The JUNO Awards, Canada's most prestigious music event, have long been a beacon of recognition for the country's diverse and talented artists. In recent years, the JUNOs have been reinventing themselves to stay relevant in today’s fast-paced, digital world. By partnering with social giants like TikTok for its Fan Choice Award and honoring songwriters who often remain in the shadows of the performers, the JUNOs are making strides to broaden their appeal and inclusivity.
This year, however, the Junos hold particular significance for two major reasons.
First, with Canadian pride and patriotism at an all-time high, thanks in part to the growing "elbows up" movement, there is no better time to celebrate homegrown talent that has made waves on the global stage. The JUNOs provide a platform to showcase these artists and remind the world of Canada’s vibrant and diverse musical landscape.
Second, and perhaps even more exciting, is the introduction of a new category: ‘South Asian Music Recording of the Year.’ This addition marks a historic moment for the South Asian community in Canada. It offers long-overdue recognition for South Asian artists who have been contributing to the country’s music scene for years. Seeing these artists gain acknowledgment on such a prestigious stage is both celebratory and inspiring for the community.
South Asian artists in Canada have been making tremendous strides, not only by creating exceptional music but by selling out venues across the country at record levels. Artists like Anirudh and Diljit Dosanjh have become household names, with their music firmly embedded in the lives of Gen Z and Millennial individuals of South Asian heritage. This recognition from the JUNOs, with the inclusion of the South Asian Music Recording of the Year category, reflects the growing importance of South Asian culture in the broader Canadian music scene. It also serves as a prime example of how award shows in the West can evolve in celebrating inclusivity, and cultural representation.
There are the big names like AP Dhillon, Karan Aujla, Jazzy B and AR Paisley, who have become household names in the Canadian entertainment industry. But there are also other gems—artists who may be familiar to the South Asian community but are now poised to blossom and be embraced by the breadth of Canada. Platforms like the JUNOs provide such artists with the recognition they need to reach new heights and audiences.
Moreover, it is important to highlight that several South Asian artists have also been nominated in various other categories, further underscoring the breadth of their impact. This makes the upcoming JUNO Awards a night to truly look forward to, not just for South Asians but for anyone who values diversity, talent, and the spirit of Canadian music.
Here are some of the artists that you should be looking forward to and cheering on, at the JUNOs and beyond!
-
Shruti Ramani – A Hindustani-jazz artist and part of Raagaverse. Nominated under Jazz Album of the Year: Group (2025) for their brilliant work on ‘Jaya.’
Photo Credit: Michele Mateus -
Shirantha Beddage – Baritone saxophonist, composer, and educator from Toronto, Canada, and no stranger to the JUNOs. He is part of the Carn Davidson (9) jazz ensemble, nominated for their album ‘Reverence’ under Jazz Album of the Year: Group (2025).
Photo Credit: Bo Huang -
Dave Baksh – Guitar player and known as Dave Brownsound, Ajax, ON native of Guyanese roots, is nominated as part of the group Sum 41 for Rock Album of the Year for ‘Heaven :x: Hell.’ Sum 41 will also be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2025.
Photo Credit: Donny Evans -
Joanna Mohammed aka 'Aphrose' – Scarborough native with Trinidadian roots, this R&B and soul singer is nominated for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year (2025) for her album ‘Roses.’
-
Benita – Toronto native with Guyanese roots, nominated under Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (2025) for her album ‘The Worst.’
Photo Credit: Cash Kev (Kevin Nguyen)
-
Abby V – Tamil artist trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music. He made his debut in the Tamil movie industry in Chennai, India, for the movie Indian 2, where he sang for Neelorpam under Anirudh’s music. Abby V, along with Grammy winner Ricky Kej, is nominated under Global Music Album of the Year for their album ‘Aarambh.’
-
Jonita Gandhi – Toronto native and a household name in the Tamil music industry, having sung for the likes of A R Rahman, Anirudh, Yuvan, and G V Prakash. She is nominated under South Asian Music Recording of the Year for her single ‘Love Like That.’
Photo Credit: Keegan Castro -
Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga and Jazzy B , household names in the South Asian hip-hop scene in Canada are nominated for ‘COOLIN’ under South Asian Music Recording of the Year
-
Gabriel Dharmoo – Quebec native, who composes music inspired by the Carnatic genre, nominated under Classical Composition of the Year for ‘The Fog in Our Poise.’
Photo Credit: Curtis Perry -
Sukha – Nominated under Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year and his album ‘Undisputed’ is nominated for Album of the Year. This Punjabi-Canadian rapper is just getting started.
11. Yanchan and Sandeep Narayan– A Tamil-Canadian household name and powerhouse music producer, known for his prowess with the Mridangam. Along with Carnatic musician Sandeep Narayan from Chennai, they teamed up for ‘Arul’, nominated under South Asian Music Recording of the Year, blending South Asian Carnatic music with North American mainstream elements.
Catch the JUNO Awards on Sunday March 30 2025 at 8:00pm EST and don’t forget to cheer for your favorite South Asian-Canadian artists and the exemplary Canadian talent that is making waves on the global stage.
