Juno Awards 2021: The Weeknd emerges as big winner at virtual closing night

WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.

After a cancelled year andmultiple delays, the final night of the 50th annual Junos took place virtually on Sunday honouring some of the country's most popular artists in a tumultuous year for the arts.

And while R&B singer The Weekndemerged as the big winner, his success wasn't the only notable moment. Presenters from actor Will Arnettto Shania Twain came together for a largely glitch-free showcase that saw impressive productionsand surprising wins. And in some cases, a surprise in whom we didn't see at all.

The Weeknd's sweep

Coming into the awards with the most nominations, The Weekndcemented his place as leader on Sunday.

But despite his triumphant night, the artist was a no-show. Many other stars accepted their awards by video feed, but the singer was surprisingly absent, and didn't make an appearance for either of his wins, including artist of the yearand album of the year forAfter Hours.

Including his awards from the ceremony's opening night on Friday, The Weeknd ultimately came away with five wins out of six nominations the single category he lost was audience-voted fan choice, which went to Shawn Mendes. Not only was it a thrilling sweep for the musician who was completely shut out of the 2021 Grammys, he was also the only act at this year's Junos to win more than a single award.

That means a few artists,Justin Bieber,Jessie Reyezand JP Saxe, who all trailed The Weeknd with five nominations, came awaywith justone win each. It was a bit of a disappointment for Saxe, who impressively garnered those nominations in his first year at the ceremony.

Saxe beat out tight competition in the category he won breakthrough artist of the year asTikTok superstars Tate McRae, Powfuand Curtis Waters were in the running. Theyhave all seen huge success in both streams and album sales, which account for 50 per cent of the decision-making to determine a winner in the category.

Big name performances

The ceremonies kicked off with a performance by Justin Biebersinging Somebodyfrom his new album Justice.It washis first appearance at the show since he and Drake played a rendition ofBabyat the 2010 Juno Awards. But, like The Weeknd, the singer did not make an appearanceto accept his Juno for pop album of the year.

Bieber'sperformance helped start the show off on a good foot, and set the tone for what was to come. By award-show standards, Sunday's Junosincluded very few categories:most of thetrophies were handed out Friday night, so thatby Sunday, just seven of the show's 44 mainawards remained.

That gave the more than two hour-longshow ample time for its big name thoughpre-taped mini-concerts.

Watch | Justin Bieber performes Somebody at 50th Annual Juno Awards:

Justin Bieber | Somebody | Juno Awards 2021

3 years ago

Duration 2:59

Justin Bieber performs "Somebody" at the 2021 Juno Awards. It's his first performance at the awards since his 2010 performance of "Baby."

Many of those performances took place at prominent Canadianvenues, a show element that had been in question in the lead-up to the awards due to Ontario's restriction on indoor performances. In the end, the highly produced shows were permittedand took place in locations such as Rebel nightclub in Toronto andthe National Music Centre in Calgary.

Other musicians who took to the stagefor Sunday's show includedbreakthrough artist winner JP Saxe, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Jann Arden, TikTok stars Ali Gatie and Tate McRae and more.

And closingout the night was a bombshell team-up between Feist and The Tragically Hip, playing the song It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken. It was the group'sfirst televised performance since the death of frontman Gord Downie.

WATCH | The Tragically Hip and Feist perform It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken:

The Tragically Hip and Feist perform "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" | Juno Awards 2021

3 years ago

Duration 4:58

The Tragically Hip's Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay are joined by Feist at Toronto's historic Massey Hall for a performance of their song "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" at the 2021 Juno Awards.

A hip-hop celebration for 30 years of rap

One of those seven performances had a bit more girth than the others. In a tribute to the 30th anniversary of the rap recording category at the Junos, Canadian hip-hop royalty assembledfor a celebration of how the genre has grown.

Maestro Fresh Wes, Jully Black, NAV, Kardinal Offishall and more came together for the segment, though it wasn't all completely positive.

From the Rebel nightclub in Toronto, segment performerKardinal Offishall noted the difficulties rap artists have faced in Canada difficulties that, to some extent, persist today.

WATCH | Hip-hop artists perform tribute for30th anniversary of rap recording category at the Juno Awards:

Canadian Hip Hop Tribute ft. Kardinal Offishall, Michie Mee, Jully Black, and more | Juno Awards 2021

3 years ago

Duration 7:48

Michie Mee introduces a tribute to Canadian hip hop featuring Kardinal Offishall, DJ Starting from Scratch, Jully Black, Maestro Fresh Wes, NAV, and Haviah Mighty at the 2021 Juno Awards. It is the 30th anniversary of the rap category at the Junos.

"Despite the lack of infrastructure to support rap music in our own backyard, the Rascalzalong with Checkmate, Thrust, Choclaireand myself found some beauty in the struggle," Offishallsaid between performances.

"Despite the challenges we faced as rappers, we succeeded in bringing our up-North style to the rest of the world."

Grief and acknowledgements

On Sunday, singer-songwriter Buffy Saint-Marie opened the showby asking for compassion following the recent harrowing announcementby theTk'emlps te Secwpemc First Nation.

"It's shocking to some people and a revelation, but it's not news to Indigenous people," she said, referring to the announcement that preliminary findings from a survey conducted by a specialist in ground-penetrating radarindicated the remains of whatcould be 215 children buried on the siteof a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

WATCH | 'The genocide basic to this country's birth is ongoing,' says Buffy Sainte-Marie:

The genocide basic to this countrys birth is ongoing: Buffy Sainte-Marie | Juno Awards 2021

3 years ago

Duration 1:22

The genocide basic to this countrys birth is ongoing, and we need to face it together. And I ask for your compassion, Buffy Sainte-Marie said during the opening of the 2021 Juno Awards. She delivered a land acknowledgement as well as a call for truth and reconciliation when it comes to the history of residential schools in Canada.

"The genocide basic to this country's birth is ongoing," she continued. "We need to face ittogether and Iask for your compassion."

Later in the show, singer-songwriter Susan Aglukarkalso mentioned the Kamloops discovery, and acknowledged those who had lost their family members.

"We grieve with you, and we want you to know that they will not be forgotten," she said.

The Junos originally planned to take place months ago, but were beset by delays due tothe pandemic. Before settling into thecurrent date, they werepostponed twice first moving from mid-March to May 16 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, and then again to June.

At the opening night of the awards, Junospresident Allan Reid announced next year's ceremonies will take place in Toronto for an "in-person" show.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schoolsand those who are triggered by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.