Hamilton played host to one of the most memorable nights in Canadian music history as the 55th annual Juno Awards unfolded over two evenings. More than 40 awards were handed out at the March 28 gala, setting the stage for the live broadcast the following night — and the night belonged to one artist above all others.
Tate McRae’s Historic Sweep
If there was a defining story of the evening, it was Tate McRae’s extraordinary clean sweep of the night’s biggest categories. The Calgary-born pop star took home album of the year for So Close to What, artist of the year, single of the year for “Sports Car,” and pop album of the year — the latter accepted on her behalf by rapper Tobi. Four awards. Four wins. One night.
The McRae vs. Bieber storyline was the talk of the industry: Justin Bieber, whose comeback album Swag II led nominations alongside McRae, and left empty-handed. Both stars still have a shot at the TD Juno Fan Choice Award, voted on by the public and announced during the March 29 broadcast.
Aysanabee’s Double Win
Among the night’s most celebrated moments was Aysanabee walking away with not one but two Junos — contemporary Indigenous artist of the year and alternative album of the year for Edge of the Earth. The dual win underscored how fully his work has broken through into the Canadian music mainstream while remaining rooted in its origins.
First-Time Winners Steal the Show
For all the big names, some of the warmest receptions were reserved for first-time Juno winners. Electronic artist Debby Friday was visibly thrilled picking up dance recording of the year for “Bet On Me.”
Director Karena Evans took home music video of the year for helming Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther.”
Begonia and Bahamas shared the adult alternative album of the year award in a tie — a result both seemed genuinely delighted by.
Daniel Caesar’s Songwriter Honours
Daniel Caesar was awarded songwriter of the year — a recognition of a quietly stellar creative year. Caesar is also set to receive the International Achievement Award during the March 29 broadcast, cementing his status as one of Canada’s most important musical exports.
Looking Ahead
With the broadcast night still to come — bringing the TD Juno Fan Choice Award, Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee teasing a surprise appearance ahead of their reunion tour, and more — the 55th Junos is shaping up to be a landmark edition. Canada’s musical landscape has never looked more alive.
Full List of Winners
2026 JUNO AWARD WINNERS NIGHT 1 | GAGNANTS DES PRIX JUNO 2026 SOIRÉE 1
SINGLE OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY SUNRISE RECORDS I SINGLE DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR SUNRISE RECORDS
Sports car Tate McRae RCA*Sony
ALBUM OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY MUSIC CANADA I ALBUM DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR MUSIC CANADA
So Close To What Tate McRae RCA*Sony
ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY SIRIUSXM CANADA I ARTISTE DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR SIRIUSXM CANADA
Tate McRae RCA*Sony
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST) I ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (SOLO)
Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki Jan Lisiecki Deutsche Grammophon*Universal
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE) I ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (PETIT ENSEMBLE)
Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb & Rachel Mercer Bravo Niagra*Independent
CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE) I ALBUM CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE (GRAND ENSEMBLE)
Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem Axios Men’s Ensemble, The Tenors and Basses of Pro Coro Canada conducted by/dirigé par Michael Zaugg featuring John Tessier and Yuliia Zasimova Cappella*Naxos
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO) I ALBUM JAZZ DE L’ANNÉE (SOLO)
Crossing Paths Renee Rosnes Smoke Sessions*The Orchard
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP) I ALBUM JAZZ DE L’ANNÉE (GROUPE)
East Meets West: Connections Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra Chronograph
VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM DE JAZZ VOCAL DE L’ANNÉE
Get Out of Town Laura Anglade Justin Time*Nettwerk/F.A.B
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM INSTRUMENTAL DE L’ANNÉE
LOTUSLAND Aaron Paris Independent*Too Lost
BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM BLUES DE L’ANNÉE
Hear My Heart Steve Marriner Cordova Bay*Fontana North/Symphonic
TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM ROOTS TRADITIONNEL DE L’ANNÉE
Heal The Divide Morgan Toney Ishkōdé*Universal
CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM ROOTS CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
Strange Trip Ahead Mariel Buckley Birthday Cake*Secretly Distribution
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM COUNTRY DE L’ANNÉE
The Hard Way Cameron Whitcomb Atlantic*Warner
ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM ADULTE ALTERNATIF DE L’ANNÉE
My Second Last Album Bahamas Barchords*Universal
Fantasy Life Begonia Birthday Cake*Secretly Distribution
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM ALTERNATIF DE L’ANNÉE
Edge Of The Earth Aysanabee Ishkōdé*Universal
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY LONG & MCQUADE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS I ALBUM ROCK DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR LONG & MCQUADE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
No Hard Feelings The Beaches AWAL
METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM DE MUSIQUE MÉTAL/HARD DE L’ANNÉE
Shadow Work DESPISED ICON Nuclear Blast*Believe/ADA
ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM ADULTE CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
Better Broken Sarah McLachlan Concord*Universal
POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO 0.0 I ALBUM POP DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO 0.0
So Close To What Tate McRae RCA*Sony
DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR I ENREGISTREMENT DANCE DE L’ANNÉE
Bet On Me Debby Friday Royal Mountain*Universal
UNDERGROUND DANCE SINGLE OF THE YEAR I SINGLE DANCE UNDERGROUND DE L’ANNÉE
Phantom Vibrations feat. Teddy Bryant Gene Tellem Love Injection*!K7
ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY NISSAN I ALBUM ÉLECTRONIQUE DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR NISSAN
Shades of Meridian ÈBONY Turbo*!K7
RAP SINGLE OF THE YEAR I SINGLE RAP DE L’ANNÉE
Who’s Driving You? TOBi, Saukrates & Jully Black Warner*ADA
RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY MY SINGING MONSTERS I ALBUM/MICROALBUM RAP DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR MY SINGING MONSTERS
DRY CRY SadBoi LVRN*The Orchard
TRADITIONAL R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR I ENREGISTREMENT R&B/SOUL TRADITIONNEL DE L’ANNÉE
Say Yes Melanie Fiona PUBLIC/COLTURE*Stem
REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR I ENREGISTREMENT REGGAE DE L’ANNÉE
Welcome To Paradise Naomi Cowan Dreamspace/7th C*ADA
CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM JEUNESSE DE L’ANNÉE
Maestro Fresh Wes Presents: Young Maestro “Rhyme Travellers – Back to the Time Machine” Young Maestro Independent
COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY SIRIUSXM CANADA I ALBUM D’HUMOUR DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR SIRIUSXM CANADA
Dragonflies Adam Christie Independent
TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR I ARTISTE OU GROUPE AUTOCHTONE TRADITIONNEL DE L’ANNÉE
On The Move Bear Creek Hidden Lake*Independent
CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY DESTINATION INDIGENOUS I ARTISTE OU GROUPE AUTOCHTONE CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR DESTINATION INDIGENOUS
Edge Of The Earth Aysanabee Ishkōdé*Universal
FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM FRANCOPHONE DE L’ANNÉE
Journal d’un Loup-Garou Lou-Adriane Cassidy Bravo*Believe/F.A.B
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM CHRÉTIEN/GOSPEL CONTEMPORAIN DE L’ANNÉE
Jubilate Ryan Ofei Independent*Believe
GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR I ALBUM DE MUSIQUE GLOBALE DE L’ANNÉE
Ghoyoum Kazdoura Independent
SOUTH ASIAN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY TD I ENREGISTREMENT SUD-ASIATIQUE DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR TD
P-POP CULTURE Karan Aujla & Ikky Warner
ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR I GRAPHISME D’ALBUM DE L’ANNÉE
Kevin Moore (Art Director/Directeur artistique), Kyle Joinson (Photographer/Photographe)
Tsunami Sea – Spiritbox BMG*Universal
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CITY OF HAMILTON I VIDÉOCLIP DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR LA VILLE DE HAMILTON
luther Karena Evans Kendrick Lamar & SZA Interscope*Universal
JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY AUDIO-TECHNICA I PRIX JACK RICHARDSON DU RÉALISATEUR DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR AUDIO-TECHNICA
Cirkut
“APT.” – co-producer/co-producteur Bruno Mars, Omer Fedi & Rogét Chahayed
APT. – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars Atlantic*Warner
“Abracadabra” – co-producer/co-producteur Andrew Watt & Lady Gaga
MAYHEM – Lady Gaga Interscope*Universal
“Disease” – co-producer/co-producteur Andrew Watt & Lady Gaga
MAYHEM – Lady Gaga Interscope*Universal
“A Little More” – co-producer/co-producteur Blake Slatkin & Ed Sheeran
A Little More – Ed Sheeran Atlantic*Universal
“IT girl” – co-producer/co-producteur Lostboy
IT girl – JADE Sony
“AEOMG” – co-producer/co-producteur M-Phazes
Why Not More? – Coco Jones Def Jam*Universal
RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR I INGÉNIEUR DU SON DE L’ANNÉE
Shawn Everett
“12 to 12”
12 to 12 – sombr Warner
“End of the World”
Something Beautiful – Miley Cyrus Columbia*Sony
CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR I COMPOSITION CLASSIQUE DE L’ANNÉE
Cloud Path Amy Brandon Leaf*Naxos
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY SOCAN I AUTEUR-COMPOSITEUR DE L’ANNÉE PRÉSENTÉ PAR SOCAN
Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar)
PUBLISHER: Warner Chappell Music Canada
“Call On Me” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs Eric Donaldson, Isaac Stalling, Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett & Rami Dawod
Son of Spergy – Daniel Caesar Hollace/Republic*Universal
“Moon feat. Bon Iver” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs Dylan Wiggins, Isaac Stalling, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Rami Dawod & Simon Axel Hessman
Son of Spergy – Bon Iver and Daniel Caesar Hollace/Republic*Universal
“Who Knows” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs Alex O’Connor, Dylan Wiggins, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Mustafa Ahmed & Romil Hemnani
Son of Spergy – Daniel Caesar Hollace/Republic*Universal
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-PERFORMER) PRESENTED BY SOCAN I AUTEUR-COMPOSITEUR DE L’ANNÉE (NON-EXÉCUTANT) PRÉSENTÉ PAR LA SOCAN
Tobias Jesso Jr.
PUBLISHER: Universal Music Publishing Group
“La Yugular” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs David Rodriguez, Dylan Wiggins, Elliot Kozel, Noah Goldstein & Rosalia
LUX – ROSALÍA Columbia*Sony
“DAISIES” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Justin Bieber & Michael Gordon
SWAG II – Justin Bieber Island/Def Jam*Universal
“Man I Need” – co-songwriters/co-compositeurs Olivia Dean & Zachary Nahome
The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean PLG/Capitol*Universal
LATIN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR I ENREGISTREMENT DE MUSIQUE LATINE DE L’ANNÉE
Índole Alex Cuba Caracol* Fontana North/ONErpm
