The nominations for the 2023 Grammy Awards are out and Kaytranada, Boi-1da, and Michael Buble are among the Canadians nominated.
Montreal’s Kaytranada is up for Best Dance/Electronic Recording for his song “Intimidated” featuring H.E.R. The song wound up on a three-song EP also called Intimidated and featured songs with Thundercat and Mach-Hommy. The EP, however, did not receive any nominations.
Michael Buble’s eleventh album Higher is nominated for Best Traditional Vocal Album in competition against Kelly Clarkson, Diana Ross, Norah Jones, and Pentatonix.
Rock legend Bryan Adams also got a nod in the Best Rock Performance category for his track “So Happy It Hurts” from his album of the same name.
Canadian singer Allison Russell also snagged a pair of nominations for her song with Aoife O’Donovan named “Prodigal Daughter.” The song is up for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song.
In the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical category, Canadian Tobias Jesso Jr. received a nomination for his work. He helped pen tracks like Harry Styles’ “Boyfriends,” Adele’s “Can I Get It” and “To Be Loved,” “Careless” and “Thank You Song” by FKA Twigs, as well as tracks from Orville Peck, King Princess, Diplo & Tsha, and Omar Apollo.
Boi-1da received a nomination for his slew of production credits. He was responsible for “N95” and “Silent Hill” by Kendrick Lamar, “Heated” by Beyonce, “Churchill Downs” by Jack Harlow and Drake and other tracks from Cordae, Travis Scott, Ella Mai, and Giveon. He’s also credited as a producer on Beyonce’s Renaissance and Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, both of which are nominated for Album of the Year.
Finally, We by Arcade Fire was nominated for Best Alternative Year. Despite the album’s success, Canadian radio stations pulled the band’s songs from their lineups amid accusations of sexual misconduct towards frontman Win Butler.
Canada’s two biggest stars, Drake and The Weeknd, both withdrew their releases from consideration. Drake previously withdrew his songs from the 2022 Grammy Awards following several nominations for tracks from his album Certified Lover Boy. Back in 2021, The Weeknd called the Grammys corrupt and promised to never submit any of his music again.
