Drake Leads Canadian Contenders For Grammys

By FYI Staff

The 2020 Grammy Awards won't feature as strong a Canadian component as in some recent years, but some of our biggest exports are back in the running for the most prestigious US music award.

Leading that group in the nominations announced this morning (Nov. 20), is Drake, cited in two categories for separate collaborative efforts. Gold Roses, a partnership with Rick Ross, is up for best rap song, and No Guidance, a collaboration with Chris Brown, is nominated in the R&B song category. Of note: the latter track was co-produced by Drake's longtime Toronto-based creative partner Noah Shebib, and both he and Drake are amongst the credited songwriters. This brings Drizzy's tally of Grammy noms to 44, though he has won just four.

Fast-rising Toronto star Jessie Reyez scored her first Grammy nod, in the urban contemporary album category, for Being Human in Public, while Daniel Caesar earns his fourth career Grammy nomination, in the best R&B performance category, for Love Again with Brandy.

Shawn Mendes' smash hit duet with Camila Cabello, Senorita, gains just one nomination, for best pop duo or group performance, and Michael Buble's Love is up for a best traditional pop vocal album. This is Mendes' third nod, and he has yet to win a Grammy. Buble earns his 12th nom, and he has taken home four trophies.

Albertan Indigenous group Northern Cree receives its ninth career Grammy nomination for When It's Cold -- Cree Round Dance Songs, competing for a best regional roots music album.

Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan and Canadian mezzo soprano Krisztina Szabó both receive a nomination in the best opera recording category for their work on the recording Benjamin: Lessons in Love & Violence.

Dan Brodbeck was a recording engineer/mixer on The Cranberries final album, In the End, which is nominated for best rock album. He's coordinator of the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College.

Belgian electronc duo Soulwax is up for best-remixed recording for the song Work It, written by Montreal electronica artist Marie Davidson.

Leading all Grammy nominees with eight is Lizzo, followed by Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish (six each) and Ariana Grande (five).

The 62nd Grammy Awards air Sunday, Jan. 26. See a full list of nominees here 

Sources: CP, The Grammys