The Lytics a class act after latest kudos

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This article was published 21/9/2016 (2110 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg hip-hop group the Lytics is going to the Junos, no matter what. 

The quintet has been named one of three winners of the Allan Slaight Juno Master Class, an artist development program that provides the necessary tools to emerging artists to make them "Juno-ready," through industry education and financial help.

"We are super-excited for this. Don't even really know what to expect, but I know it'll be special," says band member Anthony Sannie in an email to the Free Press.

The Lytics, along with Neon Trees of Halifax and Youngblood of Vancouver, will take an all-inclusive trip to Toronto at the end of October for a week of mentorship with industry leaders and Canadian artists, which will end with a showcase night. The winners also receive a trip to the 2017 Juno Awards in Ottawa, a performance slot at Junofest and the chance to perform at the Juno Gala and Dinner Awards. 

In addition to those perks, the program also awards the three winners with a $10,000 music video grant from MuchFACT — a foundation to assist Canadian talent funded by MuchMusic — studio time at Slaight Music Recording Studios and a cash investment.

The winners were chosen by a jury of Juno award-nominated artists, which this year included Lights, Max Kerman of Arkells, Kardinal Offishall and Gavin Brown, along with producers and other music-industry executives.

Sannie and his brother (and bandmate) Andrew were expecting the call Wednesday, but when they still hadn't heard anything after an hour of waiting, they assumed they hadn't won. Just as Andrew was on his way out the door, the call came, saying the Lytics were in. 

Andrew says the band is looking forward to the master class helping them grow as a group and to become "better performers, artists and just professionals in general." 

This is the second year for the Master Class program; last year, another Winnipeg artist was included among the three coveted spots — folk singer-songwriter Slow Leaves. 

You can follow along with the Lytics' journey through a series of mini-documentaries produced by Juno TV that will run on Junotv.ca.

For more information about the Allan Slaight Juno Master Class, including eligibility, full list of prizes and submission guidelines, visit www.junomasterclass.ca.