Drake, Nickelback nab Canadian radio prizes

Popular rockers Nickelback, rapper Drake and lesser-known acts were among the winners at the 13th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards.

The trophies, handed out Friday night at a gala in Toronto, honour the country's rising radio music stars and their hit singles.

The 2010 winners are:

• Hot Adult Contemporary:Karl Wolf, Africa.
• Mainstream Adult Contemporary: Melanie Fiona, Give It To Me Right.
• Best Rock Group:Metric, Help I'm Alive.
• Best Dance/Urban/Rhythmic Act: Drake, Best I Ever Had.
• Contemporary Hit Radio: Stereos, Summer Girl.
• Best Country Group: One More Girl, I Can Love Anyone.
• Songwriter of the Year: Carly Rae Jepsenand Ryan Stewart for Tug of War.
• Chart Topper: Nickelback.
• Fan's Choice: Hedley.

Montreal's Wolf, who incorporates an international flavour into his R&B, soul and dance-inspired pop music, had a trio of nods going in, including a nomination in the Mainstream AC (Adult Contemporary) category as well as Fan's Choice.

Nickelback also had two songs in the songwriter division.

Held during Canadian Music Week, which runs from March 10-14, the awards celebrate the newly released songs that achieved the most "spins" on Canadian radio stations during the past year, as recorded by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.

A majority of the prizes except for Chart Topper and Fan's Choice are chosen through votes by radio announcers, program directors and music directors.