Drake paid tribute to Nelly Furtado via pre-recorded video at the 2026 Juno Awards, inducting her into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He praised her as a trailblazer in Canadian music while airing a long-standing grievance against the Junos over a 2011 awards snub. Canadian rapper Shad later fact-checked Drake's claims on Instagram.
The 2026 Juno Awards, held on March 29 and hosted by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, featured Drake inducting Nelly Furtado into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In his video message, Drake called her 'our north star' and 'the Portuguese princess who could go from spitting sixteens with Swollen Members to dropping “Maneater” and “Promiscuous” with Timbaland.' He recalled seeing her plaques in her manager's office as he transitioned from acting to rap and highlighted their 2022 performance together of 'Promiscuous' and 'I’m Like a Bird.' Rappers like K-os and Saukrates praised her talent and character, he noted, as Furtado wiped away a tear on camera. Drake concluded by addressing the Junos directly: 'I know you’re still thinking about those six awards that you gave to Shad in 2011 when you snubbed Take Care as I hosted the 40th anniversary of your awards show.' He hosted the 2011 event but did not win any of his six nominations for Thank Me Later. Shad's TSOL won only Rap Recording of the Year that year, beating Drake in that category; Take Care won the same award for Drake in 2012. Shad responded on Instagram: '[Just] for the record: I won 1 Juno--not 6,' and clarified that Drake's 2011 album was Thank Me Later. He also shared a video lip-syncing to his verse on Homeboy Sandman’s 2023 track 'Ignoring Sh*t.' Drake signed off by telling Furtado to 'enjoy your Hall of Fame status, it’s long overdue' and teasing 'Iceman coming soon.' Tate McRae won Album of the Year for So Close to What?, Single of the Year for 'Sports Car,' and Artist of the Year. Joni Mitchell received the Lifetime Achievement Award and performed 'Big Yellow Taxi' with Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell. Furtado's induction included a tribute performance by Lido Pimienta, Tanya Tagaq, and Alessia Cara.
