Canadians Drake, Arcade Fire land multiple Grammy Award nominations

TORONTO – The Grammy Awards once again toasted a few favourite Canadian artists on Friday.

Toronto rap superstar Drake led the Canadian contingent with three nominations — even though this was a year in which the 28-year-old didn’t release an album.

He’s up for best rap song and best rap performance (both for his rousing anthem “0 to 100/The Catch-Up”), as well as best rap/sung collaboration for his light-hearted verses on I Love Makonnen’s hypnotic “Tuesday.”

That brings his career nomination tally up to a steep 21, though he’s won only one Grammy: best rap album in 2013.

Montreal’s Arcade Fire also scooped up a pair of nominations, for best alternative music album (for their sprawling experiment “Reflektor”) and best music video for their equality-minded “We Exist” clip, which starred “Amazing Spider-Man” actor Andrew Garfield.

Arcade Fire, of course, took prestigious album of the year honours back in 2011 for their chart-topping “The Suburbs.”

Also nominated again is outspoken Niagara Falls, Ont., dance producer Deadmau5, whose record “While (1<2)” merited recognition for best dance/electronic album.

It’s his sixth Grammy nomination, though he’s never won. And he’s betting it won’t happen this time, judging by his afternoon tweets:

— while the grammys are neat and whatever, my money is on Aphex Twin – Syro.

— … because it probably IS the best “ELECTRONIC” album. you just cant deny that… but Little Dragon tho, love her too.

Meanwhile, Tegan and Sara’s “Everything is Awesome!!!” — the gleeful ditty from “The Lego Movie” — has been named a contender for best song written for visual media, but the Calgary twins weren’t actually named in the nomination because they didn’t write the song.

Similarly, Neil Young’s “A Letter Home” collection received a nomination for best boxed or special limited edition package, but it went to art directors Gary Burden and Jenice Heo.

The field for album of the year was expected to be unveiled during a prime-time television special on Friday.

The 57th Grammys Awards will be held Feb. 8 at the Staples Center.