JUNO Awards Reinstates Reggae Category For 2025 After Backlash

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has reversed its decision to remove the Reggae Recording of the Year category from the 2025 JUNO Awards following significant backlash from the music community.

Allan Reid, President and CEO of the JUNO Awards, released a statement on Instagram Tuesday addressing the controversy. According to Reid, CARAS will not hiatus the Reggae Recording of the Year category this year, along with two other categories that were under consideration for removal: Children’s Album of the Year and Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.

“Over the course of last year, CARAS underwent an extensive process reviewing all Award categories, taking into consideration data such as consumption, number of submissions, and other metrics. Given the feedback from the community, CARAS will not put these three categories on hiatus this year,” Reid explained.

Reid’s announcement did not address the fate of the International Album of the Year award, a fourth category that was also designated to go on “hiatus” next year.

However, the reversal should be welcome news to many in the Reggae community who had expressed deep disappointment with the initial decision, which was first reported earlier this month. Carrie Mullings, a former chair of the JUNO reggae committee, had previously stated that the removal of the category was “disheartening” and emphasized the importance of reggae music in promoting peace, love, and unity.

In an interview with the Gleaner published on Sunday, five-time JUNO Awards winner Exco Levi said, “There will be a pushback if the reggae category is pulled … we are not going to let it slide.”

“Reggae music is big globally and cannot be ignored. And, check this: two of Canada’s biggest artistes, Justin Bieber and Drake, are known for their reggae songs, which do exceptionally well,” Levi added.

Reid’s statement on Tuesday also hinted at future changes to the awards, promising that an official notice detailing all changes for the 2025 JUNO Awards categories will be released on Monday, September 23. “We are excited about these changes, including bringing in new categories to reflect the evolution of the Canadian music scene,” he said.

Reid continued: “We remain dedicated to ensuring the JUNO Awards reflect industry excellence and is representative of the diversity of the Canadian music industry.”

“I’m committed to working together to celebrate all the incredible talent that makes Canadian music so special.”

The 54th Juno Awards ceremony will take place at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena on March 30, 2025.