Three weeks after the nominations were announced, singer-songwriter Shawn Hook has learned he’s up for a Juno Award as Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
The delayed nod came after a previous nominee was ruled ineligible. Juno organizers took Elisapie out of the running because she won a Juno in 2005 for Aboriginal Album of the Year as one half of the duo Taima. Only first-time nominees are eligible for the Breakthrough Artist category.
Hook — aka Hlookoff — grew up in South Slocan. The pianist-guitarist released his debut album, Cosmonaut and the Girl last May, on Universal.
On his website, he writes: “Better late than never has never meant so much as it does now … I am honoured and ecstatic to be considered among my fellow nominees.”
He’s up against Weeknd, Kirk Isabella, Grimes, and Cold Specks in the Breakthrough Artist category.
The Junos will be held in Regina April 21. Hook said his career in music “has been an unpredictable, rewarding journey thus far and I am beyond thankful for the continued support from my family, fans, management, label and everyone who believes in what I do.”
Hook is also nominated for two Canadian Radio Music Awards for his song Every Red Light and will perform at the ceremony on Wednesday in Toronto.