2026 SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR | Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar) | | The JUNO Awards

Daniel Caesar (born Ashton Simmonds on April 5, 1995, in Oshawa, Ontario) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer known for his soulful blend of R&B, gospel, and alternative sounds. Raised in a religious household, Caesar began performing in church choirs before developing his own distinct musical style that combines emotional vulnerability with smooth, melodic vocals. He gained early recognition with his 2014 EP Praise Break and the 2015 follow-up Pilgrim’s Paradise, but his 2017 debut album Freudian propelled him to international acclaim. The project, featuring hits like “Get You” (featuring Kali Uchis) and “Best Part” (featuring H.E.R.), earned him multiple Grammy nominations and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance in 2019. Caesar’s sophomore album, Case Study 01 (2019), showcased a more experimental sound and included collaborations with artists such as John Mayer, Brandy, and Pharrell Williams. In 2023, he released Never Enough, further solidifying his reputation for introspective lyricism and genre-defying production. Known for his heartfelt storytelling and refined musicianship, Daniel Caesar remains one of the defining voices in contemporary R&B, bridging traditional soul with modern sensibilities while continuing to explore themes of love, faith, and identity.