Preston Pablo, winner of Breakthrough Artist of the Year. JUNO Awards. Rogers Place. Monday, March 13, 2023. Edmonton, AB. Photo: CARASiPhoto JN647
“AY AY AY” showcases Preston Pablo’s ability to craft a pop hit with a celebratory, dance-inducing vibe. About the track, Preston shares, “this song is the fantasized world built around my wildest desires. It’s my materialistic idea of success being manifested through a song.”
This new visual follows his most recent award-winning achievement at this year’s 2023 JUNO Awards taking home the win in the Breakthrough Artist of The Year category. He took the stage at the broadcast and performed “Flowers Need Rain” on stage with fellow 31 East talent, Banx & Ranx and Rêve.
“When I first heard my name called, it was a rush of adrenaline,” Preston explains the win on Monday’s broadcast. “Now, it still feels surreal, and I don’t think it’s even set in yet. I really haven’t had much time to collect my thoughts truthfully. As soon as I landed back in Toronto after the Junos, we went right back to work to prepare for my first headline show. Once the show is done and I have some time to myself, I think it’ll all finally set in. I’m truly so grateful to have my name in the same category as the artists I was nominated alongside, let alone win. I’m happy that the amount of time and energy that went into this last year has been acknowledged. And now, I must make sure I use this new stage of my career to keep building! There’s new music on the way that I’m so excited to share with the world.”
WATCH PRESTON’S JUNO 23 PERFORMANCE WITH BANX & RANX AND RÊVE HERE
With his honest lyrics and an R&B melody, the emerging artist released “Love You Bad,” closing 2022 by showcasing his ability to cross genres. Last year was a banner year for Preston, with the rising chart success of his major label debut “Flowers Need Rain” with multi-platinum producer-songwriters Banx & Ranx. The double platinum-selling single currently has over 65M global streams and has reached the #1 spot at Mainstream AC in Canada, and has been holding strong in the top five at radio across Mainstream AC, Hot AC, and Top 40 since October 2022.
“Flowers Need Rain” was the #1 most Shazamed track in Canada and achieved multiple global Viral Top 50 Spotify playlist adds (such as Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and more). Preston leaves 2022 with 2 songs in the Top 5 at Mainstream AC – “Winter Wonderland” at #2 and “Flowers Need Rain” at #5 with over 200 million audience impressions on Canadian Radio.
Preston ends a career-highlighting week with his first-ever headline show at The Drake Underground in Toronto, which sold out in less than 72 hours. Preston is also heading out on tour supporting SonReal this spring, taking his engaging live performance and new tracks on the road around Canada. Preston was also announced as a performer at Osheaga this summer. Details here.
TOUR DATES:
March 31 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre*
April 1 – Saskatoon, SK – Capitol Music Club*
April 4 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall*
April 6 – Calgary, AB – The Rec Room Calgary*
April 7 – Vernon, BC – Vernon and District Performing Arts*
April 20 – Montreal, QC – Le Ministére
June 3 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage^
August 6 – Montreal, QC – OSHEAGA
*Supporting SonReal
^Supporting Walk Off the Earth
