Many corners of Canada鈥檚 diverse musical landscape will be represented at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in one of the strongest and most eclectic showings in recent memory.
Whether it鈥檚 global superstars, classical artists or behind-the-scenes creators, the homegrown nominees representing this year cover an array of genres and styles.
Pop music audio engineer and mixer Serban Ghenea leads the pack with seven nominations, while rapper Drake and folk singer Allison Russell each have four.
Most of the 94 Grammy categories, including many awards with Canadian nominees, are handed out at a pre-telecast ceremony which streams live on Grammy.com.
The 66th Grammy Awards hosted by Trevor Noah airs on Citytv and CBS.
Here are five Canadian things to watch for:
THE LEADER:
Since Ghenea already has an incredible 19 Grammys on his mantle, he may need to invest in another shelf after this year鈥檚 ceremony. As the top Canadian nominee, the Romania-born, Canada-raised pop wizard ends up competing against himself in several categories for different projects. In record of the year, his efforts making Taylor Swift鈥檚 鈥淎nti-Hero,鈥� Olivia Rodrigo鈥檚 鈥淰ampire鈥� and Jon Batiste鈥檚 鈥淲orship鈥� are all chasing the title. For album of the year, he鈥檚 named for Swift鈥檚 鈥淢idnights鈥� and Rodrigo鈥檚 鈥淕uts.鈥� And in the best pop dance recording category, he has two hits with DJ and producer David Guetta that are vying for a trophy.
THE SURPRISE:
With nine Grammy wins, it鈥檚 a shock that Joni Mitchell has never performed at the big show. But the 80-year-old singer-songwriter will soon cross that experience off her list after organizers confirmed her participation in a surprise announcement a few days ago. There鈥檚 much secrecy around whether other notable musicians might join Mitchell on stage. Since the Grammys love a live collaboration, and she鈥檚 one of music鈥檚 most legendary living performers, there鈥檚 likely a long list of willing participants. Mitchell is also nominated in the best folk album category for a live album recorded in June 2022 as she returned to the stage following years of health setbacks. It competes with 鈥淔olkocracy鈥� from fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.
THE RISING STAR:
While Allison Russell has been lauded by critics and showered with Grammy nominations in recent years, she鈥檚 yet to win one of the golden honours. That could change as she holds four nominations for 鈥淭he Returner.鈥� Her second record is up for best Americana album, while the title track is in the running for best Americana performance, as well as American roots song. Her song 鈥淓ve Was Black鈥� is among the nominees for American roots performance.
THE RETURN:
It鈥檚 not exactly a full-fledged Grammys comeback, but Drake appears to be softening his stance against the awards show. After several years of boycotting by not submitting his solo material for consideration, the Toronto artist garnered four nominations for tracks from his 2022 album. Here鈥檚 the catch 鈥� they鈥檙e technically all collaborations since his album 鈥淗er Loss鈥� was created in partnership with Atlanta rapper 21 Savage. Drake鈥檚 nods are in categories for best rap album, melodic rap performance, rap song and rap performance. The real test for whether he and the Grammys make amends will be next year when 鈥淔or All the Dogs,鈥� his latest solo album, is eligible for consideration.
THE OTHERS:
Among the first-time Grammy contenders is Toronto band Alvvays, who landed a nomination for best alternative music performance with their indie hit 鈥淏elinda Says.鈥� Montreal conductor and pianist Yannick N茅zet-S茅guin looks to extend his three wins with another two nominations in classical categories.
There鈥檚 also Halifax-raised Henry Walter, known as producer Cirkut, who chases his second trophy with Disclosure鈥檚 鈥淗igher Than Ever Before,鈥� up for best dance/electronic recording. Niagara Falls, Ont.-native Joel Zimmerman, who performs as Deadmau5, splits his nomination with U.S. producer Kaskade on their effort 鈥淜x5,鈥� which is up for best dance or electronic album.
Rounding out the nominee highlights are William Shatner鈥檚 audiobook, Toronto hip-hop and jazz outfit Badbadnotgood in the remix category and Victoria-based metal band Spiritbox, whose 鈥淛aded鈥� holds a spot for best metal performance.
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