March 27, 2025 • 16 mins
In this special episode, we dive into the 2025 JUNO Awards with singer-songwriter Latoya Elle. We break down the nominees, discuss the impact of Canadian music on the global stage, and get Latoya’s predictions for the biggest categories. Plus, she shares insights on her own journey in the industry and what this moment means for Canadian artists. Whether you're a longtime JUNO fan or just tuning in, this episode is your go-to guide for all things JUNO Awards. Listen now and get ready for Canada’s biggest night in music!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ldeman.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Soa, Hey everyone, this is Neo.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
It's your boy Funky, the coolest teen rapper online. What's that?
It's me Alfi. You're listening to the Cool Table with
a listening to the cool You're listening to the cool table.
You're listening to the cool Table.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
And I'm not sure if you know this, but right
now you're in the cut with my man Adril Smile.
All right, Welcome back everyone. We're going to be talking
about the twenty twenty five Juno Awards. Now, this is
our second year in a row doing this and I
feel like we've got a good combination here. We are
joined by LaToya LaToya l a talented writer and a
host of Behind the Music. You have seen and read
(00:37):
her work and Shifter, Range Magazine, Complex and Next mag
and for your pr needs, you can see her clients
on the Social CTV, CBC Radio and ETOK. Welcome back
again to talk about the twenty twenty five Joanne Awards.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Hello, Hello, thank you for having me. I'm so excited
for this conversation.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I feel like this is the perfect time to talk
about this because the Junos is kind of the week
in Canadian music where everyone comes together I kind of
call it the Avengers of Canadian music. Okay, obviously we
dominate the charts all year round. We got our Tate mccraze,
our Drakes are the weekends, but this is the time
of the year where the Rescilatia Artians kind of get
their shine.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Absolutely, it's the meetup of the year. It's where everybody
from across the country comes together, celebrate and just have
a good time. Also network, but honestly have a good time.
I feel like that's that's the point.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I was saying this earlier about the Junos.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
What I love is my first jounal experience was in
twenty twenty two, kind of the first one after the pandemic,
and it was seeing people who you've been emailing with
for months. And I feel like that is everyone's junial experience,
is you make you're putting a face to the email
and sometimes you're already made a conversation before you realize, oh,
you're so and so from here. So that's a fun
(01:57):
experience every single time.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
I think mine was the year after when they came
to Edmonton and that it was just so cool attending
all of the industry events that were happening, connecting with
everybody at that moment where yeah, you see the people
that have been in your emails or you've been following,
and you just get to give them a shout out
and share love and show.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Them some love in person. It's literally the best feeling.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
And the energy in the city during Juno Week is magnetic.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
It's so good.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah, I think that is probably the realist award show
that we have because you do feel the energy in
the city. And I feel like any big award show, convention,
anything for a certain industry, the city should feel us.
So I think the Juno's definitely does that. Let's talk
about the TikTok Juno Fan Choice Award. Always a weird
award to me. I feel like sometimes I know exactly
it's going to win it, and then sometimes I'm like,
(02:51):
I have no idea, and then the nominees Like this,
every year there are nominees. Here's who I am somewhat
unaware of. I'll be frank, and I like this because
the fans must be aware of these people. So these
people have huge fan bases that the Juno's has them
in the Fan Choice Awards. I'm gonna go through the nominees,
and then you tell me who do you want to
see win and who you think is actually going to win.
(03:13):
We have Dean Brody BB No Dollar Sign, Jade Eagleson,
Josh Roth, Karen Aujulala. That's how you know I'm unfamiliar,
Lay Cowboys, Freakins, Preston, Pablo Sewn Mendez, Tate McCrae, and
The Weekend. That's ten nominees for the TikTok Juno fan choice.
So who do you think is gonna win and who
(03:34):
do you want to win?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:37):
For me, I'm just curious on how they select these
artists because, like when you look into their following, like
so it varies drastically. You know, some people have gone
viral multiple times with a million streams. Other people only
have like fifty k or ten k followers somewhere between there.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So it's quite interesting.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
I think the most popular artist that we know off
of a name or is probably is gonna win this,
either Tate Tate or the Weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I think that's the obvious choice there. The Weekend at
one point was had the most monthly listeners in Spotify completely,
so I feel like he has a good shot at this.
You know across our fingers for him, but are his
fans tapped into the Juno Awards. So I actually think
Tate McCrae is probably gonna win this. I just feel
like her fans are more Taylor tailored for the Juno's
(04:30):
and the Juno Fan Choice Award. Who I want to
see win this actually is Preston Pablo. I think this
would be a big thing to kind of put him
more on the map. He had a good year the
past year, but I think him winning this would bring
a lot of awareness at people who are unaware of
what he's doing.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I think maybe even Beino. That's how you say, right,
bino or bb no.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I thought it was bb no.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Okay, so bb no. I think bb no.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Might also take it home, just because he has gone
viral multiple multiple, multiple, multiple, multiple times and Tate. I know, everyone,
especially in Alberta, is really excited about Tate's success, like
everyone's repping there's you. You're hearing the stories of oh
my sister used to dance with her and dance school
and all the things.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
So there's a lot of pride in Alberta for Tates.
So we'll see.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Yeah, I think it's it's a wind no matter who
wins this category. But I think you were right originally
saying it's probably going to be the weekend, Like, come on,
some of the most monthly listeners in the history of Spotify.
Who are we kidding here? Who are we kidding here?
Let's talk about breakthrough artists or Group of the Year next.
This I think is our bread and butter because we
talked to a lot of these artists, deal with a
(05:47):
lot of these artists on a regular basis, and winning
this award is almost the saying that you have arrived.
It's like, Okay, this is the time I'm here. You
have to notice me. Now I have someone in this
category who I kind of think will win, and those
people I think is gonna win. But heavy hitters in
this category Alexander Stewart, Ap, Dylan ar Paisley, Chris Gray, Ecstasy, Nemesis, Owen, Ragling, Suka,
(06:15):
Tony Ann and Zena.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Anyone stand up from that group for you?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Nemesis, Nemesis, ar Paisley, those are definitely my top two.
I think, like you said, they are heavy hitters, all
of them. Most of them have over a million monthly
streams on Spotify alone. So yeah, I think it's it's
definitely a tight competition. But I personally am votating crossing
(06:46):
my fingers for Nemesis just because of everything that her
music represents. What she represents, She's unapologetically socially charged. You know,
her music socially she represents like a socially engaged artists,
you know, someone who speaks truth to how Palestinians are
feeling with everything that's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Her music is very conscious.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
It's just aware, it's very aware. Just a lot of
awareness around her music. And also the Rolling Stones recently
listed her as the future of music.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
That was my choice too, that was my choice. I
think she's going to win. That's probably who I want
to see when this. But someone what you didn't mention
that I think we have to put in here is
ap Dylan was in the inn. The NBA Celebrity All
Star Game is doing huge numbers. I'm surprised he wasn't
in a TikTok Fan Choice award that felt like something
he would probably do great in. And I'm actually surprised
(07:45):
to hear because he had a big year even two
years ago, so fact that he's still in Breakthrough Artists
or Group of the Year I think is pretty cool,
but I would say him or Nemesis Armor two choices.
Is there a sleeper from this group, someone who someone
should pay more attention to, or someone he thinks has
a shot of wing this other people that we already named.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I mean Alexander Stewart's.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Stewart's music is phenomenal, Like if you're into soft pop,
his vocals are angelic. I thrughly enjoy his music. But
back to what you were saying, like Punjabi hip hop
music alone has been making so much wave and so
much noise in Canada, and that deserves its its moment
(08:29):
at the Juno's for sure.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think this that, and you'll see in some of
the categories that we talk about even going further, like
they are being recognized nationally as well. So big shot
out to that whole movement. Songwriter of the Year maybe
my favorite award because I think this is an award
that you probably have on a whole different.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Shew from your other awards.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Of course, you got Album of the Year and Song
of the Year, but Songwriter of the Year is your
whole body of work. The pen the talent that you have,
So I feel like this war Probab means more to
some of the musicians. The nominees, some of them we've
named already today, ap Dylan, Jesse Reyes, Mustafa, Nemesis, and
the Weekend Star Studied Group. We got some heavy, heavy hitters,
(09:13):
and I love that people of color are totally owning
this category, so we love to see that. My guest
for this one's probably gonna be Mustafa. I think he
kind of is in that Nemesis category as well, where
his music is very, very socially conscious, and I think
what they both do well is have that social conscious
factor without it feeling preachy or boring. So I think
(09:35):
Mustafa probably is my pick out of this group. Who
do you think has a chance here?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
I'm voting for Jesse Rayes. I definitely want to see
her win.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
I just know how much she cares about the way
that she puts together songs, her penmanship, and it's a
skill that she's been building and taking very seriously from
way back to her remix days. I think it would
be a beautiful win. And I'm a girl's girl, so yeah,
I love to see it.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
No, I'm excited for that one too. I think this
is probably the category where no matter who wins, we're
in a good spot. I think everyone in this category
is absolutely deserving. And again I don't think there's any
wrong answer here. There's no this category who I'm confused
by and saying why in the world are they in here?
No one in this category feels like that, so I
think they're all good choices. Now I want to get
(10:25):
personal with you and talk about the category that you're
paying attention to. Okay, is there a category that we
haven't mentioned that you kind of have your eye on
a little bit.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
That you're like, hmm, I wonder who's going to win this.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
It's more like the category itself and the fact that
it exists. We alluded to it earlier. But the South
Asian Music Recording of the Year. I think that's so
deserving and regardless who wins in that category, I'll be
happy for. But the fact that we're able to amplify
the impact of South Asian music here in Canada is
(11:01):
something worth celebrating.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Yeah, and I think that again, this is an award
on a national scale, and to have this category even
here in the first place, speaks volumes I think as well.
We are on an internet stage in our lives where
everyone's algorithm is tailored to what they're already listening to,
and so you may be unaware of a whole different
algorithm and other thing that's going on. But this is
one of those sub genres that is huge, and I
(11:24):
think that they deserve maybe more than just one award,
And then Drew knows, maybe that's coming in the future,
but I agree with you to even see them here,
I'm really excited for that. You had a couple of
candidates for this next one earlier. Okay, you mentioned some
people that you're a fan of, some people that you like,
But I want to know who is the artist you
want to see win this year. If one person could win,
who would it be that you want to see take
(11:46):
home something?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Snatty knows res kids.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
That's a good one. That's a good one.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
They've had an amazing year. They just finished their tour.
They released their album Red Feature. It was an amazing album.
Their music is energetic, it's a celebration of culture. They
acknowledge intergenerational trauma, but then they also talk about the
future of indigenous stories within their music. So it's conscious music,
(12:17):
it's upbeat, it's fun, and it's their Their presence on
stage is always electric, it's always a good time. They've
been nominated before once last year and again in twenty
twenty two and twenty nineteen, so it'd be really, really
nice to see them take home one of their three
(12:37):
one of their three nominations this year.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, they're one of those groups that I'm surprised that
they've never won anything at the journals.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I was looking at that a bit earlier.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
When the nominations actually came out in the middle of February,
I couldn't believe it. I just had assumed that they
had won something before. But you're right, this would be
their first win for them, and I think ultimately deserving.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
You know.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I think that they're one of the groups that are
really when you talk about Canadian music, Canadian hip hop,
I feel like they embody that in a way that
a lot of artists do not. So I'm with you
on that one. I want I want to see them
take it home. One for me I want to see
is Sean Leon. You know, he's he's in the Video
of the Year category. He's kind of known a little
bit more nationally and internationally, but I want to see
(13:23):
him and take something home. There's a lot of artists
like him that I feel like are pretty well known
in the city as well in the country, but somehow
they're not hugely nominated at the Junos, and I think
this would be a way to kind of put his
name at an even higher place than it already is.
So he's someone I want. I want to see when.
I want to know what everyone thinks. If you guys
(13:44):
are following the Juno nominees, please please find the Cool
Table on Instagram at the Cool Table Live. Find me
on Twitter at Adriel Smiley Underscore. I want to know
what do you guys think. Do we have all the
nominees correct? Are we choosing the wrong people? Is there
someone who is supposed to be nominated who we didn't
even name at all? Please please let us know now
(14:04):
before we get out of here, LaToya, let the people
know what you have going on coming up? And who
are you paying attention to the rest of the year. Okay,
you're a taste maker. We want to know what you're
listening to. So please don't gatekeep put the people on.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Don't gay keep oh my goodness.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
No pressure, no pressure.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Okay og og.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
In the hip hop scene in Canada, specifically in Alberta,
I'd say, hey, Riz, he's definitely someone if you're into
conscious music. He has elements of jazz and he's a
rapper that's like the premise of his music. Definitely a
good one to listen to. I am cheering and rooting
for Lukaala. I want her to be like the next
(14:46):
Lizzo but better, so definitely support her in whatever ways
you can. Who else am I listening to? Those are
the top two that come to mind right now. I'm
trying to think of somebody that's like still, oh my gosh,
amiga amiga, mighty yes.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yes, friend of the show, a mega mighty yes yes.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Listen to her.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
It's such a fusion of like pop and like reggae's
it's so good. It's so good, her artistry is so nice.
And then for me things that are coming up, I
would say definitely. Turned into my podcast Behind the Music.
It's where I get to sit down with some amazing,
merging rising artists from Canada and so yeah, we have.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Some really good conversations over there.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
You can find my podcast on podbeam or honestly, look
it up on any streaming platform that you'd like to
listen to podcasts on. And then also I have PR services,
So if you're an artist or a creative looking for
to just get your music amplified or your projects amplified
in the media, definitely reach out. You can find me
on Instagram at LaToya Underscore.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
E L E.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
I'm happy you mentioned k Riz because recently spoke to
t Fanny, also a legend from out West, and Kris
was a person that she named that she would get
into a rap battle with. Those were her worst ship.
There's someone I would rap battle with, it would be
k Riz. So here's a stamp. Kris is clearly worth
even battling. I appreciate you joining us. I thank everyone
(16:19):
for listening as well. Now the Junos are going down
this weekend, the thirtieth, Sunday, eight PM, hosted by Michael Buble.
Make sure you guys tune in. We'll have a ton
of other coverage for you, both with LaToya l and
myself on the Cool Table.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And until next time, you know yourself, know you're worth
Ldeman.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Soa, Hey everyone, this is Neo.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
It's your boy Funky, the coolest teen rapper online. What's that?
It's me Alfi. You're listening to the Cool Table with
a listening to the cool You're listening to the cool table.
You're listening to the cool Table.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
And I'm not sure if you know this, but right
now you're in the cut with my man Adril Smile.
All right, Welcome back everyone. We're going to be talking
about the twenty twenty five Juno Awards. Now, this is
our second year in a row doing this and I
feel like we've got a good combination here. We are
joined by LaToya LaToya l a talented writer and a
host of Behind the Music. You have seen and read
(00:37):
her work and Shifter, Range Magazine, Complex and Next mag
and for your pr needs, you can see her clients
on the Social CTV, CBC Radio and ETOK. Welcome back
again to talk about the twenty twenty five Joanne Awards.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Hello, Hello, thank you for having me. I'm so excited
for this conversation.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I feel like this is the perfect time to talk
about this because the Junos is kind of the week
in Canadian music where everyone comes together I kind of
call it the Avengers of Canadian music. Okay, obviously we
dominate the charts all year round. We got our Tate mccraze,
our Drakes are the weekends, but this is the time
of the year where the Rescilatia Artians kind of get
their shine.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
Absolutely, it's the meetup of the year. It's where everybody
from across the country comes together, celebrate and just have
a good time. Also network, but honestly have a good time.
I feel like that's that's the point.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I was saying this earlier about the Junos.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
What I love is my first jounal experience was in
twenty twenty two, kind of the first one after the pandemic,
and it was seeing people who you've been emailing with
for months. And I feel like that is everyone's junial experience,
is you make you're putting a face to the email
and sometimes you're already made a conversation before you realize, oh,
you're so and so from here. So that's a fun
(01:57):
experience every single time.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
I think mine was the year after when they came
to Edmonton and that it was just so cool attending
all of the industry events that were happening, connecting with
everybody at that moment where yeah, you see the people
that have been in your emails or you've been following,
and you just get to give them a shout out
and share love and show.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Them some love in person. It's literally the best feeling.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
And the energy in the city during Juno Week is magnetic.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
It's so good.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Yeah, I think that is probably the realist award show
that we have because you do feel the energy in
the city. And I feel like any big award show, convention,
anything for a certain industry, the city should feel us.
So I think the Juno's definitely does that. Let's talk
about the TikTok Juno Fan Choice Award. Always a weird
award to me. I feel like sometimes I know exactly
it's going to win it, and then sometimes I'm like,
(02:51):
I have no idea, and then the nominees Like this,
every year there are nominees. Here's who I am somewhat
unaware of. I'll be frank, and I like this because
the fans must be aware of these people. So these
people have huge fan bases that the Juno's has them
in the Fan Choice Awards. I'm gonna go through the nominees,
and then you tell me who do you want to
see win and who you think is actually going to win.
(03:13):
We have Dean Brody BB No Dollar Sign, Jade Eagleson,
Josh Roth, Karen Aujulala. That's how you know I'm unfamiliar,
Lay Cowboys, Freakins, Preston, Pablo Sewn Mendez, Tate McCrae, and
The Weekend. That's ten nominees for the TikTok Juno fan choice.
So who do you think is gonna win and who
(03:34):
do you want to win?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:37):
For me, I'm just curious on how they select these
artists because, like when you look into their following, like
so it varies drastically. You know, some people have gone
viral multiple times with a million streams. Other people only
have like fifty k or ten k followers somewhere between there.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
So it's quite interesting.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
I think the most popular artist that we know off
of a name or is probably is gonna win this,
either Tate Tate or the Weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I think that's the obvious choice there. The Weekend at
one point was had the most monthly listeners in Spotify completely,
so I feel like he has a good shot at this.
You know across our fingers for him, but are his
fans tapped into the Juno Awards. So I actually think
Tate McCrae is probably gonna win this. I just feel
like her fans are more Taylor tailored for the Juno's
(04:30):
and the Juno Fan Choice Award. Who I want to
see win this actually is Preston Pablo. I think this
would be a big thing to kind of put him
more on the map. He had a good year the
past year, but I think him winning this would bring
a lot of awareness at people who are unaware of
what he's doing.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I think maybe even Beino. That's how you say, right,
bino or bb no.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
I thought it was bb no.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Okay, so bb no. I think bb no.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Might also take it home, just because he has gone
viral multiple multiple, multiple, multiple, multiple times and Tate. I know, everyone,
especially in Alberta, is really excited about Tate's success, like
everyone's repping there's you. You're hearing the stories of oh
my sister used to dance with her and dance school
and all the things.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
So there's a lot of pride in Alberta for Tates.
So we'll see.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Yeah, I think it's it's a wind no matter who
wins this category. But I think you were right originally
saying it's probably going to be the weekend, Like, come on,
some of the most monthly listeners in the history of Spotify.
Who are we kidding here? Who are we kidding here?
Let's talk about breakthrough artists or Group of the Year next.
This I think is our bread and butter because we
talked to a lot of these artists, deal with a
(05:47):
lot of these artists on a regular basis, and winning
this award is almost the saying that you have arrived.
It's like, Okay, this is the time I'm here. You
have to notice me. Now I have someone in this
category who I kind of think will win, and those
people I think is gonna win. But heavy hitters in
this category Alexander Stewart, Ap, Dylan ar Paisley, Chris Gray, Ecstasy, Nemesis, Owen, Ragling, Suka,
(06:15):
Tony Ann and Zena.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Anyone stand up from that group for you?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Nemesis, Nemesis, ar Paisley, those are definitely my top two.
I think, like you said, they are heavy hitters, all
of them. Most of them have over a million monthly
streams on Spotify alone. So yeah, I think it's it's
definitely a tight competition. But I personally am votating crossing
(06:46):
my fingers for Nemesis just because of everything that her
music represents. What she represents, She's unapologetically socially charged. You know,
her music socially she represents like a socially engaged artists,
you know, someone who speaks truth to how Palestinians are
feeling with everything that's happening right now.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Her music is very conscious.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
It's just aware, it's very aware. Just a lot of
awareness around her music. And also the Rolling Stones recently
listed her as the future of music.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
That was my choice too, that was my choice. I
think she's going to win. That's probably who I want
to see when this. But someone what you didn't mention
that I think we have to put in here is
ap Dylan was in the inn. The NBA Celebrity All
Star Game is doing huge numbers. I'm surprised he wasn't
in a TikTok Fan Choice award that felt like something
he would probably do great in. And I'm actually surprised
(07:45):
to hear because he had a big year even two
years ago, so fact that he's still in Breakthrough Artists
or Group of the Year I think is pretty cool,
but I would say him or Nemesis Armor two choices.
Is there a sleeper from this group, someone who someone
should pay more attention to, or someone he thinks has
a shot of wing this other people that we already named.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I mean Alexander Stewart's.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Stewart's music is phenomenal, Like if you're into soft pop,
his vocals are angelic. I thrughly enjoy his music. But
back to what you were saying, like Punjabi hip hop
music alone has been making so much wave and so
much noise in Canada, and that deserves its its moment
(08:29):
at the Juno's for sure.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think this that, and you'll see in some of
the categories that we talk about even going further, like
they are being recognized nationally as well. So big shot
out to that whole movement. Songwriter of the Year maybe
my favorite award because I think this is an award
that you probably have on a whole different.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Shew from your other awards.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Of course, you got Album of the Year and Song
of the Year, but Songwriter of the Year is your
whole body of work. The pen the talent that you have,
So I feel like this war Probab means more to
some of the musicians. The nominees, some of them we've
named already today, ap Dylan, Jesse Reyes, Mustafa, Nemesis, and
the Weekend Star Studied Group. We got some heavy, heavy hitters,
(09:13):
and I love that people of color are totally owning
this category, so we love to see that. My guest
for this one's probably gonna be Mustafa. I think he
kind of is in that Nemesis category as well, where
his music is very, very socially conscious, and I think
what they both do well is have that social conscious
factor without it feeling preachy or boring. So I think
(09:35):
Mustafa probably is my pick out of this group. Who
do you think has a chance here?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
I'm voting for Jesse Rayes. I definitely want to see
her win.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
I just know how much she cares about the way
that she puts together songs, her penmanship, and it's a
skill that she's been building and taking very seriously from
way back to her remix days. I think it would
be a beautiful win. And I'm a girl's girl, so yeah,
I love to see it.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
No, I'm excited for that one too. I think this
is probably the category where no matter who wins, we're
in a good spot. I think everyone in this category
is absolutely deserving. And again I don't think there's any
wrong answer here. There's no this category who I'm confused
by and saying why in the world are they in here?
No one in this category feels like that, so I
think they're all good choices. Now I want to get
(10:25):
personal with you and talk about the category that you're
paying attention to. Okay, is there a category that we
haven't mentioned that you kind of have your eye on
a little bit.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
That you're like, hmm, I wonder who's going to win this.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
It's more like the category itself and the fact that
it exists. We alluded to it earlier. But the South
Asian Music Recording of the Year. I think that's so
deserving and regardless who wins in that category, I'll be
happy for. But the fact that we're able to amplify
the impact of South Asian music here in Canada is
(11:01):
something worth celebrating.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
Yeah, and I think that again, this is an award
on a national scale, and to have this category even
here in the first place, speaks volumes I think as well.
We are on an internet stage in our lives where
everyone's algorithm is tailored to what they're already listening to,
and so you may be unaware of a whole different
algorithm and other thing that's going on. But this is
one of those sub genres that is huge, and I
(11:24):
think that they deserve maybe more than just one award,
And then Drew knows, maybe that's coming in the future,
but I agree with you to even see them here,
I'm really excited for that. You had a couple of
candidates for this next one earlier. Okay, you mentioned some
people that you're a fan of, some people that you like,
But I want to know who is the artist you
want to see win this year. If one person could win,
who would it be that you want to see take
(11:46):
home something?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Snatty knows res kids.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
That's a good one. That's a good one.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
They've had an amazing year. They just finished their tour.
They released their album Red Feature. It was an amazing album.
Their music is energetic, it's a celebration of culture. They
acknowledge intergenerational trauma, but then they also talk about the
future of indigenous stories within their music. So it's conscious music,
(12:17):
it's upbeat, it's fun, and it's their Their presence on
stage is always electric, it's always a good time. They've
been nominated before once last year and again in twenty
twenty two and twenty nineteen, so it'd be really, really
nice to see them take home one of their three
(12:37):
one of their three nominations this year.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, they're one of those groups that I'm surprised that
they've never won anything at the journals.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I was looking at that a bit earlier.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
When the nominations actually came out in the middle of February,
I couldn't believe it. I just had assumed that they
had won something before. But you're right, this would be
their first win for them, and I think ultimately deserving.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
You know.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I think that they're one of the groups that are
really when you talk about Canadian music, Canadian hip hop,
I feel like they embody that in a way that
a lot of artists do not. So I'm with you
on that one. I want I want to see them
take it home. One for me I want to see
is Sean Leon. You know, he's he's in the Video
of the Year category. He's kind of known a little
bit more nationally and internationally, but I want to see
(13:23):
him and take something home. There's a lot of artists
like him that I feel like are pretty well known
in the city as well in the country, but somehow
they're not hugely nominated at the Junos, and I think
this would be a way to kind of put his
name at an even higher place than it already is.
So he's someone I want. I want to see when.
I want to know what everyone thinks. If you guys
(13:44):
are following the Juno nominees, please please find the Cool
Table on Instagram at the Cool Table Live. Find me
on Twitter at Adriel Smiley Underscore. I want to know
what do you guys think. Do we have all the
nominees correct? Are we choosing the wrong people? Is there
someone who is supposed to be nominated who we didn't
even name at all? Please please let us know now
(14:04):
before we get out of here, LaToya, let the people
know what you have going on coming up? And who
are you paying attention to the rest of the year. Okay,
you're a taste maker. We want to know what you're
listening to. So please don't gatekeep put the people on.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Don't gay keep oh my goodness.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
No pressure, no pressure.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Okay og og.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
In the hip hop scene in Canada, specifically in Alberta,
I'd say, hey, Riz, he's definitely someone if you're into
conscious music. He has elements of jazz and he's a
rapper that's like the premise of his music. Definitely a
good one to listen to. I am cheering and rooting
for Lukaala. I want her to be like the next
(14:46):
Lizzo but better, so definitely support her in whatever ways
you can. Who else am I listening to? Those are
the top two that come to mind right now. I'm
trying to think of somebody that's like still, oh my gosh,
amiga amiga, mighty yes.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Yes, friend of the show, a mega mighty yes yes.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Listen to her.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
It's such a fusion of like pop and like reggae's
it's so good. It's so good, her artistry is so nice.
And then for me things that are coming up, I
would say definitely. Turned into my podcast Behind the Music.
It's where I get to sit down with some amazing,
merging rising artists from Canada and so yeah, we have.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Some really good conversations over there.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
You can find my podcast on podbeam or honestly, look
it up on any streaming platform that you'd like to
listen to podcasts on. And then also I have PR services,
So if you're an artist or a creative looking for
to just get your music amplified or your projects amplified
in the media, definitely reach out. You can find me
on Instagram at LaToya Underscore.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
E L E.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
I'm happy you mentioned k Riz because recently spoke to
t Fanny, also a legend from out West, and Kris
was a person that she named that she would get
into a rap battle with. Those were her worst ship.
There's someone I would rap battle with, it would be
k Riz. So here's a stamp. Kris is clearly worth
even battling. I appreciate you joining us. I thank everyone
(16:19):
for listening as well. Now the Junos are going down
this weekend, the thirtieth, Sunday, eight PM, hosted by Michael Buble.
Make sure you guys tune in. We'll have a ton
of other coverage for you, both with LaToya l and
myself on the Cool Table.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And until next time, you know yourself, know you're worth
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