The nominations for the 2026 Grammy awards were announced Thursday, and it’s a big year for Canadian artists! Canadians are represented across all genres as our cultural exports continue to inform our (and to a lesser extent American) national identity.

Joni Mitchell was nominated for Best Historical Album for “Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980)”, a compilation of her work in the late 70s. This nomination celebrates her impact then to come on the global music industry.

Drake appears to be no longer boycotting the Grammys since accepting nominations 2023, and is nominated again for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Tate McRae received her first ever nomination this year. Her song “Just Keep Watching”, which has been all over Canadian pop radio, is in the Best Dance Pop Recording category.

With seven total nods, Cirkut was the most-nominated Canadian artist this year, twice in Record of the Year and Song of the Year. A close second is Serban Gheana, who accrued six Grammy nominations for producing multiple pop Album and Record of the year noms.

Justin Bieber has four nominations this year, and is among the nominees for Album of the Year. The 8-time Juno winner has now been nominated for Grammys as many times as he’s been nominated for Junos: he’s had 23 Grammy noms over the course of his career, two of which he’s won so far. Vancouver jazz singer Laila Biali was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Victoria metal band Spiritbox’s song “Soft Spine” earned them their third consecutive nomination for Best Metal Performance! Yannick Nézet-Séguin was nominated for Best Orchestral Performance and Best Opera Recording, Pianist Mary Dawood Catlin received her first-ever nomination for Best Classical Instrumental.

I can’t help but notice that many of the big Canadian pop producers are nominated for their works with American artists. It seems Canadian vocalists like Justin Bieber’s accomplishments are most celebrated when they work with American producers as well. I wonder if international collaboration is the key for major modern Canadian artists to break through to American audiences.

Either way, I know myself, I’m going to forget about the 2026 Grammy Awards February 1^st, I always do. I’m going to be super mad when my favourites don’t win anyway, and post a million Tweets about how awards don’t matter. But they’re a reflection of cultural impact, and they say a lot about who the industry is listening to. I just hope they keep listening to Canadian artists.