ST. JOHN'S — Reggae musician Jah'Mila delivered a powerful speech on the East Coast Music Awards stage in Newfoundland Thursday night, offering a hopeful appeal for collaboration and change after her win for R&B/soul release of the year.
The Halifax-based Jamaican Canadian singer noted that her winning song, "Never Fail," is neither R&B nor soul. She said she was excited for the work and the changes to come within the East Coast Music Association that will result in a reggae song being honoured in the future in a more fitting category.
"There are thousands of artists in the East Coast that are looking to us as an example, as the standard," Jah'Mila told the crowd in St. John's, N.L. "Please don't let them down."
"I'm shaking right now because it took a lot of balls to share what I did onstage," the artist told reporters backstage after her address, tears streaming down her face. "But I felt like it was very necessary, because I love being a part of this community. And if we don't all come together to fix it and we just sweep it under the rug, it will keep on persisting."
The East Coast Music Awards celebrate musicians in Atlantic Canada and the annual event includes shows, workshops and networking events that can be crucial for musicians hoping to make connections and show off their work.
The awards show and five-day conference has faced turmoil since last fall, when some association members complained about a lack of transparency and representation. The East Coast Music Association ousted CEO Blanche Israel in January, prompting outcry among members who said she had meaningfully moved the needle on much-needed diversity and inclusivity.
Several musicians then withdrew their nominations in protest, including Wolastoqiyik tenor Jeremy Dutcher, who said he stood in solidarity with those calling for more clarity on the direction of the organization.
The non-profit was formed more than 30 years ago to support local artists and run the awards show, but critics have suggested it's fallen out of step with the times. Some claim organizers lean too heavily into folk and rock music, downplaying the region's burgeoning community of musicians who represent other music genres.
"I'm looking forward to positive, constructive conversations, and some transparency," Jah'Mila said. "For us all as a community, we have such a great thing here on the East Coast. Don't take it for granted."
The biggest night in Atlantic Canadian music began with an emotional tribute to Mark Hiscock, a beloved accordionist who died this week in St. John's.
Shanneyganock took the stage to kick off the night without Hiscock, their longtime member, and dedicated their performance to him.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians took early awards with Kellie Loder snagging the fans' choice awards for entertainer of the year and video of the year, and Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds winning Indigenous artist of the year.
Edmunds also won the Juno in March for classical composition of the year for her piece "Angmalukisaa."
"This award means to me more than I can actually say in words ... as an Indigenous artist who is in classical music," Edmunds told reporters after her win. "To be an Indigenous artist, you can be any genre, any style."
Maggie Andrew, a singer-songwriter based in Nova Scotia, picked up the African Canadian artist of the year award for the second year in a row.
"I had a hard time actually being recognized when I first moved back to Nova Scotia," Andrew told reporters. "I'm here and I am Black, and this is a really cool award to win."
Other winners included rapper Classified, for solo artist of the year, and Newfoundland band Rum Ragged's song "Paddy Hyde," for traditional release of the year.
The traditional Newfoundland song "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's," written by Otto P. Kelland, was also inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025.
Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press
