Rappers, sangers…it’s about that time!

http://junosubmissions.ca

2013 JUNO AWARDS CALLING FOR SUBMISSIONS IN THE CATEGORY OF RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR, ANNOUNCE TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO RAP ADVISORY BOARD

Toronto, ON (October 22, 2012) – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced that the 2013 JUNO Awards is currently accepting submissions in the category of Rap Recording of the Year. For the first time, Canada’s Queen City, Regina, SK will host The 2013 JUNO Awards and JUNO Week celebrations from April 15-21, 2013. The 42nd annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast on CTV from the Brandt Centre on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

The Rap Advisory Committee includes seasoned label representative Jay Devonish (eOne Entertainment), David “Click” Cox (Stylus DJ Awards), Greg Baptiste (MuchMusic/CTV), Jody Laraya (Universal Music Canada), Jesse Plunkett (HipHopCanada.com), Melissa “DJ MelBoogie” Langley (DJ/Publicist), Jay Swing (Donnelly Group/NationOfMillions.ca), Kyle Kraft (Battle Axe/ Krafty Entertainment), Dice B (CINQ 102.3FM), Don Smooth (K103FM), Rez (CityOnMyBack.com), Darryl Rodway (Urbnet), and Marlon Wilson, (Music for Mavericks/Politic Live). New to the Advisory Board this year are Alan Greyeyes and RS Smooth.

Alan Greyeyes is a member of the Peguis First Nation, founder of the Aboriginal Music Week Festival, Vice-Chairperson for the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, and the Aboriginal Music Program Coordinator for Manitoba Music. Representing Halifax, RS Smooth is a DJ/Host/Producer/Artist with a vast history in radio, including CKDU 88.1 FM, C100, 101.3 The Bounce, and Energy 103.5 FM.

Collectively, the committee continues to make strides in developing outreach to rap artists across the country, both English and Francophone, to increase the number of submissions. As a result of these concentrated efforts, the number of submissions received by CARAS in the category of Rap Recording of the Year has been steadily rising since the category was established in 1990. By partnering with radio shows, online magazines and DJs across the country, the committee hopes to continue to raise awareness throughout the community about the submissions and judging process, specifically for rap artists.

The JUNO Awards have been proven to be an excellent networking vehicle, not only for artists who win, but also for nominees and/or participants in various JUNO Awards events.

Sol Guy, former manager of past JUNO winner, K’Naan, had this to say about the JUNO nomination process: “The benefits of K’Naan’s first JUNO nomination were enormous; to develop a global career the first thing you must do is build your base at home. For us to be able to travel to the world and state that he had been recognized as a JUNO nominee was an instant entry point because it said to anyone in the industry that we were considered among the best in our genre.” Other previous nominees include Drake, Swollen Members, Shad, Sans Pression, DL Incognito, Belly, Checkmate, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Classified, Dubmatique, Concise, D-Sisive, Eternia, k-os, Famous and Sweatshop Union.

Submission forms are available at http://junosubmissions.ca

All submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2012.

Submission Fees and Deadlines:

CARAS offers an early bird submission fee to those who submit between October 1, 2012 and October 22, 2012. CARAS members receive a reduced submission fee applicable for both the early bird deadline as well as the final deadline. If you are eligible to submit, you are eligible for membership. Please visit www.carasonline.ca/members for more membership information.

The submission fee can be paid online with a credit card or by cheque.

October 1 – 22, 2012 (Early Bird Deadline)

$35 for CARAS Members

$60 for non-members

October 23 – November 13, 2012 (Final Deadline)

$70 for CARAS Members

$90 for non-members

January 11, 2013 (Deadline for Album and International Album of the Year)

$70 for CARAS Members

$90 for non-members

How it works:

360 Judges – Each year, judges are recruited for each of the 36 adjudicated categories to judge the material that is submitted. These individuals are responsible for listening to each of the submissions and voting for the best product in the genre. The judges change each year and are spread out in different facets of the music industry and different regions throughout Canada.

50 Nominating & Voting Committee Members – The Nominating & Voting Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the JUNO Awards. It is their responsibility to monitor any changes within the industry as it relates to the awards. The committee brings any necessary changes to the attention of the Board of Directors.

190+ Music Advisory Committee Members – Each category has an associated advisory committee that is responsible for ensuring that each of the submissions in their specific genre meets the required qualifications for the JUNO Awards.