• 2012 JUNO Awards Show Recap

    by  • April 2, 2012 • News • 0 Comments

    2012 JUNO Awards

    This weekend, the 41st annual JUNO Awards Ceremony was held in the nation’s capital of Ottawa. Aside from being an assemblage of Who’s-Who in the local music biz, the JUNOS have long been a source of discord in the Canadian music industry, where it seems that many are divided on the integrity of the awards show. From The Rascalz’ famous award rejection in 1998 to K-os’s 2007 on-stage “existential crisis”, The JUNOS have certainly earned a reputation for being memorable, if nothing else. The Toronto Sun called this year’s JUNOS “just plain weird,” stating “From the presence of 81-year-old hambone host William “I wanna rock!!” Shatner (and the absence of major international celebrities) to the bizarre comedy bits and inexplicable award choices, this year’s event easily ranks as one of the weirdest JUNO nights in recent memory.” From Saturday’s awards ceremony to Sunday’s televised broadcast, this year’s JUNOS may have lacked any of the serious faux pas we’ve seen in the past, but that don’t mean this year’s show is exempt from commentary!

    Read on to get the full scoop on Sunday’s award winners, pictures, and politics:

    Fans at the 2012 Juno Awards in Ottawa (Photograph by Patrick Doyle, Reuters)

    Despite not being present to accept his award, Drake won the title for Rap Recording of the Year for his platinum sophomore release, Take Care, beating out names like Kardinal Offishall, D-Sisive, Classified, and Swollen Members. Melanie Fiona took home the award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year with her single “Gone and Never Coming Back” off her latest release, The MF Life, outshining recent singles by JRDN, Jully Black, Karl Wolf, and Robin Thicke. Reggae Recording of the Year went to Exco Levi for “Bleaching Shop”, outriding efforts from Dubmatix, Jay Douglas, Steele, and Tanya Mullings. Noah “40″ Shebib was nominated for Producer of the Year for his work on Drake’s Take Care, but was beaten out by Brian Howes, the man behind hits by groups like Hedley and Nickelback.

    Kardinal Offishall at the 2012 Juno Awards (Photograph by Patrick Doyle, REUTERS)

    D-Sisive at the 2012 Juno Awards (Photograph by Chris Mikula, Ottawa Citizen)

    Deadmau5 at the 2012 Juno Awards (Photograph by Patrick Doyle, Reuters)

    Not surprisingly, The Biebs took home Fan Choice Award, beating out names like Drake, Deadmau5, and Michael Bublé despite the latter’s victory in the Album of the Year category for his 2011 holiday album CHRISTMAS. Single of the Year was essentially a toss-up of soft rock acts including City and Colour, Hedley, and Nickelback, with The Sheepdogs taking home the title for their hit single “I Don’t Know”. British belle Adele punked both Lady Gaga and Rihanna for International Album of the Year with her sophomore release, 21, while songstress Feist picked up the award for Artist of the Year.

    The night also included live performances by Simple Plan, K’naan, and Nickelback, who attempted to get back into Canadian’s good graces with their flaming pyrotechnic show. Other performers included Hedley, Feist, Deadmau5, Lights, and MC Flipside, among others. If you missed the show, check out some footage from Deadmau5 and Light’s set below.

    Nickelback performing live at the 2012 JUNO Awards (Photograph by CP Images)

    K'naan & Pierre Bouvier performing live at the 2012 JUNO Awards

    Check out what Canadians across the country had to say about the 2012 Juno Awards, and join the conversation by tweeting @CONNECTDADOT:

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