Anne Murray, Nelly Furtado and Punjabi fusion highlight Junos, with Oshawa’s Daniel Caesar winning for second time

It was a night of glitz and glamour in Halifax, with music legend and Nova Scotia icon Anne Murray on hand to present the first award and get the ceilidh started at Sunday’s Juno Awards.

It was a night of firsts, with Aysanabee winning for Alternative Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year – the first Indigenous artist to win that category – Talk (who performed at the event) winning Breakthrough Artist of the Year for his hit single ‘Run Away to Mars,’ Karan Aujla sailing to a TikTok Fan Choice win on the growing popularity of the Punjabi-Canadian fusion of hip-hop, pop and mainstream sounds, and Maestro Fresh Wes betting inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Born Wesley Williams, the artist whose biggest hit was ‘Let Your Backbone Slide.’ becomes the first hip-hop member of the Hall.

It was also a night of seconds, as Oshawa’s Daniel Caesar, who was nominated in five categories, earned his second JUNO for Contemporary R&B Recording

Montreal’s Charlotte Cardin, who led all artists in nominations with six, scored album of the year and Pop Album of the Year for her ‘99 Nights,’ while Tate McRae captured Artist of the Year and Single of the Year. Tobi snagged wins in both Rap categories while Producer of the Year and Engineer of the Year awards both went to Shawn Everett, who produced Miley Cyrus’ smash hit, ‘I Used to be Young.’

Singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado performed and hosted the event, while Murray’s surprise guest appearance had Canada’s favourite ‘Snowbird’ presenting Group of the Year to The Beaches, denying Hamilton’s Arkells their seventh win the in the category.

Pop sisters Tegan and Sara were also honoured for their work with LGBTQ+ youth and were presented the humanitarian award by actor Elliot Page. Page and the sisters took the opportunity to call out a recent trend in politics that threatens trans youth.

JUNO host and performer Nelly Furtado