“We Win as a community, as a culture”; African-Caribbean artists shine at the 2024 JUNO Awards

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“We win as a community, as a culture…”

These are the words of back-to-back Juno Award Winner Kirk Diamond in his acceptance speech last year at the JUNO Awards, and let me say this community, we won this year.

Music fans, this year’s JUNO Awards were in Halifax, and the highly anticipated return to Atlantic Canada promised a week filled with electrifying performances, exciting events, and well-deserved honours culminating with the 53^rd Annual JUNO Awards at Scotiabank Centre on Sunday, March 24^th, 2024.

From March 21^st– 24^th, 2024, the city of Halifax came alive with JUNO Week programming, which offered fans a chance to experience the rich diversity of Canadian music up close. Returning were signature JUNO events such as: The JUNO Comedy Show Presented by SiriusXM Canada, JUNO Songwriters’ Circle Presented by SOCAN and FACTOR in association with Music Publishers Canada, and JUNO Stories from the Studio with more to be announced soon.

Additionally, JUNOfest, presented by CBC Music, hit the streets during JUNO Weekend. This two-day music festival transformed over 10 venues across the city, to showcase local musical talent and the 2024 JUNO Award nominees.

This year, legendary singer, songwriter, and pop superstar, Nelly Furtado hosted the awards for the second time since her iconic 2007 debut in Saskatoon. Renowned for her hugely successful albums: Loose, Whoa Nelly, and Folklore, the 10-time JUNO winner treated fans to a performance, and girl that silver, sparkly outfit; YES!.

For three electrifying nights, the first-ever JUNO Block Party Presented by FACTOR featured a diverse range of Canadian talent and emerging artists who commanded the spotlight and delivered unforgettable performances.

Community, I want you to take some time to hail up some of the artists who represented us this year at the JUNO Awards.

• Rap Album/EP of the Year (Panic, Tobi)
• Contemporary R&B recording of the year (Never Enough, Daniel Caesar)
• Reggae recording of the year (Dread, Kirk Diamond & MC DJ Finn)
• “Rush Dem,” Omega Mighty feat. 4Korners, Haviah Mighty
• Contemporary Christian/gospel album of the year (Arrow, K-Anthony)
• Traditional R&B/soul recording of the year (“Hello,” Aqyila)
• Rap single of the year (“Someone I Knew,” Tobi)

I couldn’t end this article without hailing up my mentor; a man who has been representing our community for over four decades. Joining the impressive lineup of performers was 2024 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Maestro Fresh Wes. The Hip-Hop pioneer was inducted live during a special presentation and performance sponsored by TD. Known as the “Godfather of Hip-Hop,” Maestro Fresh Wes was celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to Canadian Hip-Hop as the first Canadian rap artist to achieve gold and platinum status in the country.

There are few artists who have made an impact on Canadian music history quite like the Mr. Wesley Williams. A true trailblazer, Maestro Fresh Wes’s career is studded with historic firsts. He was:

• The first Canadian rapper to break into the Billboard Top 40
• The first Canadian rap artist to receive Gold and Platinum certification
• The inaugural winner of the JUNO Award for Rap Album of the Year
• The first Rap song to be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
• The first Rap artist to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

On March 24^th, 2024, Maestro Fresh Wes made history once again. His induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame not only pays homage to his remarkable career but also positions him as the first Rap artist to join the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as the true Godfather of Canadian Hip-Hop.

Kirk Diamond you were right; we did win as a community, and we appreciate our artists for going out there and representing in fine style.

REFERENCES:

https://www.junoawards.ca/nelly-furtado/