B.C.’s growing South Asian music scene takes the spotlight in Juno Awards nominations
The surge in popularity of South Asian music in British Columbia is taking center stage at this year’s Juno Awards, with several artists connected to B.C. receiving nominations. Among the nominees in the newly introduced South Asian Music Recording of the Year category, three have ties to the province. AP Dhillon, residing on Vancouver Island, Vancouver’s Karan Aujla, and Surrey’s Jazzy B have all received nominations. Jazzy B was recognized for his song “COOLIN” with Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga.
Allan Reid, the president of the Juno Awards, highlighted the significance of Vancouver and Surrey as global hubs for this genre of music. AP Dhillon, in addition to his South Asian Music Recording nomination, also received nods in the breakthrough artist and songwriter categories. Karan Aujla is also in the running for Single of the Year for his track “Tauba Tauba.”
Dhillon made history in 2023 as the first artist to perform entirely in Punjabi at the Juno Awards. The success of these artists reflects a trend that has been evolving over many years. The 2021 census indicates that individuals identifying as South Asian make up 9.6% of B.C.’s population, nearly half a million people.
The province has been hosting the 5X Fest, showcasing South Asian music and art across Metro Vancouver for several years. The impact of artists like Indian performer Diljit Dosanjh, who sold out Vancouver’s Rogers Arena in 2022, has been described as a cultural shift in B.C.’s music landscape. Dosanjh and others are credited with creating a new wave of music that resonates with immigrants and native Canadians alike.
B.C. artists are well-represented in various categories at this year’s Juno Awards. The province accounts for about 13.5% of the nominees, a significant increase from previous years. Notable nominees include Haisla hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Vancouver-born bbno$, Smithers country star Dean Brody, and Mother Mother from Quadra Island.
Moreover, B.C. boasts nominations in the Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year category, with artists like Anciients, Devin Townsend, and Spiritbox receiving recognition. The province also has contenders in the Comedy Album of the Year category, with comedian Ivan Decker, a Ladner native, vying for the award.
The Juno Awards will be hosted by Burnaby’s own Michael Bublé and broadcast live from Vancouver’s Roger’s Arena on March 30. The event will be available for viewing on various platforms, including CBC-TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, and CBC’s YouTube page. The celebration of South Asian music and the diverse talent from British Columbia promises to make this year’s Junos a memorable event.
