Earlier today, CARAS, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, hosted an event in Toronto to announce the nominees for the 2019 JUNO Awards.
Unlike some previous years, it will be a tough call to predict who will be walking away with the Rap Recording of the Year this year. Needless to say, there’s a good chance someone connected to XO takes the win since 60% of the nominees are either signed to the label, or have close ties to it.
The nominees for Rap Recording of the Year are:
88GLAM for 88GLAM Reloaded, the deluxe version of their eponymous debut commercial mixtape which was originally self-released in Nov. 2017, and then re-issued through XO Records and Republic Records in Apr. 2018. This is not to be confused with their newer release, 88GLAM2.
Belly for his album Immigrant, which was released via Roc Nation Records on Oct. 12, 2018. The project follows his 2017 release, Mumble Rap, which was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year in 2018.
KILLY for his debut album, Surrender Your Soul, released in March 2018 via Secret Sound Club. The album features his break-out single, “Killamonjaro,” as well as other fan favourites.
NAV for his studio album debut, Reckless, released on May 10, 2018 via XO and Republic. The album features guest appearances from Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, and Gunna
Tory Lanez for his third studio album, Love Me Now?, released this past October via Mad Love Records and Interscope. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Trippie Redd, Lil Baby and Bryson Tiller, among others.
Obviously, Drake is absent from the list, which is already causing some debates on social media.
Visit the official JUNO Awards website for the full nomination list, and you can follow @TheJUNOAwards on Instagram.
