Ottawa native up for Grammy award for work with Post Malone
Posted Mar 14, 2021 08:15:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ottawa’s Kaan Gunesberk could win a Grammy this year, but you won’t catch him watching for the results.
The Canterbury High School graduate is up for his work and collaboration with Post Malone on his track Circles, at the 63rd annual awards show that celebrates the year in music.
The song, released in 2019, broke records by spending 34 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.
It also took the number one spot three times — once in November, December and then January.
Circles is in the running for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, which Gunesberk has a song writing credit for.
The 29-year-old, originally from Orleans, says it’s cool that his work is being recognized at the show, but isn’t feeling the pressure.
In fact, Gunesberk can’t exactly remember how he found out about the nomination or when — but he speculates it was probably from a friend when the nominations came out at the end of November.
“At first the ego is like the is cool, but personally I’m conscious of not putting too much weight into awards,” Gunesberk said. “I don’t know if there’s any legitimacy to it, but it’s cool to be acknowledged.”
Gunesberk said he had always envision his life engulfed in music, but it was a chance connection through a friend with Canadian producer and songwriter Frank Dukes that got the ball rolling.
“Mainstream work happened organically,” he said. “It just happened — I didn’t seek it out.”
As they worked more and more with each other, it meant more opportunity for Gunesberk.
Since about 2014, Gunesberk has worked with artists like Camilla Cabello on her hit Havana; Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes on their duet for Monster; Drake’s Red Hand (where he got to sing); Cardi B.’s Be Careful; The Weeknd and Travis Scott’s Wake Up and Post Malone’s Better Now.
Now the artist lives in Toronto, where’s been for 11 years — although he flies back and forth from Los Angeles at times.
As for what’s next for the Ottawa native, he’s working on personal projects like his own album.
If there’s any advice he has for others who want to follow in his footsteps, he had this to say: “I didn’t plan to be here, but what did lead me here is staying truly aligned with my beliefs system and integrity and doing what i love,” he said. “There’s no other way around it. Life is a long path and as I’ve learned over the years, finding a vocation and being grateful to even have the privilege of following that path is what it’s about.”
The 63rd Grammy Awards airs Sunday, March 14 at 8 p.m. EST.
