With just two months till the 2013 JUNO Awards, this year’s Nominees were announced today and dominating this year is Carly Rae Jepsen, who has made a big splash internationally with her Hit Call Me Maybe. Jepsen is in the running to win: JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.
Although he was responsible for helping her Call Me Maybe become a major Hit virally, Justin Bieber was no match for Jepsen, but certainly not disgraced. He’s up for four JUNOs this year including: Album of the Year, JUNO Fan Choice, Artist of the Yearand Pop Album of the Year.
Up for International Album of the Year this year are Mumford & Sons (Babel), Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas, Baby), Taylor Swift (Red), One Direction (Up All Night) and Maroon 5 (Overexposed), the latter coincidentally in Toronto today on-tour.
In addition to Canada’s Cream of the Crop in Music being at Regina’s Brandt Centre on JUNO Day, Megastar Michael Bublé will be performing a brand new Single that day. Fans have been hungry for non-Christmas Music from the Crooner since his Crazy Love was released in 2009.
Complete list of Nominees click here.
Also, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada are teaming together to release a Compilation Disc containing this year’s Nominees, titled The JUNO Awards 2013 Nominee Compilation, in-stores March 19, 2013. Proceeds will go to MusiCounts, Canada’s Music Education Charity.
Tracklisting below:
1. Carly Rae Jepsen Call Me Maybe
2. Justin Bieber Boyfriend
3. Hedley Kiss You Inside Out
4. Marianas Trench Desperate Measures
5. Metric Breathing Underwater
6. Billy Talent Surprise Surprise
7. The Sheepdogs Feeling Good
8. Victoria Duffield Shut Up and Dance
9. Deadmau5 The Veldt ft. Chris James
10. Johnny Reid Dedicated to You
11. Serena Ryder Stompa
12. Big Wreck Albatross
13. Rush Headlong Flight
14. Leonard Cohen Darkness
15. Celine Dion Parler à Mon Père
16. Walk Off the Earth Somebody That I Used to Know
17. Hey Ocean! Big Blue Wave
The 2013 JUNO Awards air Sunday, April 21, 2013 on CTV.
(Photo credit: JUNOAwards.ca)
Nominees for the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards were announced at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and Kanye West, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons and fun. each tie for the lead with six nods apiece in what looks to be a wide-open year.
Pop Lovers fear not as some of the year’s biggest hits were recognized at tonight’s Nominations Concert, hosted by Taylor Swift and LL Cool J, including: Gotye‘s Somebody That I Used to Know being up for Record of the Year and our v. own Carly Rae Jepsen‘s Call Me Maybe being up for Song of the Year and Best Solo Pop Performance. In addition, Toronto was well-represented with Drake being up for three Awards including Best Rap Album for Take Care and Best Rap Song for The Motto and Best Rap Performance for HYFR. Meanwhile, Melanie Fiona is up for Best Traditional R&B Performance for Wrong Side of a Love Song.
Swift is nominated for Record of the Year with her smash Hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and also Safe & Sound (w/The Civil Wars) in the Best Country/Duo Performance category. While fellow Nashville Native Kelly Clarkson also received major recognition, garnering nods for Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) in the important Song of the Year, Record of the Year categories, while her Disc Stronger earned nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Best New Artist Nominees fun. are up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year with We Are Young (ft. Janelle Monáe), while they also are in-contention for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year with Some Nights.
For a complete list of Nominees, click here.
The 55th annual GRAMMY Awards will be held February 10, 2013 in Los Angeles at Staples Center.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It was all about Bieber at the 2012 American Music Awards held tonight in Los Angeles at Noka Theatre L.A. Live. The newly-single Canadian Teen Heartthrob took home top honours tonight winning some of the Evening’s most important Awards including Favourite Pop/Rock Artist, Favourite Pop/Rock Album and coveted Artist of the Year. Humbly, he dragged his Mother Pattie Mallette onstage to accept the latter Award, introducing her to the World and remembering to thank also his greatest Mentors, Usher and Scooter Braun. Canada was well-represented as Carly Rae Jepsen also won Favourite New Artist.
The Stars came out in full force including performances from P!nk, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, Usher, No Doubt, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Wanted and a dazzling display of showmanship from PSY featuring a surprise appearance from former AMAs Winner, MC Hammer.
The Winners tonight are as follows:
Hey, Sexy Lady! Korean Megastar PSY cut it awful close, but would not let a little setback like Hurricane Sandy get between him and his Fans. The Rapper/Singer known best in these parts for his Smash Hit Gangnam Style, originally was scheduled to arrive last night in Toronto, but due to flight cancellations amidst the Storm – which has crippled much of the U.S. East Coast – he opted for an overnight flight in from New York City.
Currently sitting ever so patiently at Number Two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, PSY is working hard for that elusive Number One, although Canadian Fans have not been shy with their support, making Gangnam Style the number one Song in the Country on the Canadian Hot 100. The Viral Sensation who currently is under the guidance of Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen) and also Universal Music Canada, is set to make an appearance to Kool Haus tonight to launch the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, a Party which Fans clamoured to get Tickets for on Facebook last week. Five lucky Fans tonight will be dancing his way to PSY‘s heart, winning a chance to meet him and also an Autograph.
Although he was v. focused on work at the Bell Media Building earlier today with Interviews scheduled for eTalk, MuchMusic and also The Marilyn Denis Show, he took a couple moments out to re-energize with a Cigarette Break after an early start to his day which saw him visit Virgin Radio 99.9 and also KISS 92.5 prior. Myself and another lucky Fan were extremely thrilled to be called over by his Handler. Appearing a bit tired, PSY was more than gracious, looking impeccable in his gray Blazer to snap a couple Photos.
I am thrilled to offer my Readers a chance to win a Photo signed by PSY! To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. You should also be following on Twitter. All are welcome to enter a chance to win this v. rare Prize! Your deadline is December 1, 2012. Good luck.
Watch a quick Clip of PSY on his Break earlier. The Audio Commentary is hilarious!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Don’t be fooled by the short-shorts and girly bangs, Carly Rae Jepsen is a Naughty Girl. Jepsen‘s debut major label Disc Kiss, however has never made being bad sound so good with its Seduce-your-Boyfriend Lyrics. I mean, we’ve already heard what she has to offered in her Collaboration with Owl City in Good Time and we liked it and need I mention Billboard Magazine‘s 2012 Song of the Summer, Call Me Maybe? Surely all involved with Project Jepsen are aware of the dangers of One-Hit Wonderdom and have safeguarded themselves here with twelve slick offerings, most even more polished than the Hit that placed the British Columbia Cutie on our radars.
I am v. fond of the Disc’s Title Track This Kiss, oddly reminiscent in chord structure to the Pop Excellence that is Katy Perry‘s Teenage Dream without sounding like it melodically. I much prefer also the amped-up version of Curiosity heard here making the Canadian Radio Edit sound like a Demo, featuring additional Production by Dallas Austin. More than a Memory has that sweet melancholy which Robyn has so well mastered on her own Hits like Dancing on my Own and what would a contemporary Pop Disc be without a contribution from the Master himself, Max Martin? Tonight I’m Getting Over You‘s hard-hitting Chorus will get you up off your feet in no time. Not keen on the Justin Bieber Duet Beautiful – never finding its best stride in terms of vocal chemistry – but one cannot fault her for using every resource possible to assert her standing as a Pop Superstar. Now is the time.
Welcome to the Big Time, Carly Rae Jepsen – you’ve earned it. Universal Music Canada releases Kiss – in stores now.
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