Fourteen years after her first JUNO Awards nomination, reggae artist Tonya P is once again being recognized on Canada’s biggest stage for music. When she heard the news that she was nominated for the 2025 JUNO Awards, her initial reaction was pure shock. “It feels incredible to be nominated for the second time. Personally, it means so much because it’s been 14 years since my first nomination,” she shared. “It still feels surreal.”
Despite not creating music for accolades, the nomination serves as a significant milestone in her career. “Over the years, I have tried to consistently create music that would be worthy of this recognition,” she said. “I hope this nomination helps get my music more highlighted and onto some national and international stages. I have a catalog of music that the world needs to hear.”
Tonya P’s latest single, ‘Rise,’ earned her a spot among some of the industry’s finest for Reggae Recording of the Year. She shares the category with ‘Destiny’ – Lee “Scratch” Perry & Bob Riddim, ‘Born to Be Free’ – Exco Levi, ‘Fallback’ – King Cruff & Runkus, and ‘Sky’s the Limit’ – Skystar.
For Tonya P, ‘Rise’ holds deep personal significance. The song was born out of a time of struggle and emotional hardship. “I was experiencing pure negativity—I felt defeated, broken, shame, embarrassment. There are so many words I could use to describe the driving force behind this song,” she explained.
“A while back, my husband and I went through an extremely difficult time. We were so down, and it felt like we lost it all. All we had was each other to lean on.” Instead of letting the situation consume her, she transformed her pain into music. “The words were so uplifting and gave me the strength to keep pushing and to keep positive, knowing that we would find a way to ride out the storm. The song brought me healing when I needed it the most.”
Tonya P has long been a force in the Canadian reggae industry, but it hasn’t been without challenges. One of her biggest hurdles has been getting her music consistently played on Canadian radio. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, she and her husband, Mally Bless, took matters into their own hands by creating Starliners Live, a platform designed to help other artists who feel unheard.
Recognizing the global appreciation for reggae, Tonya P has also forged connections with DJs in Jamaica and the UK, broadening her fan base. “There are various platforms all over the world that love and appreciate reggae music, so I’ve connected with several DJs in Jamaica and the UK. That has really helped me expand my reach,” she said.
For emerging artists navigating the music industry, Tonya P offers words of wisdom: “Find your sound. Nothing beats originality. Just be you and be consistent. Nothing happens overnight. Never give up. Invest in yourself, believe in yourself. Bet on yourself.”
Despite the obstacles, Tonya P has achieved many proud moments throughout her career. “One of the biggest highlights for me was releasing my album ‘Concrete Rose’ and creating a livestream concert during COVID with some of my favorite musicians in the city,” she said. “Winning my first Canadian Reggae Music Award (2007), receiving my first JUNO nomination (2011), winning my two Reggae North Music Awards last year, and now being nominated for a JUNO this year—it’s all been an incredible journey.”
With this new recognition, Tonya P is more inspired than ever. She is actively writing new music, collaborating with artists and producers, and planning a new EP or album. Fans can also look forward to a full concert where she will perform a mix of songs from her past and present catalog. As she continues her journey, Tonya P remains committed to her passion for reggae music and hopes her work continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
