The playist this week is the SaskMusic Saskatchewan Music Award nominees of 2021.

SaskMusic announced the nominee via a streamed event on December 2. The awards are intended to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of Saskatchewan music industry members over the past year. The 2021 awards event will take place in a streaming format on January 20/2022 via SaskMusic’s social media pages. Performers for the virtual event will be announced at a later date.

SaskMusic Executive Director Mike Dawson noted, “We are once again inspired by the talented artists of our province, who continued to create amazing music this year. Our industry continues to be heavily challenged by the pandemic, with the livelihoods of musicians and music businesses worldwide affected, but we are encouraged by the resilience and optimism of our industry members. We look forward to celebrating the music of our province with the awards this January.”

The SMAs are being held in conjunction with the Very Prairie Music Summit, an educational event for the Saskatchewan music industry, which will also be held online, January 21-23. We are hoping to incorporate some in-person elements as well. Please follow SaskMusic’s social media accounts, and the main awards website www.saskmusicawards.com, for updates.

SaskMusic Awards Nominees 2021

Alternative Artist of the Year

  • Carson Shmyr
  • Megan Nash
  • Slow Down Molasses
  • The Garrys
  • The Steadies

Country Artist of the Year

  • Amanda Hagel
  • Ches Anthony
  • Hunter Brothers
  • Jess Moskaluke
  • Munro & Patrick

Electronic Artist of the Year

  • Ava Wild & Merky Waters
  • Nige B
  • Patrick Moon Bird
  • RUMPUS
  • Theo Noble

Experimental/Contemporary Artist of the Year

  • ADEOLUWA
  • Factor Eight
  • Jesse Brown
  • Marie-Véronique Bourque
  • The Faps

Hip Hop Artist of the Year

  • Alex Bent + the Emptiness
  • Ev Thompson
  • Pimpton
  • RaytheNihilist
  • Rooky
  • soso

Metal/Loud Artist of the Year

  • Alien to the Ignorant
  • Before & Apace
  • Flash Back
  • Swayze
  • Tyler Gilbert

R&B Artist of the Year

  • Ariel
  • Emanali
  • MELODNA
  • Namoo Nara
  • People of the Sun
  • TOVA
  • vbnd

Rock/Pop Artist of the Year

  • Étienne Fletcher
  • Megan Nash
  • Scott Klein
  • The Garrys
  • velours
  • W3APONS

Roots/Folk Artist of the Year

  • Andino Suns
  • Jay & Jo
  • Jeffery Straker
  • Last Birds
  • The North Sound
  • Wolf Willow

Indigenous Artist of the Year

  • Jarrid Lee
  • The North Sound
  • The Northwest Kid
  • vbnd
  • Yvonne St.Germaine

Music Video of the Year

  • Dylan Hryciuk – Versa Films for Jeffery Straker – Ready to Be Brave
  • Dylan Hryciuk – Versa Films for Spiritbox – Hurt You
  • Dylan Hryciuk – Versa Films for velours – Whatever That Means
  • Gavin Baird for Alex Bent + the Emptiness – 2sides
  • Play Creative for Megan Nash & the Best of Intentions – Chew Quietly / Clean Slate
  • RAKK Productions, cinematographer Ryley Konechney for Minda Donaldo – Remember December
  • Tanner Goetz for Jess Moskaluke – Mapdot

Single of the Year

  • Hunter Brothers, “Been A Minute”
  • Hunter Brothers, “Diamonds”
  • Jess Moskaluke, “Nothin’ I Don’t Love About You”
  • Jesse Brown & Rich Batsford, “Whispered Winds”
  • Nowujalo, “Wake Up”
  • Shantaia, “Had A Good Weekend”
  • Tesher x Jason Derulo, “Jalebi Baby”
  • The Sunset Kids, “I Wanna Be”
  • vbnd feat. Katie Tupper and The Soulmate Collective, “Slowly Starting to Take Form”
  • W3APONS, “Bye Baby Gone”

Industry Achievement

  • Broadway Theatre
  • Dale McArthur
  • Eliza Doyle
  • Grey Records 
  • Songs for Nature Team

Producer of the Year

  • Bart McKay
  • Chris Dimas
  • Factor Eight
  • Hal Schrenk
  • Josh Palmer

Venue of the Year

  • Broadway Theatre
  • Conexus Arts Centre
  • Hanks Tavern
  • The Happy Nun

Below are the nominees in playlist form on both Spotify and YouTube. Enjoy a taste of Saskatchewan!

And below are the video nominees for Best Music Video of the Year.