Changes in several categories at the 2025 Juno Awards are raising concerns among musicians that Canada’s top music celebration is moving back on inclusivity.
Jason Wilson, a two-time Juno nominee and adjunct professor of music at the University of Guelph, says a decision to remove the reggae category from next year’s Junos could only “set off red flags of racism.”
“There’s a lot of anger among us reggae people,” Wilson said in a telephone interview.
“While the Junos may say the right things about inclusivity, they omit reggae and gospel in the same breath. How can this be reconciled?”
Wilson, who has published a book on the history of Canadian reggae music, says the genre is intrinsically linked to the country and “had a huge effect on the way all music was played in Canada.”
Jamaican immigrants brought the sound to Toronto in the 1960s and 1970s, he said, and within a few years its popularity made it essential for the city’s working musicians to know how to play reggae.
“I think there is a very compelling argument that there is no Drake and no Weeknd without reggae, so fundamental is this music to Canadian music in general,” he added.
Wilson suggested that Junos organizers appeared to ignore that when they decided to sideline the category at next year’s ceremony.
In a letter obtained by The Canadian Press this week, the Junos told committee members about plans to host “hiatus” reggae recordings, children’s albums, Christian/gospel albums and international album of the year awards.
Junos organizers declined requests to detail or explain the changes, saying they “will have additional information to share in the coming weeks.”
That lack of recognition has frustrated musicians and industry players who say Junos organizers at the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences have chosen to remain silent on major changes just weeks before entries open for the 2025 awards.
Some of those artists planned to classify their latest albums into categories that they now know won’t exist in the qualifying year of work.
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K-Anthony, the most recent Christian/gospel album winner, is one of those artists. His latest record is scheduled for release in October, which would qualify him for next year’s Junos.
He said removing a specific Juno category reduces the diversity of genres the awards celebrate.
“I’m saddened,” the musician, born Kevin Fowler, added.
“I’ve seen how (my win) has raised my profile. I didn’t take that for granted.”
His upcoming music video for the single “Blessing” was even a tribute to the Junos in a way. In the background of one recording are the music awards he has collected, Fowler said, including the Juno he won earlier this year.
“I showed that I am grateful,” he added.
“Removing this category will impact the hope people would have had to strive and work for greatness.”
The Juno Awards regularly review the structure and composition of the event’s accolades, sometimes splitting an umbrella genre into two categories – for example, traditional and contemporary roots albums.
Last year, the Junos presented awards in 47 categories spanning musical genres, as well as a comedy album award and several technical prizes. At the Grammy Awards, to which the Junos are often compared, trophies were awarded in 94 categories.
Seven-time reggae nominee Ammoye noted that Juno recognition means more than just winning.
The attention alone from a nomination has boosted her profile. Every year, national news media interviews her at the Juno nominations media event in Toronto, and photographers capture her red carpet outfits at the Juno Awards ceremony.
Without a nomination, no media coverage is guaranteed.
She also pointed out the incomparable value of a week of industry events leading up to the main broadcast.
“To be in the room with people that you otherwise wouldn’t have… that’s an opportunity that I always look forward to as well, to network and collaborate and collaborate with these people,” she said.
The Jamaican-Canadian musician, born Shernette Amoy Evans, said she is hopeful the Junos are planning a “recalibration” that will find another home for reggae artists.
“It’s shocking to me too, but I’m not surprised,” she added.
“I feel like we need a little change and shake-up.”
Children’s duo Splash’N Boots, who have won two Junos, expressed shock at the decision to hold back a category that had just celebrated its 45th year at the awards.
“The kids category is so important for kids,” says Nick Adams, who performs as Splash.
“It inspires them; it is their first introduction to music. And by removing this category, I feel like it takes away from the value of the music for children.”
His partner Taes Leavitt, known as Boots, added that having a children’s category at a major music awards ceremony was an important gesture.
“It reinforces the fact that children’s music is important too, and this takes that away,” she said.
The uncertainty over the fate of the categories also caught the attention of children’s entertainer Fred Penner, who has won four Junos.
“I would be disappointed, to say the least, if these categories are actually eliminated, as Canadian reggae, Christian and children’s artists already receive less support and recognition than their mainstream counterparts,” he said in a statement released Tuesday.
“I look forward to clarification from the Juno Awards on what their long-term intentions are for these categories.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
