It took 15 years for soul artists and reggae artists to be included in the category list.
The most dramatic moments at the Juno Awards, which took place virtually on June 29, had nothing to do with the big winners of the night, Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara. These moments came to the top of the show, where the Junos were remarkably frank about their need to diversify and how the show was late to recognize soul, reggae, rap, and other forms of black and indigenous music.
Allan Reid, President / CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, set the tone in his opening remarks. Musician-broadcaster Odario Williams and singer / songwriter Damhnait Doyle, who appeared together, drew on Reid’s comments. Williams even greeted two artists by name who have criticized Junos in the past.
Here are his opening statements, just edited.
Allan Reid: “For the first time in history, we are seeing people from all nations take a unified stand for the lives of blacks. As president of CARAS, it is my responsibility to ensure that we take an active role in dismantling systemic racism. We are committed to the long-term inclusion and amplification of black voices and a more equitable industry for all. We are working on an action plan with specific commitments that we will reveal this July. We must do better for our BIPoC [Black and Indigenous Person/People of Color] members of the music community and welcome them to hold us accountable. “
Odario Williams: “Although it has been a great year for Canadian music, I just want to take a moment to recognize that it has been a long and difficult journey for Canadian black and indigenous artists here in Junos. The first ceremony took place in 1970 and it took 15 years for soul artists and reggae artists to be included in the category list. Juno’s first rap recording[alMaestroFresh-Wes’s[toMaestroFresh-Wes’s[alMaestroFresh-Wes’s[toMaestroFresh-Wes’sSymphony indeed]was awarded in 1991 and the first prize for indigenous music[aLawrenceMartin’s[toLawrenceMartin’s[aLawrenceMartin’s[toLawrenceMartin’sWapistan]was delivered in 1994.
“… I have to thank the black and indigenous Canadian artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s who are true pioneers in the growth of our musical landscape. A special thanks to the great Liberty Silver, who was the first black woman in winning a Juno in 1985. I have to thank Rascalz, who rejected his Juno win for rap recording in 1998 because I felt that rap music was not performed on the big stage. And I have to thank A Tribe Called Red who refused to send his 2014 Nation II Nation album to the indigenous category for not being typecast … So thank all our talented pioneers who have helped shape the musical culture in this country. “
Damhnait Doyle: “All the Canadian artists I admire are dedicated to making active changes in the industry. It is not performative, it is our duty, and it is overdue. Seeing our music community come together to celebrate the voices of blacks and indigenous people and people of color is one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. We will fight every day to drive this change. “
