Juno Awards 2016: 5 key moments
CBC News | Posted: April 4, 2016 9:05 AM | Last Updated: April 4, 2016
Mix of rising stars, music legends shine at 45th edition of Junos
With powerful performances, playful banter, touching tributes and funny Canadian commercials, Canadian talent was on full display Sunday for the 2016 Juno Awards.
The Weeknd steals the show
It was a hell of a night for Toronto's Abel Tesfaye, a.k.a. The Weeknd.
During Sunday's big show, he walked away with Single of the Year for hit song I Can't Feel My Face and Album of the Year for top-selling and critically acclaimed Beauty Behind the Madness. The latter was presented by a giddy Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
He also nabbed three Junos at Saturday night's untelevised event — Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.
To top it all off, he thrilled the crowd with electric live performance of Acquainted and Might Not, featuring a guest appearance by Palestinian-Canadian Juno Award-winning rapper Belly.
Buffy Sainte-Marie's spoken-word poetry jam
Buffy Sainte-Marie kicked off the show with a powerful spoken-word poetry version of her song Carry It On from Power In The Blood.
The legendary singer-songwriter took home two Junos the previous evening — Contemporary Roots Album and Aborginal Album of the Year of the Year for Power in the Blood.
Jus Reign, Offishall banter about country music
YouTube comedian Jus Reign and rapper/producer Kardinal Offishall — neither of whom are known for their country music expertise — teamed up to present the Country Music Album Award to Dean Brody for Gypsy Road.
"When we were asked to present the award for Country Music Album of the Year, we were like, of course!" said Reign.
"You can tell obviously by looking at us that country music has been a huge part of our lives," Offishal quipped, adding: "Who can deny the cultural impact of Straight Outta Camrose?"
Burton Cummings honoured
The Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings, who was inducted into into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during a Juno event on Friday, was honoured with an emotional tribute.
Alberta's own Nickleback took the stage to introduce the legendary Winnipeg singer, whose music left an indelible mark on frontman Chad Kroeger. "My mother is such a fan of Cummings, she wanted to name me Burton," he said.
After a video montage that outlined his illustrious career, Cummings walked onto the stage to a standing ovation that left him with tears in his eyes.
He dedicated his award to Winnipeg before paying tribute to his late mother, who died two years ago.
"I think she's up there looking down. Look, mom! Look what I got," Cummings said.
Cummings closed out the show with an energetic performance of his greatest hits.
The commercials
Much like the Super Bowl, the Junos garnered almost as much attention for its commercials as for the show itself.
Specifically, a series of Google Play ads showing funny montages of everyday Canadians singing along to hits like The Weeknd's I Can't Feel My Face and Bryan Adams' Summer of 69.