the weeknd
#JUNOS: THE WEEKND, TATE MCRAE AND AVRIL LAVIGNE LEAD 2023 JUNO AWARD NOMINATIONS
The nominees for The 52nd Annual JUNO Awards were announced today by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) at a press conference attended by media and industry notables inside the CBC’s Canadian Broadcasting Centre, in downtown Toronto. This year’s winners will be unveiled in Edmonton, Alberta at The JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 11 and The JUNO Awards Broadcast on Monday, March 13, 2023 broadcasting live on CBC and produced by Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker company.
CARAS also revealed today that three more of this year’s nominees will join the lineup of performers taking the stage at The JUNO Awards Broadcast – award-winning rock band Alexisonfire (Rock Album of the Year*), multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter Aysanabee (Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year*) and multi-platinum R&B powerhouse Jessie Reyez (Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year and Music Video of the Year*).
“The JUNO Awards will provide an unparalleled platform for our friends in Edmonton to highlight some of our most talented artists and celebrate the richness and diversity of the Canadian music scene,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “As a proud supporter and partner of Ontario’s music sector, our government congratulates all nominees for the 2023 awards.”
For a complete list and biographies of all nominees and more information on The 2023 JUNO Awards, please visit junoawards.ca. Rewatch the full 2023 JUNO Nominee Announcement Presented by Ontario Creates at CBCMusic.ca/junos.
Canada’s biggest night in music, hosted for the second year by global superstar Simu Liu, will broadcast and stream live across the country from Rogers Place in Edmonton at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.
2023 JUNO Award Nominations
Canada’s Starboy The Weeknd sweeps this year’s nominations with a total of six including: TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year,* Artist of the Year,* Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of The Year. Pop punk legend Avril Lavigne and Albertan singer-songwriter Tate McRae followed with five nominations each, showcasing the enormous talent that reinforces Canada’s global reach. Avril is nominated for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year,* Artist of the Year* and Pop Album of The Year; while Tate is up for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year,* Songwriter of the Year* and Pop Album of The Year.
First-time nominees honoured with three nominations include acclaimed singer/songwriter Preston Pablo for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year and Breakthrough Artist Of The Year*; and dance-pop icon Rêve for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Breakthrough Artist Of The Year* and Dance Recording Of The Year. Canadian rapper NAV also takes home three nominations for Album of the Year,* Rap Album/EP of The Year and Rap Single of the Year; alongside internationally celebrated singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year and Artist of the Year*; and country music duo The Reklaws for TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, Group of the Year* and Country Album of the Year*.
The host province of Alberta is also well represented with first time nominations going to Altameda for Adult Alternative Album of the Year*; Anthony Tan for Classical Composition of the Year; The Bearhead Sisters and Cikwes for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year; Devon Cole for Breakthrough Artist of the Year;* The Ostara Project for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, Tehillah Worship for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year; Rare Americans for Breakthrough Group of the Year* and WAKE for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year.
MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS and The JUNO Awards, will recognize one Canadian music educator’s impact not only on students, but also their community and the music education field, through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by CST Foundation. The 2023 nominees are Jewel Casselman (Winnipeg, MB, Lakewood School), Susan Evoy (St. John’s, NL, St. Teresa’s Elementary & Waterford Valley High School), Stephen Richardson (Yellowknife, NWT, École St. Joseph School), Kelly Stronach (Guelph, ON, Mitchell Woods Public School) and Heidi Wood (Calgary, AB, Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School).
New JUNO Award Performers Announced
Lighting up the stage is Alexisonfire, who will stun crowds with their amped up show for the second time since their inaugural JUNO performance in 2007. The band recently released their long-anticipated and first full-length album in over 13 years, Otherness, described as their most cohesive and self-actualized record to date. Otherness debuted at #2 on the Top 20 Music Canada album chart and the band’s single “Sans Soleil” hit #2 on Rock Radio in Canada. The post-hardcore luminaries have sold over one million records and released five hugely successful studio albums, with four achieving Platinum-certification.
Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class alumni, Aysanabee, will make his JUNO Awards debut with a performance showcasing his striking sound and powerful voice. Since releasing his deeply moving debut album Watin in 2022, Aysanabee has been named a CBC Music Breakthrough Artist of the Year. His acclaimed single “Nomads” hit #1 on CBC Music’s Top 20 and continues to climb, entering the Top 10 on Mediabase Canada’s Alternative radio chart. His soulful track “We Were Here,” charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown and was featured on the hit ABC series Station 19.
The four-time JUNO Award winning superstar, Jessie Reyez will help celebrate this year’s nominees as she returns to share a soulful live performance with audiences in Edmonton. This past September, Reyez released her sophomore album, YESSIE, which chronicles the journey and range of emotions from love and loss to healing, closure and happiness. The GRAMMY Award-nominated artist’s recent success includes her debut album reaching Top 5 on Billboard’s R&B Album Chart and amassing over 1.2 billion global streams. Reyez also earned the title of Top Female Debut Album and Top R&B Album of 2020 for Before Love Came To Kill Us, and made a cameo in Beyonce’s Black is King visual album.
These artists join previously announced acts AP Dhillon, Banx & Ranx, Preston Pablo and Rêve together in a collaborative performance, Nickelback, Tate McRae and Tenille Townes.
*Award Sponsors for The 2023 JUNO Awards include: Adult Alternative Album of the Year Presented by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Breakthrough Artist of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, Breakthrough Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, Comedy Album of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year Presented by Destination Indigenous, Country Album of the Year Presented by Edmonton’s Best Hotels, Group of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada, Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Presented by Audio-Technica, Music Video of the Year Presented by YouTube, Rock Album of the Year Presented by Amii – Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Songwriter of the Year Presented by SOCAN and TikTok JUNO Fan Choice.
#NEWMUSIC: “TAKE MY BREATH”
The Weeknd is back with another amazing throwback Summer jam in TAKE MY BREATH! The new Video for the Track has just premiered, directed by Cliqua. The Track will be on his upcoming fifth Studio Disc.
The Song is available now here.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF “BLACK PANTHER THE ALBUM”
We’ve all been waiting eagerly for Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada, Universal Music Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Canada the exciting chance to win a copy of BLACK PANTHER THE ALBUM! Produced by internationally-celebrated superstar Kendrick Lamar and Billboard Magazine’s Executive of the Year Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, the Album features a star-studded roster of talent including SZA, Khalid, James Blake, Future, Travis Scott and Canada’s own The Weeknd!
About The Film
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
See the Trailer:
Track Listing:
1. “Black Panther” – Kendrick Lamar
2. “All The Stars” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
3. “X” – Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz and Saudi
4. “The Ways” – Khalid and Swae Lee
5. “Opps” – Vince Staples and Yugen Blakrok
6. “I Am” – Jorja Smith
7. “Paramedic!” – SOB X RBE
8. “Bloody Waters” – Ab-Soul, Anderson .Paak and James Blake
9. “King’s Dead” – Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake
10. Redemption Interlude
11. “Redemption” – Zacari and Babes Wodumo
12. “Seasons” – Mozzy, Sjava and Reason
13. “Big Shot” – Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott
14. “Pray For Me” – Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd
Artwork for BLACK PANTHER THE ALBUM:
If you haven’t checked-out the incredible Single PRAY FOR ME by Kendrick Lamar and The Weekend, you can listen here.
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Indicate your City and Re-Tweet for an extra chance from the official contest Tweet at @mrwillw. Canadian Readers only, please.
Universal Music Canada release BLACK PANTHER THE ALBUM Friday, February 9, 2018.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Music/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
©Disney
#NEWMUSIC: KENDRICK LAMAR FT. THE WEEKND – “PRAY FOR ME” (FROM “BLACK PANTHER”)
LWe’re all pumped for it! Though BLACK PANTHER isn’t out for a couple more weeks here’s the leas single from its Soundtrack to set the mood! PRAY FOR ME has Grammy Winners Kendrick Lamar and Canada’s The Weeknd pairing together and the Track is as epic as the Movie itself we’re hearing!
Check it out:
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release BLACK PANTHER Friday, February 16, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada/Universal Music Group)
#GRAMMYS: BRUNO MARS WINS TOP HONOURS AT 2018 GRAMMYS
BRUNO MARS took home top honours at the 60th annual GRAMMY Awards. The Hawaiian-born Singer/Songwriter for his Tracks 24K Magic, That’s What I Like and Album 24K Magic, won Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album.
Mars says, pleading not to be cut-off during his speech in which he recalls performing at the age of 15, “Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley wrote many of the songs I’d be singing. I remember people who’d never met each from two sides of the globe all would be dancing and all I wanted to do with this Album was to see everybody dancing and everybody moving. I’d like to dedicate this award to my heroes, these teachers who laid down the foundation.”.
See his performance with Cardi B on the Remix to Finesse:
Taking place in New York City this year, the GRAMMYs took place at Madison Square Garden after having been in Los Angeles for the past 14 years. Funnyman James Corden filled hosting duties and his parents Malcolm and Margaret even came out again to support him, joking they snuck-out to see Hamilton while the show was going on! New York native and 14-time Grammy Winner Alicia Keys stated upon presenting Record of the Year to Bruno Mars, “I love it better when the GRAMMYS are in New York”, drawing applause from the crowd.
Other big winners from the evening included Bruno Mars‘ labelmate Ed Sheeran who won Best Pop Solo Performance for smash hit Shape of You and also Best Pop Vocal Album for ÷.
GRAMMY Darling Kendrick Lamar won Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video for HUMBLE. and his Rihanna Collaboration LOYALTY. won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. His Disc DAMN. won Best Rap Album.
Canada saw The Weeknd win for Best Contemporary R&B Album with his top-selling Starboy Disc, while national icon Leonard Cohen post-humously won for Best Rock Performance with You Want it Darker. Our Alessia Cara won coveted Best New Artist and while her version of How Far I’ll Go didn’t win for Best Song for Visual Media, the Moana Theme sung by Auli’i Cravalho would go on to win.
Lady Gaga was on early with a fantastic acoustic Medley of A Million Reasons and Joanne:
Kesha would make a return to the GRAMMYs after a few years away delivering her nominated Praying with the help of Cyndi Lauper, Bebe Rexha, Camila Cabello, Andra Day and more:
While it was announced recently that Elton John soon will retire following his upcoming Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, Miley Cyrus would join him on-stage for a rendition of Tiny Dancer:
After feuding for many years after a fallout in the ’90s, Broadway legend Patti Lupone would take the stage to perform Don’t Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA for Composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, who was being honoured this evening for his achievements. Lupone performed the same song at the 1981 GRAMMYs. See the performance:
Click here for a complete list of Winners.
(Photo/video credit: CBS/Getty Images)
#NEWMUSIC: LANA DEL REY FT. THE WEEKND – “LUST FOR LIFE”
This brand new titular single from Lana Del Rey’s upcoming fifth album Lust for Life gives us high hopes. A lush, multi-tiered ode to young love, the collaboration with Toronto’s The Weeknd really takes us away and if we might say so, is the strongest of their recent pairings including a couple tracks off his Starboy disc.
Listen below:
(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Group)
#SPOTTED: SELENA GOMEZ LEAVING TORONTO AFTER A ‘SLEEKND’ WITH THE WEEKND
They’ve got us all talking! Selena Gomez after a few blissful days in Toronto which included renting out a VIP Theatre to watch a Movie, Ripley’s Aquarium, grub at The Diner (Thompson Hotel) and shopping in Yorkville with boyfriend, Toronto’s pride and joy The Weeknd, quietly left the City this evening with her bodyguard by her side. Checking-in quietly at the Toronto Pearson International Airport – she flies first-class of course – she quietly queued the Nexus line.
A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
#OSCARS: LISTEN TO ALL 2016 OSCARS “BEST ORIGINAL SONG” NOMINEES
Yes, you’ve seen the Movies in time for Awards Season, but what about the great songs featured in them? Up for Best Original Song at next months’ Academy Awards are these five finalists. Spanning from the institution of James Bond to a much-talked-about BDSM Romance to a gripping Documentary about College Rape, these songs are a cross-section of the diverse Films we saw in 2015.
WRITING’S ON THE WALL (SPECTRE) – SAM SMITH
TIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU (THE HUNTING GROUND) – LADY GAGA
EARNED IT (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) – THE WEEKND
MANTA RAY (RACING EXTINCTION) – J. RALPH + ANTONY
SIMPLE SONG #3 (YOUTH) – SUMI JO
The 88th ACADEMY AWARDS air 7 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 on ABC.
(Photo credit: Sony Music/Universal Music/Milan Records/Rumor Mill Records)
#SPOTTED: STARS IN TORONTO FOR 2015 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS
Now in its 25th year, the MuchMusic Video Awards have been an annual “Look-Forward-To” for Toronto Music Fans for as long as I can remember. Although focus in recent years to adapt to a changing economic climate, has turned towards Young Adult TV Programming versus its traditional format of Music Videos mostly, MuchMusic still manages to pull together a Who’s-Who every year. Okay, we admit the huge marquee names haven’t been there in recent years like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Rihanna or Miley Cyrus, but few are complaining about this year’s Host, Ed Sheeran, due to fly-in tomorrow to fulfill his duties, all while balancing his x Tour.
Arriving in the City today were a mix of Presenters, who will grace the open Queen Street stage including Bella Thorne, Gregg Sulkin, Hailee Steinfeld, Debbie Ryan, Tyler Posey and Supermodel Gigi Hadid. Although many were looking forward to seeing her present, Ashley Benson, Star of Pretty Little Liars and Pixels, had to cancel. Thorne and Sulkin have been said to be dating in recent months and just may be seen tomorrow on the Carpet debuting as a Couple. Meanwhile Hadid, who has been tired to Joe Jonas after being spotted together here a couple weeks back, flew solo. Her sister Bella already is in the City with her Scarborough-native Boyfriend, The Weeknd, who will be appearing on tomorrow’s broadcast.
Thorne and Hadid created the greatest fandemonium, with Fans circling them for a shot at a Selfie and most would succeed, some even scoring multiples.. with tongues sticking out, peace signs, duckyface. You get the picture…
See our Snaps:
Gigi Hadid:
Debbie Ryan:
Hailee Steinfeld:
Bella Thorne:
Gregg Sulkin:
Tyler Posey:
The 2015 MuchMusic Video Awards air on MuchMusic at 9 PM EST. More here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S BEST-OF 2014 CELEB SELFIES, CELEB SNAPS, FILMS + SINGLES
Let’s be real. We can never have enough Celeb Selfies! 2014 was a year I’ll never forget and will forever go down as one of our most star-studded yet! Our travels brought us to L.A. and New York, but our most exciting adventures took place here in our Hometown of Toronto! Let’s take a walk down our star-studded memory lane to some of our fave Celeb moments of 2014!
Who were you most excited to see? The red-hot Benedict Cumberbatch? The private Usher? The iconic Tom Cruise? The adorable Anna Kendrick? “It Boy” Ansel Elgort? How about “It Girl” Shailene Woodley? The incredibly-tough Reese Witherspoon? The irresistible Tom Hardy?!
Also, we want to share with you some of our fave of the several thousand Celeb Snaps we took in 2014! Chances are if there was a major Star in-town this year, we at some point snapped them!
2014 will go down as one of the strongest years for Cinema in recent memory, but which Movies rocked our World? And which Singles ruled our iPod? You’re about to find out!
Re-live some of our Fave Celeb Selfies of 2014 (click HD for better quality):
TOP PHOTOS:
Tinashe, Tattoo Rock Parlour
Rachel McAdams at Canada’s Walk of Fame
Ryan Reynolds + Peter Fonda at Canada’s Walk of Fame
Tove Lo, The Phoenix
Robert Pattinson at the NKPR IT Lounge, TIFF ’14
Channing Tatum, TIFF ’14
Steve Carell, TIFF ’14
Denzel Washington, TIFF ’14
Felicity Jones, TIFF ’14
Kevin Costner, TIFF ’14
Adam Sandler, TIFF ’14
Robert Downey Jr., TIFF ’14
Tom Hardy, TIFF ’14
Ian Somerhalder, Fan Expo 2014
Elijah Wood, Fan Expo 2014
Norman Reedus, Fan Expo 2014
Shawn Mendes, Universal Music Canada
One Direction, Where We Are Tour
5 Seconds of Summer, Summer 2014
Daniel Radcliffe + Zoe Kazan, The F Word Toronto Premiere
Katy Perry, Prismatic World Tour
Lady Gaga, Artrave Tour
Charlie Sheen, Joe Carter Classic Afterparty
Gordon Lightfoot, SOCAN Awards
Missy Peregrym + Charlotte Sullivan, Shaw Media Upfronts
Charlie Barnett + Jesse Lee Soffer, Shaw Media Upfronts
Stephen Amell, Bell Media Upfronts
Kirsten Vangsness, Bell Media Upfronts
Elizabeth Henstridge, Bell Media Upfronts
Katie Holmes, Met Gala, NYC
Blake + Ryan, Met Gala, NYC
Hugh Jackman, Met Gala, NYC
Lily Aldridge + Kate Upton, Met Gala, NYC
Dakota Johnson (50 Shades of Grey), Met Gala, NYC
Marion Cotillard, Met Gala, NYC
Joshua Jackson + Diane Kruger, Met Gala, NYC
Zac Efron, NYC
Iggy Azalea, The New Classic Tour
Cher, D2K Tour
Miley Cyrus, Bangerz Tour
Katheryn Winnick, Canadian Screen Awards
Martin Short, Canadian Screen Awards
Shay Mitchell, Canadian Screen Awards
Maria Bello, David Cronenberg + Viggo Mortensen, Canadian Screen Awards
Laura Vandervoort + Olivier Trevena, Canada’s Stars of the Awards Season Gala, L.A.
Ellen Wong, Canada’s Stars of the Awards Season Gala, L.A.
TOP FILMS:
1. WHIPLASH
2. GONE GIRL
3. NIGHTCRAWLER
4. WILD
5. BIRDMAN
6. THE IMITATION GAME
7. FOXCATCHER
8. THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
9. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
10. THE LEGO MOVIE
Perhaps under-seen, WHIPLASH is the one Film you absolutely must see this year. J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller will shatter your World with their performances! You’ll leave shaken and sobered.
TOP SINGLES
1. ALL ABOUT THAT BASS – Meghan Trainor
2. BLANK SPACE – Taylor Swift
3. WEST COAST – Lana Del Rey
4. BOOM CLAP – Charli XCX
5. POMPEII – Bastille
6. STAY WITH ME – Sam Smith
7. SHE LOOKS SO PERFECT – 5 Seconds of Summer
8. COUNTING STARS – OneRepublic
9. SHAKE IT OFF – Taylor Swift
10. SAY SOMETHING – A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera
2014 was all about that bass for us. Meghan Trainor blew our mind with her positive message about body image. We’re sold and extremely excited for her 2015 full-length Debut.
Won’t you join us as we embark on more exciting adventures in Entertainment 2015? Also stay tuned for an upcoming Post where our Contributors Jonathan Godfrey, Justin Waldman, David Baldwin and George Kozera share their fave Films of 2014 too!
Happy Holidays, Willionaire$!
Photos Post-TIFF ’14 taken on Nikon D3300. Photos pre-TIFF ’14 taken on Olympus E-PL5/Samsung S4.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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