Drake won two Grammy Awards in the pre-telecast portion of the ceremonies on Sunday, winning Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance for “Hotline Bling.”
The rapper/singer was not in the audience in Los Angeles, and wasn’t expected, as he is on tour and played Manchester, U.K. tonight.
Canadian songwriter Bernie Herms also came out an early winner at the pre-telecast ceremony.
The London, Ont.-born and Edmonton-raised musician took home a golden gramophone for best contemporary Christian music performance or song for “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family.
Scott, who is a singer in Lady Antebellum, also won best contemporary Christian music album for Love Remains, which features Herms’ song.
The second Canadian to win a Grammy in the pre-telecast ceremony was Toronto’s Larnelle Lewis, drummer for jazz instrumental band Snarky Puppy. That ensemble won for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
The spirit of Leonard Cohen’s music was felt during a performance by Grammy-nominee Judy Collins. The folk singer began with a memory of Cohen, a long-time friend and collaborator, and the first time he brought her the lyrics to “Suzanne.”
“He came into my living room and said, ‘I can’t play the guitar and I can’t sing,” she told the audience.
“And I don’t know if this is a song.”
She then launched into a solo performance of the Montreal poet’s famed song on a grand piano.
A number of other Canadians are up for Grammys in the pre-telecast, including indigenous singing group Northern Cree. The early show is streaming at Grammy.com/live .
Several Canadians are also going for gold at Sunday’s main Grammy Awards ceremony, including two of the country’s biggest pop performers.
Drake and Justin Bieber will square off against country singer Sturgill Simpson — already the winner of the country album of the year — and pop powerhouses Adele and Beyoncé, who are all nominated for album of the year.
The evening’s biggest prize is only one of eight nominations Drake has in his pocket.
Before Sunday, Drake had only won a single Grammy to his name for the 2011 rap album Take Care.
Bieber is another Canadian hoping to grab a few statues at this year’s show.
He’s nominated for his single “Love Yourself” in the best song and best pop solo performance categories.
His album Purpose is also up for best pop vocal album.
Bieber also only has one Grammy, which he won last year for contributing vocals to “Where Are U Now,” a side project of Skrillex and Diplo.
The Grammys main event airs on City and CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET.
With files from The Canadian Press
With files from The Canadian Press
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