The 2019 Grammy Award nominations were revealed today and Canadian rapper Drake scored the second most nominations just behind Kendrick Lamar and his work on the Black Panther soundtrack.
Trailing Lamar by just one nod, Drake is up for seven awards: record of the year ("God's Plan"), album of the year (Scorpion), song of the year ("God's Plan"), best rap performance ("Nice For What" and his Travis Scott collaboration, "Sicko Mode"), and best rap song (again landing two spots for "God's Plan" and "Sicko Mode").
While Drake is no stranger to the Grammys — he has three trophies to his name already — he was absent from last year's Grammys because he reportedly didn't submit his album, More Life, for consideration. In a 2017 interview, he expressed his frustrations with being boxed in as a rapper when he admits "Hotline Bling," a track which won him a best rap/sung performance and best rap song award, is not technically a rap song. "The only category they can manage to fit me in is a rap category," he said.
Other notable Canadian nominees
Pop star Shawn Mendes scored two nominations, song of the year for his single "In My Blood" as well as best pop vocal album for his self-titled third album. Also securing two nominations was Canadian jazz artist Diana Krall, who got recognition in the best pop duo/group performance and best traditional pop vocal album for her work with Tony Bennett on the album, Love is Here to Stay.
Toronto singer Daniel Caesar, who earned his first two nominations last year, returned this year for a second best R&B performance nomination for the track, "Best Part," featuring H.E.R.
Canadian classical nominations
On the classical side, Marc-André Hamelin got his fourth Grammy nomination, this time for best chamber music/small ensemble performance for Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring Concerto For Two Pianos alongside Leif Ove Andsnes. James Ehnes' recording of the Aaron Jay Kernis Violin Concerto scored him a nod in the best classical instrumental solo category. Peter Oundjian and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra are up for best classical compendium. Gerald Finley is up for best opera recording for his role in Adams: Doctor Atomic. And French-Canadian chamber orchestra, Les Violons du Roy are nominated for best classical solo vocal album for their work with American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.
For the complete list of Grammy Award nominations, head over to their website.
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