In Canada
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The 2025 Juno Awards will include awards for reggae recording, Christian/gospel album, and children’s album, after all.
CARAS, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), has reportedly reversed a planned decision to put those three categories on hiatus, as well as the award for international album, the fate of which remains unknown.
Earlier in September, The Canadian Press obtained a letter which revealed the planned suspension of the four categories, part of a “broader set of updates” still to be announced.
Response was swift from the music industry and beyond, with many citing concerns that reggae recording and Christian/gospel album, especially, are categories that honour genres led by Black musicians.
“There’s a lot of anger among us reggae folks,” Juno nominee Jason Wilson told The Canadian Press, adding that the removal of the reggae award could only “ring alarms of racism.”
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“While (the Junos) might be saying the right things about inclusion, in the very same breath they’re ditching reggae and gospel. How can this be reconciled?” Wilson said.
Politicians spoke out as well, with federal MP Michael Coteau — also the former Ontario Minister of Culture — advocating for the reggae, Christian/gospel, and children’s album categories to be reinstated. “Revisit this really bad decision,” Coteau said on X. City councillor Josh Matlow added his voice to the chorus as well.
Juno Awards president and CEO Allan Reid announced the decision to reinstate the categories on Tuesday, September 17.
“I want to personally address the recent discussions surrounding changes we were considering for the 2025 Awards,” Reid wrote on Instagram. “Over the course of last year, CARAS underwent an extensive process reviewing all Award categories, taking into consideration data such as consumption, number of submissions, and other metrics,” Reid explained. “Given the feedback from the community, CARAS will not put these three categories on hiatus this year.”
Speaking with the Toronto Star, publicist and cultural commentator Dalton Higgins (who previously called the decision to eliminate reggae “a slap in the face to…the Black community” and “a PR nightmare of epic proportions”) emphasized that CARAS shouldn’t have considered eliminating those categories without consulting the communities that contribute to them.
“To not engage the Jamaican community or the broader Caribbean community in a healthy two-way dialogue,” Higgins said, “it felt like we were taking 20 steps backwards.”
This isn’t the first time artists have called out the Junos on issues of recognition and representation, including previous boycotts by hip-hop artists Rascalz and Drake.
More information about the 2025 Juno Awards category changes will be announced on Sept. 23, Reid clarified in his post.
The 2025 Junos will take place in Vancouver. -Rosie Long Decter
Jeremy Dutcher Becomes The First Two-Time Polaris Music Prize Winner
Jeremy Dutcher has won the Polaris Music Prize. Again!
The Indigenous singer-songwriter of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) became the first two-time winner in the history of the music award, which celebrated its 19th edition this week (September 17) at Massey Hall in Toronto.
With the album Motewolonuwok, Dutcher beat nine other shortlisted albums: Cindy Lee’s Diamond Jubilee, NOBRO’s Set Your Pussy Free, TOBi’s Panic, DijahSB’s The Flower That Knew, Allison Russell’s The Returner, Bambii’s Infinity Club, Elisapie’s Inuktitut, The Beaches’ Blame My Ex and Charlotte Cardin’s 99 Nights.
Dutcher wins the $50,000 prize donated by the Slaight Family Foundation, which goes to the best Canadian album of the year, as determined by a jury of experts based solely on artistic merit.
“Six years ago, I put out my first record [and] this award changed my life,” he said. “I have unending gratitude to this music community. Not a single album on this list sounded like each other. That speaks to the breadth of music in this place.”
The night included performances by most of the nominated artists, with creative substitutions for those who couldn’t play: The Beaches’ Jordan Miller playing with teen band Thunder Queens, a string section playing along with a taped performance by Charlotte Cardin, a Cindy Lee video premiere, and a ballet inspired by Allison Russell’s “Eve Was Black.”
Read about the best moments of the the 2024 Polaris Prize gala here. -Richard Trapunski
Shaboozey Honoured at Toronto Concert as ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ Hits 16 Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Canadian Hot 100
Shaboozey has this year’s longest-running No. 1 hit on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy), and last week he got to celebrate it in a big way.
At his concert at Danforth Music Hall on Friday (Sept. 13), he welcomed Billboard Canada‘s Richard Trapunski, Mo Ghoneim and Jackson Turner onstage to present him with a plaque for the achievement.
“This is crazy man, this is nuts,” he said, raising the plaque triumphantly as the crowd cheered. “Y’all did it first!”
Shaboozey played the hit three times a row during his encore, with the crowd clearly loving every second of it.
The song has now spent 16 weeks atop the Canadian Hot 100, surpassing last year’s 15 weeks for Miley Cyrus’s hit “Flowers.” Lil Nas X has the current record at 19 weeks for “Old Town Road.” Shaboozey only needs three more weeks to tie it and four more to beat it.
“Let’s see if we can do it,” said the country star in his green room before the show, sitting backstage next to a portrait of Charley Crockett.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” hit No. 1 in Canada before the U.S. Hot 100, where it currently sits at 10 weeks at No. 1.
“I guess you guys got a lotta drinkers here, huh?” he joked, when asked why the song was resonating in Canada. “It just shows that you guys love to have fun. Every day is a celebration when people are listening to this song.”
The song is an ode to forgetting your troubles with a double shot of whiskey that interpolates rapper J-Kwon’s 2004 song “Tipsy.” An addictive country song that plays with elements of hip-hop and is easy to sing along to, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has shown to unite different kinds of listeners and get airplay in a variety of different radio formats.
Evidently, it also has a lot of staying power. -R.T.
Lisa Grossi Named Director of National Radio Promotion & Media Relations at Warner Music Canada
Warner Music Canada has announced the appointment of Lisa Grossi to the position of director, national radio promotion & media relations.
Grossi joins the company from Bell Media, where she served as the national music director for Virgin Radio & Move Radio, as well as music director & assistant program director for CHUM 104.5. She becomes the first woman ever to lead Warner Music Canada’s promotion department.
“Music is my passion. I live and breathe it,” Grossi says. “Growing up, it was my dream to work for a record label and I am so excited that this is now a reality. I’m thrilled to join Warner Music Canada to help break new artists and have continued success with their roster of established artists.”
Grossi has over 18 years of experience as a radio programmer, and the label heralds her appointment as a step to bring “Warner Music Canada’s radio team into the future.”
Madelaine Napoleone, vp of marketing, says “Lisa is a highly respected leader in the radio industry, bringing a fresh perspective on how we can enhance our partnership with radio both now and in the future. I’m also proud to share that with her appointment, we are the only major label in Canada to have an all-female radio team.”
Lisa Grossi was recently celebrated in the Industry Spotlight of Billboard Canada Women in Music. She gave this advice to the next generation of women in the industry: “Trust your gut. Speak your truth. Be authentic. Always give your honest opinion even if it’s not the popular opinion.”
That advice has led her into new terrain as she moves into the new role at Warner. –Kerry Doole
Billboard Canada Women in Music was a star-studded celebration in Toronto last Saturday night (Sept. 7). Rising stars, Canadian legends — and some of their parents — were on hand to honour the myriad achievements of women on stage and behind the scenes in the first-ever edition of Billboard Women in Music in Canada featuring guest of honor Alanis Morissette.
Morissette received the Icon Award, honoring her as one of the country’s all-time greatest artists. Morissette celebrated femininity and emphasized its importance to people of all genders. “Matriarchy takes care of everybody,” she told the crowd, to a round of cheers.
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She was introduced by two Canadian stars — broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos and Woman of the Year Charlotte Cardin, both of whom spoke to her massive influence.
Taking the stage to accept the award, Morissette — who has sold over 60 million records, with her breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill widely ranked as one of the best albums ever made — had her own thoughts to share on what it means to be an icon. She joked that even cereal boxes are called iconic these days. For her, though, an icon is someone who serves as a symbol of the safety to explore. Morissette reflected on how icons can inspire fans and listeners to probe the unconscious and to express themselves in new ways.
She also considered what it means to be a Canadian icon, enumerating some Canadian qualities that have helped her to succeed: curiosity and humility. Fame can be an isolating experience, Morissette shared — especially in the ‘90s, when there wasn’t a big girl-squad mindset, but fame has allowed her to also support and connect with people.
The night was filled with highlights, from Jessie Reyez dedicating her Trailblazer Award to her mother, who was in attendance, to performances from artists including Haviah & Omega Mighty, Tia Wood, Anjulie and more.
One of the most powerful moments came from Jully Black, known as Canada’s Queen of R&B, who took the Billboard Canada SiriusXM stage for a deeply impactful cover of Bob Marley’s classic “Redemption Song,” keeping the audience rapt for her 11-minute rendition.
In an elegant white and yellow gown, she commanded the stage, accompanied by a pianist and guitarist. She began with a moment of silence — no small feat, in a packed room full of industry honourees — reminding the crowd that though this was a celebration, many women around the world don’t get the opportunity to celebrate themselves.
“I stand here as my ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Black told the crowd, before leading a sing-along of “This Little Light of Mine,” bringing the crowd together as a community.
Adding a new lyric into Marley’s song about bondage and freedom, she asked a new question: “how long shall they kill our women?”
She descended into the audience to connect with fans and peers on the floor before returning back to the stage, and reflecting on her own beginning in the industry.”29 years ago I sang a hook called ‘What It Takes,’ by Choclair,” she remembered. “There was no infrastructure, there was no radio, for people, women, that looked like me,” she continued. “Women are paid less, if you don’t have a seat at the table build your own.”
She finished with heartfelt, hard-hitting vocalizations on Bob Marley’s refrain, closing out a performance that emphasized how far Canadian women in music have come, and how much there is left to do.
Watch the whole video here.
Selena Gomez, The Tragically Hip, Pharrell Williams Make Headlines at the Toronto International Film Festival
Some of the music industry’s biggest names have been descending on Toronto over the past week for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film festival has transformed downtown Toronto into a hub for celebrities, high fashion and red carpet glitz. It’s also brought many of music’s biggest stars to town, including Selena Gomez, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Pharrell Williams and more.
Selena Gomez came to Toronto for her new movie Emilia Pérez, a musical crime comedy that follows a Mexican cartel leader who comes out as a trans woman. Gomez plays the title character’s wife.
In an interview on the red carpet, Selena Gomez told Billboard Canada how her pop career actually worked against her for the role as she was learning the dance style of the film.
“I think it was really important that I let go of the pop star thing and kind of focus on more intricate dance that I’ve never really done before,” she said. “So it was really fun.”
Beloved Canadian rockers The Tragically Hip premiered a new four-part docuseries at TIFF, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal. The series features new interviews and archival footage of the band, recounting their rise to stardom and the diagnosis of lead singer Gord Downie, who died in 2017 of brain cancer. Outside the screening, local choral collective Choir! Choir! Choir! led a massive sing-along of one of the band’s classic songs, “Ahead By A Century,” reminding attendees that love for The Hip runs deep.
The premiere of Pharrell Williams‘ LEGO-fied animated biopic Piece By Piece on Tuesday night (Sept. 10) was interrupted by an animal rights protester who stormed the stage during a Q&A session waving a sign that read: “Pharrell stop supporting killing animals for fashion” and shouting “Pharrell stop torturing animals!” Pharrell Williams is the creative director of the Louis Vuitton men’s collection.
Rather than move past it, Williams addressed the protester directly and said “You know what? You’re right.” He continued on that it wasn’t the right way to make her point, but that she did have a point. “…We’re actually working on that. And if she would have just asked me, I would have told her. But instead she wanted to repeat herself.”
Elton John was at the festival with his Canadian husband David Furnish, as was Bruce Springsteen and musician K’naan, who made his feature directorial debut. Check out more of TIFF’s top music moments here. – Rosie Long Decter
Hailey Benedict Signs to Big Loud Records
Rising country artist Hailey Benedict is making some big moves, as she inks a deal with Nashville’s Big Loud Records.
The Alberta singer announced the signing at Billboard Canada Women in Music celebration on Saturday, September 7.
Taking the stage in a sparkling silver fit, Benedict revealed that she’s signed with Big Loud and its Canadian-based imprint Local Hay, helmed by country star Dallas Smith. She followed up the announcement with a performance of her upcoming single “Things My Mama Says,” set to be her first release on Local Hay on October 4.
Benedict has been building to this moment since she was a kid — she first rose to national attention at the age of 14, when Keith Urban invited her on stage at a sold-out show in 2016 to perform an original song.
Since then, she’s released successful singles like 2021’s “Wanted You To,” built up an online fan base including 250K TikTok followers, and performed at major events like the Country Music Alberta Awards. In 2023, she won the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition and she’s heading into this fall’s Canadian Country Music Awards with a nomination for Breakthrough Artist.
All of that makes the timing right for Benedict to shift from an independent artist to working with a label that knows how to navigate the country landscape.
“I’m ecstatic to begin this new chapter with such an incredibly creative and dedicated team that shares my vision for my songwriting, artistry and career,” Benedict said in a statement. “After a decade as an independent artist, it was crucial for me to partner with a record label that aligns with my values and passion for music.”
k.d. lang and The Reclines will perform together for the first time in 35 years in Edmonton on Sept. 14 for the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards.
lang may have found international fame as a pop superstar with a powerful and emotionally expressive voice and as a queer icon, but her roots in country music run deep. She first made her mark in Canadian music as a maverick cowpunk artist back in the ’80s, at the start of a career that has spanned over four decades.
“Reuniting with The Reclines after 35 years in Edmonton for the CCMA Awards feels like a full-circle moment,” shares lang. “The bond we shared, both musically and personally, remains as strong as ever, and revisiting a song that shaped our journey together is incredibly special. I’m thrilled to bring this experience to life on such a celebrated stage and share it with fans, both old and new.”
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Based in her birthplace of Edmonton, k.d. lang and the Reclines were together from 1983 to 1989, after starting out as a Patsy Cline tribute act. The first band featured Stu Macdougal on keys, Dave Bjarnson on drums, Gary Koligar on guitar and Farley Scott on bass.
After regular gigging at Edmonton’s Sidetrack Café, the group gained national attention with its 1984 album, A Truly Western Experience. Her unique sense of fashion and energetic performance style caught the attention of Rolling Stone, who dubbed her “a Canadian Cowpunk.” lang earned a 1985 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist, famously accepting the award wearing a borrowed wedding dress.
k.d. lang will also be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame, adding to her remarkable legacy of accolades. –Kerry Doole
The Billboard Canada Women in Music Industry Spotlight
This week, Billboard Canada unveiled the full Billboard Canada Women in Music honours.
Stars like Alanis Morissette, Charlotte Cardin and LU KALA will be at the Billboard Canada Women in Music event on September 7 in Toronto.
In addition to those award-winners, which include Executive of the Year Kristen Burke, the head of Warner Music Canada and the only female major label head in the country, there is also an Industry Spotlight list of women from throughout the Canadian music industry.
From label boardrooms to influential positions in radio, touring, festivals, artist funding and more, women and gender-diverse people are shaping music.
Each person featured on the Industry Spotlight list also gave their advice for the next generation of women in the music industry, from speaking honestly and authentically, to surrounding yourself with other talented and supportive women.
There are also exclusive videos of interviews and performances of Billboard Canada Women in Music honourees, including The Beaches, Allison Russell and artist manager Laurie Lee Boutet.
Because of the incredible contributions of women and gender-diverse individuals, Billboard Canada Women in Music is not only a celebration of women, but of Canadian music as a whole – and a vision for where it can go next. –Richard Trapunski
AP Dhillon Safe Following Reports of Gunshots at His Home Near Victoria, B.C.
Gunshots were fired into the home of Punjabi-Canadian musician AP Dhillon early Monday morning (September 2).
B.C. police are investigating the incident, with CTV News reporting that around 1:15 a.m. the RCMP was called to the house. There are reports of two vehicles set on fire, in addition to multiple gunshots, as well as reported video of the shooting circulating online.
“I’m safe. My people are safe,” Dhillon shared on Instagram.
The Times of India reports that an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the shooting on social media, threatening Dhillon for working with Salman Khan. The actor and producer Khan had a cameo appearance in the video for Dhillon’s new Billboard Canadian Hot 100-charting single, “Old Money,” and the gang reportedly has a history of targeting Khan.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that this was a targeted event and there is no information to believe that the general public is at any further risk as a result,” says a statement from the West Shore RCMP detachment.
The gunfire follows Dhillon’s recent major label signing with Republic Records, with “Old Money” marking the first release as part of that deal. –Rosie Long Decter
Billboard Canada Women of the Year is coming up on September 7, and the Woman of the Year has been named: Charlotte Cardin.
The Montreal artist is the first Canadian artist to win the prestigious award, joining prior Billboard Women of the Year including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Madonna, Billie Eilish, SZA and Karol G.
Since releasing her second full-length album 99 Nights a year ago, the singer-songwriter has had two EP releases, multiple chart hits, and an international breakthrough that’s brought her from the NBA All-Star game to a gala singing for U.S. President Joe Biden. Now, amidst a world tour that’s brought her all over North America and Europe, she’s entered a new phase of her career — an undeniably global one.
She talks about it all in a new digital cover story for Billboard Canada.
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“Being able to export my music makes me feel so good,“ she says. “It’s even the thing that makes me the happiest. Ever since I was little I wanted to make [music] my career, and it makes me even happier to know that it can do good for other people.”
When it was released, 99 Nights stayed on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart for 31 weeks. In March, her infectious pop single “Confetti” debuted on the U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Airplay chart, remaining there for 16 weeks. It was one of many singles to also chart on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.
While she primarily sings in English, with her personal-yet-relatable pop music, Cardin is a rare Francophone Quebec artist — taking a path forged by Celine Dion and travelled by artists like Coeur de pirate — to break through in English-speaking Canada and America.
The Woman of the Year award will bring her from her Europe tour to Toronto for Billboard Canada Women in Music on September 7, where she will accept the award and sing a special piano-led performance at the ceremony.
She’ll keep good company, joining one of the most successful Canadian artists of all time Alanis Morissette, who will accept the Icon Award.
Other honorees include Jessie Reyez (Trailblazer Award), Jully Black (Impact Award), The Beaches (Group of the Year), LU KALA (Rising Star), Allison Russell (Breakthrough Artist of the Year) and more.
There will also be a number of big performances, including from award winners Jully Black, LU KALA, charting Montreal dance-pop artist Rêve, Polaris Prize winning rapper Haviah Mighty and many more. – Richard Trapunski
Two Long-Running Canadian Acts Go Indie
Call it the Seven Year Itch perhaps? After that long on Sony Nashville, critically-acclaimed award-winning Canadian country star Tenille Townes has left her label in favor of forging ahead as an independent artist.
As reported earlier in Billboard, Townes broke the news via an Instagram post on Monday (Aug. 26). It reads, in part: “My Nashville record label and I have parted ways. This is not a sob story, but a story of opportunity. We had a really good run and this is a big shift for me. We haven’t been seeing eye to eye on my music and my path and it’s creatively been a struggle waiting on green lights inside a corporate system that doesn’t make a lot of sense anymore.
“I want the freedom to write and record a song and be able to get it to you guys, and making this decision means I can do that as I take back ownership of what I create. And that feels liberating and if I’m honest it also feels terrifying.”
She has long been established as one of Canada’s elite country artists, winning 17 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards and two Juno Awards for Best Country Album. Townes has Canadian tour dates in Atlantic Canada and Ontario, Oct. 9-26 and will perform at Rogers Place in Edmonton for the 42nd annual CCMA Awards 2024 CCMA Awards on Sept. 14.
Townes is the second prominent Canadian act to take the leap from major label to independent status in as many weeks. Saskatoon rockers The Sheepdogs recently split from Warner Music Canada and bought back their catalogue, launching their own label Right On Records, distributed through The Orchard worldwide.
They marked the occasion with the release of a surprise new five-track EP, Paradise Alone. For the ‘70s rock throwback band, who gained prominence after winning a contest to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone in 2012, it represents a turning point.
“We’ve been a band for 20 years, and pretty comfortable with who we are and how we do things. We’ve lasted this long by staying true to ourselves, doing things our way, and not chasing trends,” said bassist Ryan Gullen in a statement, noting that the band already handles their own management, marketing and production. “Acquiring our catalogue and starting our own label is about taking things to the next level. We want to be in the driver’s seat, doing things our way, and maybe even helping other artists do the same. With so much constantly changing, we’re focused on staying true to our approach.” – Kerry Doole
AP Dhillon’s new major label deal is off to a good start.
The Punjabi-Canadian artist’s first single on Republic Records, released “in alliance with” Universal Music Canada, has debuted at No. 53 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.
“Old Money” is a catchy and replayable mix song with lyrics that translate to something reminiscent of post-breakthrough Drake: “Every girl wants to know how I’m doing / ever since they realized my worth.”
But what elevates the song into full blockbuster is its music video, which reunites two major movie stars for a cinematic homage to the ’90s action films from India that Dhillon grew up watching. Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt star in the video alongside Dhillon and his longtime collaborator Shinda Kahlon in an epic and bloody short film complete with car-chases and gunfights (it ends with the message, “Say no to violence”).
Dhillon isn’t the only star from India making moves on the Canadian Hot 100. “Big Dawgs” from Hanumankind and Kalmi moves into the top 10 this week, hitting No. 9 at the same time it also hits No. 9 on the Global 200 and No. 8 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart. Punjabi-Canadian artist Karan Aujla‘s debut Bollywood soundtrack single “Tauba Tauba” also holds on the Canadian Hot 100 at No. 81. The Punjabi Wave is in full force.
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Head here for a full breakdown of this week’s Canadian Hot 100. – Richard Trapunski
Charlotte Cardin, Jully Black and More to Perform at Billboard Canada Women in Music 2024
Billboard Canada Women in Music is loading up with talent for the Sept. 7 celebration in Toronto.
Guest of honour Alanis Morissette will appear at the event alongside other stars including Jessie Reyez, and they’ll be joined by some big live performances.
Montreal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin will take a rare break from her world tour during a breakthrough year with charting hits from “Confetti” to “99 Nights” and performances at the NBA All-Star game and for Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden.
Jully Black is planning a special cover for the event. The celebrated R&B/soul artist, who has collaborated with artists like Nas and Kardinal Offisshall, has been repping Canada for decades, and is now being embraced by new generations of fans.
Breakout pop singer LU KALA will accept her Rising Star award at the ceremony, and she’ll also grace the stage for a performance of her empowering pop hits. Acclaimed Toronto hip-hop artist Haviah Mighty will co-host the Billboard Canada Women in Music event and also bring the energy in a performance of her own.
A pair of fast-rising singers will also get a spotlight. Juno-winning Montreal artist Rêve has hit the Billboard charts a number of times with her infectious dance-pop hits, and was also named Billboard’s Dance Artist of the Month. Soulful Plains Cree and Salish singer Tia Wood released her first single, “Dirt Roads,” just two months ago, but already has a dedicated audience of fans who’ve been following her on her popular TikTok account.
Tickets to attend Billboard Canada Women in Music are available for purchase here.
Former Just For Laughs Executive Christine Melko Ross Joins Live Entertainment Company Outback Presents
A former executive at Just For Laughs is taking her expertise to another major live entertainment promoter.
Christine Melko Ross will be the new senior vp of global operations at Nashville-based Outback Presents, taking charge of expanding the company’s Canadian footprint.
Melko Ross was with Just for Laughs (JFL) for 23 years, before the Montreal comedy company filed for creditor protection earlier this year to avoid bankruptcy and laid off the majority of its staff. At JFL, Melko Ross helped launch the Toronto edition of the Just for Laughs festival, built up the company’s touring division, and was integral to its flagship Montreal festival’s operations.
In Canada, Outback isn’t as high-profile as a comedy brand, but the company placed No. 6 on Billboard‘s year-end Box Score promoters list for 2023 and is handling upcoming tours from comedians like Shane Gillis, Bill Burr and Jim Gaffigan.
Melko Ross tells Billboard Canada she’s excited to help Outback grow its presence in Canada, and not just in major markets like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
“Canadians love to laugh so we want to make sure that they’re entertained from coast to coast,” she says. “There’s lots of opportunity to do things in smaller places.” She highlights cities like Victoria and Regina and emphasizes that the Maritimes are often overlooked by touring acts.
“They’re great audiences — Halifax has five universities in it. That’s a growing market.”
It’s a tricky time for the live performance industry. Many festivals and venues, JFL amongst them, are facing existential threats from a combination of factors: lost revenue during the pandemic, rising overhead costs, and audiences that are slow to get back in their seats.
But Melko Ross says comedy fans have been coming to shows in droves.
“I think it’s gonna continue growing,” she adds. “I do think that that’s one area of the arts that has been very strong.”
JFL itself was revived in a smaller form this summer when Quebec comedy company ComediHa! acquired its assets. The new owner put on a renamed edition of the festival featuring Dane Cook and Bassem Youssef.
“It’s a brand that many of us hold dear to our heart, so hopefully the spirit of that remains,” Melko Ross says of JFL. – Rosie Long Decter
Breakdancing debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2024 Olympics in Paris — and a Canadian competitor won a gold medal in its first year.
The Vancouver-based Phil Wizard, born Philip Kim, took home the gold in breaking, beating France’s own Dany Dann in the final.
Breaking won’t be at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, but the art form that began on the streets of the Bronx as one of the four pillars of hip-hop was well represented at this year’s event. The men’s tournament, which took place on Saturday (Aug. 10), was filled with impressive moves as dancers battled each other one-on-one.
Unlike other music-based events like rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming, the breakers didn’t know which songs they would be dancing to, which meant there was a heavy dose of improv. The DJ played plenty of hip-hop classics, from A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Scenario” to Method Man‘s “Judgement Day” to “Live at the Barbeque” by New York/Toronto group Main Source.
Wizard and his competitors busted out some head-spinning moves, showing off the art of breaking to the world after a competitor at the previous day’s women’s tournament made news for different reasons. After going viral for her less-than-crisp bunny hops and sprinklers, Raygun (a.k.a. Australia’s Rachael Gunn), has faced significant backlash and accusations of rigging the process to get to the Olympics.
“I didn’t realize that would open the door to so much hate,” Gunn said in a statement this week. “Which has frankly been pretty devastating. While I went out there and I had fun, I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics and I gave my all, truly.”
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The tone was different for Wizard, who expressed his thanks on Instagram this week.
“The sheer amount of love and support from this past week has warmed my heart,” he said. “My goal winning aside was to enjoy the moment as much as possible, as it was years in the making coming down to one moment. I didn’t want to let that one moment define me ever, and I wanted to show how much love I have for this art, dance, community, sport. Looking back I can’t help but be in awe of everyone that showed up, both on and off the field. The camaraderie between all the competitors was truly beautiful, all knowing how hard it was to get here.” – Richard Trapunski
Tragically Hip Docuseries ‘No Dress Rehearsal’ Will Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival
A beloved Canadian band is shedding new light on their journey. The Tragically Hip, who are celebrating 40 years since their founding, will premiere a long-promised new Prime Video docuseries at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is directed and produced by late frontman Gord Downie‘s older brother Mike and features never-before-seen footage of the band. It tells the story of their rise to popularity — the band has nine No. 1 albums in Canada and 17 Junos, and is synonymous with Canadian music for many listeners — and the tragic loss of Downie from brain cancer in 2017.
“This project is a labour of love,” said Mike Downie in a statement. “We set out to understand what held the band together, what pushed them apart and how they captured the hearts and minds of so many fans both in Canada and around the world.”
The brand new trailer for the four-episode series features reflections from the band members on The Hip’s ups and downs as well as their final tour with Downie in 2015 after his diagnosis. The interviews are accompanied by concert footage and commentary from well-known Canadians like actor Will Arnett and broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos. The band’s longtime manager, Jake Gold, serves as an executive producer.
After its TIFF premiere, the series will stream on Prime Video, though no date is available yet. Incidentally, the series follows another recent Prime Video documentary on a Canadian icon dealing with illness: I Am: Céline Dion.
TIFF 2024 is also set to feature appearances from musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Pharrell Williams. The festival runs Sept. 5-15. – Rosie Long Decter
PartyNextDoor Re-Enters Canadian Albums Chart Following Drake Collaboration News
A local star is back on the Canadian Albums chart this week after a headlining-grabbing performance at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.
PartyNextDoor‘s PartyNextDoor 4 (P4) has re-entered the chart at No. 87 following that headlining show, which saw a special appearance by Party’s longtime collaborator Drake.
After playing his own set, Drake brought PartyNextDoor back to the stage before the show’s end to duet on “Come and See Me” and announce some special news: “We’ve been working on something for y’all,” he said. “When it gets a little chilly, PartyNextDoor and Drake album will be waiting right there for you.”
In the meantime, Party’s own album has seen a resurgence, re-entering the chart where it spent three previous weeks and peaked at No. 13. The album is also on the Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 152 (Canadian Albums only has 100 spots).
Also on the Canadian Albums chart this week, Punjabi artist Navaan Sandhu has debuted at No. 97 with his album, The Finest. Amritsar-born Sandhu has been racking up millions of streams with the album, and the music video for its title track, released two weeks ago, has 2.9 million views.
The chart debut is yet another indicator of Punjabi music’s popularity in the country, with artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla and AP Dhillon seeing similar success on Canada’s charts over the last year.
Ye and Ty Dolla $ign‘s Vultures 2 is the No. 1 album in Canada this week. – RLD
One of pop music’s biggest breakouts stole the show at Montreal’s Osheaga Music & Arts Festival last Saturday (Aug. 3). It’s rare to see the festival grounds packed at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon – especially on a day with a heat warning – but for the celebratory queer pop of Chappell Roan, fans were willing to take the heat.
She was booked for the festival last fall, but since then, the Midwest Princess has exploded in popularity, opening for Olivia Rodrigo and charting six songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Her afternoon slot felt mismatched to her current stature, but Chappell made the most of it, turning in a performance that hit harder than Green Day’s headline set later that night.
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The set followed a similarly frenzied performance at Lollapalooza two days earlier that reportedly broke attendance records. At one point, Chappell made an honest mistake that also reminded the crowd where she should have been on the lineup. “Tonight, we’re going to,” she began – before remembering it was the afternoon.
“She’s the only reason that we’re here today,” said one Montreal fan named Maria. She discovered Roan a year-and-a-half ago on TikTok, and said she got emotional during “Pink Pony Club.” “It’s so nice to have everybody here,” Maria added, “we’re here for the same reason: to support an amazing queer artist and to live in each other’s queer joy.”
More than 147,000 music fans packing into Parc Jean-Drapeau for Osheaga’s three days – the festival’s second-highest attendance in its 17 years. Fans packed in to see sets by acts like SZA, Green Day and Noah Kahan, creating a big-ticket atmosphere. It was also hampered by the later revelation of a tragedy, with one festival-goer found drowned in the Olympic Basin at Parc Jean-Drapeau after leaving the Osheaga grounds. An investigation into the death is underway.
Other highlights included breakout Canadian musician TALK (who’s especially big in Quebec), a rain-delayed set by British singer RAYE, a charismatic performance by Tyla and a Hozier set for a rapt audience in which he called for a ceasefire and “a Palestine free from occupation.” -Rosie Long Decter
Shaboozey Hits 10 Weeks At No. 1 on Billboard Canadian Hot 100
Someone pour him up a double shot of whiskey: Shaboozey just hit a chart milestone in Canada.
The Virginia singer has notched his tenth week atop the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” The song is also still on top in the U.S., though only for its fourth week.
Shaboozey
Daniel Prakopcyk
In Canada, it’s the clear song of the summer. Briefly knocked from its top spot by Morgan Wallen and Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” and then Eminem’s “Houdini,” “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has held the spot consecutively since the week of June 22.
It’s maybe an unusual candidate for song of the summer, less peppy and optimistic than “I Had Some Help” or Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” But “A Bar Song” has a folk-country sound that’s always done well in Canada and a thematic depth that helps it resonate.
The song interpolates J-Kwon’s 2004 hip hop track “Tipsy,” replacing its synth line with an acoustic guitar strum. Shaboozey transforms a hype track for the club into a melancholy country anthem about working too hard and not making ends meet. It’s no surprise that “A Bar Song” is connecting widely amidst a cost-of-living crisis.
(It also helps that one of Shaboozey’s primary challengers for song of the summer in the U.S., Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” isn’t as popular in Canada, for obvious reasons).
The 10-week achievement adds to Shaboozey’s list of accomplishments in a year when he has featured on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter and is set to headline a North American tour for the first time. He’ll play Toronto on Sept. 13 and Quebec City on Sept. 14. –RLD
MRG Group and Paquin Entertainment Group Hire New Executives
Canadian venue management, concert promotion and hospitality company, MRG Group has announced the hire of Robyn Kaszor as director and senior talent buyer.
Based in Montreal, she joins the company from Just For Laughs where she spent the last 18 years, most recently holding the post of vp of festivals with oversight of the company’s festivals in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
The company produces 1100+ shows per year in North America, selling approximately 500K tickets. The company also owns and operates six venues, including The Vogue and Queen Elizabeth theatres in Vancouver and Adelaide Hall in Toronto.
Paquin Entertainment Group, meanwhile, has announced the appointment of media and television executive Andrew Akman as its chief operating officer.
Based in Toronto, Akman is expected to leverage the company’s status as a global, multi-platform entertainment business to produce large-scale events, exhibitions, and theatre, film, and television productions. Paquin is currently in development on several talent-driven projects for broadcasters, streaming platforms, and live audiences, according to the Aug. 6 announcement. Akman has held senior roles at Cineflix Media, Shaw Media, Canwest Media, Alliance Atlantis Communications, and co-founded the television production company Husk Media.
Paquin Entertainment Group, led by Gilles Paquin, has 45 years of experience managing and representing talent and producing film, television, theatre and immersive exhibitions. Akman’s appointment follows Paquin’s acquisition of the Canadian arm of APA as it continues to build on its momentum, now representing more than 350 artists.
Paquin, chairman & CEO, of Paquin Entertainment Group, said: “Andrew’s expertise in media and entertainment and his entrepreneurial spirit make him an ideal fit for Paquin as we continue to expand the range and scale of our global businesses in artist representation, immersive exhibits, live events, brand partnerships, and theatre, film and television.”
[Billboard Canada has a strategic partnership with Paquin.] -David Farrell
A true champion for positive change in music will be honored at Billboard Canada Women in Music in Toronto on Sept. 7, 2024.
Jessie Reyez will accept the Trailblazer Award, which is given to a female artist who acts as a music industry pioneer by using her platform to spotlight unheard voices and break ground for future generations of performers.
The Canadian singer straddles the worlds of hip-hop, R&B and pop and has proven to be a big star both on and off stage. She’s hit the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Canadian Hot 100 multiple times, while also appearing on a number of other charts in genres including Latin, R&B and dance. She’s collaborated and toured with artists from Billie Eilish to Eminem to Big Sean to Sam Smith. She’s been a hitmaker behind the scenes, too, penning songs for artists including Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.
On and offstage, Reyez has used her platform to speak up against systemic inequality — from lack of diversity on the staff of major labels to immigration issues to LGBTSQ+ rights.
Reyez was previously honored with the Impact Award at Billboard Women in Music in 2020, accepting during the virtual ceremony while speaking about the ways she’s had to break through barriers as a woman in music.
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“I’ve always said that being born a woman on this earth is like being born walking uphill,” she said. “There are so many burdens and bags that we carry and manage to do so with grace.”
Previous winners of the Trailblazer Award include Phoebe Bridgers, Kesha and Janelle Monae. Reyez will accept the award at the first edition of Billboard Women in Music in Canada.
The ceremony will also include guest of honor Alanis Morissette, who will win the Icon Award. The star-studded event will additionally celebrate previously announced honourees Allison Russell, LU Kala, The Beaches and more yet-to-be-announced.
For more on Billboard Canada Women in Music and to buy tickets for the September 7 event, head here. – Richard Trapunski
SiR’s Concert is Cancelled in Toronto, Fuelling Speculation about Drake’s Involvement
Another last-minute concert cancellation at History in Toronto is causing online speculation related to Drake‘s feud with Kendrick Lamar.
Los Angeles R&B singer SiR was set to perform at the venue on July 30 but announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the show has been canceled. The singer stated that the venue canceled the event even though, he says, the show was sold out. “Not sure why,” he tweeted.
ScHoolboy Q reacted with laughter to the news; the rapper’s July show at History was canceled earlier this month with no reason given, and at the time he took to the same platform to imply it was because of the feud between Lamar and Drake. History is a collaboration between Drake and Live Nation.
“CANADIAN POLICE DONT WANT NOBODY FROM TDE PERFORMING,” ScHoolboy wrote after his show’s cancellation. A spokesperson from the Toronto Police Service said it had no part in the decision to cancel the concert.
ScHoolboy Q and Lamar are former labelmates on Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), which Lamar left last year, as well as former members of the group Black Hippy. SiR is also on the label and has collaborated with Lamar.
The SiR cancellation follows another Drake-related incident at History on Monday night (July 29). DJ Scheme, opening for Ski Mask The Slump God, dropped Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” at the venue and shared a clip of the crowd singing along at full volume.
ScHoolboy Q, meanwhile, made a not-so-cryptic post on X shortly after, which simply read: “HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH 🔵.” His followers interpreted it as a reaction to the “Not Like Us” needle drop. – Rosie Long Decter
Céline Dion Sees Global Spike in Streams After Soaring Olympics Comeback
It’s all coming back to her now: Listeners are streaming Céline Dion in big numbers following a triumphant comeback performance.
The French Canadian superstar performed from the Eiffel Tower on July 26 as part of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Dion sang French icon Edith Piaf‘s “L’Hymne à l’amour,” making an emotional and highly-anticipated return to the stage amidst a battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Viewers tuned in across the globe to see Dion’s performance, and they clearly want more. Her global Spotify listenership has jumped 36% since the performance, with a 64% jump in France.
Dion isn’t the only artist whose catalogue is benefitting from the performance. The original recording of “L’Hymne à l’amour” by Piaf saw a 317% jump in Spotify streams in the day after the opening ceremony.
The big bump in listeners indicates that the public is ready and waiting for Dion’s return. Though she hasn’t confirmed a follow-up performance, there have been rumours of a potential Las Vegas show on the horizon.
The performance also followed the June release of a documentary chronicling Dion’s experiences with Stiff Person Syndrome, I Am: Céline Dion.
She shared a message on Instagram after the performance for the athletes in Paris: “stay focused, keep going, my heart is with you!” After everything she’s been through, her heart goes on. – RLD
Post Malone played what may have been the biggest concert in North America this summer last Friday, July 12. At Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ) in Quebec City, he performed a show for over 100,000 people on the historic Plains of Abraham. That’s par for the course for FEQ, which gets major stars in a variety of genres for 10 days every year, yet, outside of Quebec, remains somewhat under the radar.
Malone played after opening sets by Canadian band Valley and rising pop/country artist Jessie Murph. His set was teed up with a crowd singalong to “Sweet Caroline,” before a string section heralded Post’s entrance onto the stage. He started with his 2018 hit “Better Now,” with huge fireworks erupting at every chorus. Throughout the next two hours, he played songs from the Ozzy Osbourne-sampling “Take What You Want” to “Sunflower,” “Congratulations” and the recent No. 1 hit “I Had Some Help.”
He broke out some adorably silly dance moves and basked in the applause after every song, which seemed to take him aback. At one point, he even brought up a Quebecer from the audience named Felix, who joined him on stage to chug from a red solo cup and then strum an acoustic guitar while Post Malone crooned “Stay.”
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This year’s FEQ took place from July 4-14 and boasted headliners from 50 Cent to the Jonas Brothers, Nickelback to the Zac Brown Band.
While FEQ gets major artists for those main stage performances, artistic director Louis Bellavance says it’s not only about getting the biggest acts. “All of them have a function, a role to play in what we’re building,” he says.
It’s about finding the right types of genres and acts that resonate with the Quebec audience, which can sometimes differ from the rest of Canada and the United States, he says. R&B doesn’t play as well as in other markets, nor do many English Canada rock bands. That’s not to say rock doesn’t go over well, though — Mötley Crue packed the stage on the final night, Sunday, July 14, with a crowd much more multi-generational than you might think for a band whose sound and antics peaked in the ’80s.
One new addition this year was Saturday night’s all-Spanish mainstage night of J Balvin, Ivan Cornejo and GALE. FEQ has booked Latin artists before, but never as big as this year’s showcase. It was clear people travelled for the event, with Colombian superstar Balvin spotlighting all the flags in the front row and fans from Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Mexico, Spain, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduras and Colombia were all “in la casa,” he said.
Read more from FEQ here. -Richard Trapunski
Canadian Country Music Association Awards 2024 Nominations: Jade Eagleson, MacKenzie Porter Lead The Pack
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced the official nominees for the 2024 CCMA Awards. Topping the list of contenders with six nods apiece are Jade Eagleson and MacKenzie Porter, the latter of whom will co-host the awards show alongside American country star Thomas Rhett.
Hot on their heels with five nominations apiece are The Reklaws and Josh Ross, while High Valley, Owen Riegling and Dallas Smith are each cited in four categories. Other notable Canadian artists making the list include Dean Brody, Steven Lee Olsen, James Barker Band, Brett Kissel, Tenille Townes and Lindsay Ell.
The awards show takes place in Edmonton, at Rogers Place in the heart of downtown, on Saturday Sept. 14 at 8 pm ET, and is broadcast by CTV.
Performers include Dasha, Jade Eagleson, Brett Kissel, The Reklaws, MacKenzie Porter, Thomas Rhett and Dallas Smith, with more to be named.
Two major CCMA Award categories are open for public voting by country music fans across Canada. This year’s Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year nominees are Hailey Benedict, Dax, Teigen Gayse, Matt Lang and Owen Riegling, and fans can vote for their favourite at ccmafanvote.com.
The 2024 Fans’ Choice nominees are Dean Brody, Jade Eagleson, High Valley, James Barker Band, Tyler Joe Miller, Steven Lee Olsen, MacKenzie Porter, The Reklaws, Josh Ross and Dallas Smith.
Find the full list of nominees here. –Kerry Doole
ScHoolboy Q’s Toronto Concert Cancelled, Blames Drake’s Beef with Kendrick Lamar
A cancelled show is seemingly connected to the year’s biggest story in rap music: the heated beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
ScHoolboy Q was supposed to perform a sold-out show at Toronto venue History on Thursday (July 18). But Q took to X Wednesday to announce that the show had been cancelled, supposedly due to the feud: “CANADIAN POLICE DONT WANT NOBODY FROM TDE [Lamar’s label] PERFORMING..” he wrote.
ScHoolboy Q used to be in the group Black Hippy with Kendrick Lamar and is a former labelmate on Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Lamar left the label last year. The venue History is a partnership between Live Nation and Drake.
Q went on to post several times about the show, referencing PartyNextDoor’s recent performance at the Hollywood Palladium in Lamar and ScHoolboy’s hometown of L.A.: “if we wanted to get yall we would’ve just did it.. now wHen sumbody get Hurt don’t cry…”
Q later clarified that he found the cancellation funny and didn’t mean his post as a threat, but as advice: “I neva said “ ima kill sumbody” im saying if we wanted to crack it off we could’ve smH,” he wrote, “ima soccer dad.”
ScHoolboy Q, who performed at Lamar’s June 14 Pop Out Concert, is also briefly featured in Lamar’s video for the Drake diss track “Not Like Us,” which has added some fire back to a fight that was on the verge of dying down. Q and Lamar go back a long way, as former collaborators in Black Hippy alongside Jay Rock and Ab-Soul.
Drake posted an Instagram story following Q’s posts on X, leading some to speculate that he was trolling the rapper. In the shared story, Drake is seemingly sporting blue slides, possibly referencing ScHoolboy’s single of the same name.
He’s also wearing a shirt that reads “Free Yayo,” a reference to hip hop artist Tony Yayo who in a recent interview spoke about not wanting to get caught up in the Drake/Kendrick beef.
“You don’t wanna say something about Drake and f–ckin can’t go to Canada,” he told VladTV.
Though no official explanation for the cancellation has been revealed, the event page for the concert on Ticketmaster states that it was cancelled by the event organizer.
“The decision to cancel this event was made by the venue, not by the Toronto Police Service,” says a spokesperson from the Toronto Police Service.
Billboard Canada has reached out to Live Nation for comment.
The cancellation follows a recent attack on Rick Ross — who previously released Drake diss track “Champagne Moments” — in Vancouver, while “Not Like Us” played at the concert. Drake liked a post about the incident at the time. – Rosie Long Decter
Some of Canadian music’s biggest breakthroughs of the last year are in contention for the prestigious $50,000 Polaris Music Prize, which recognizes the best Canadian album of the year.
The ten albums cover a range of genres, from hip-hop to singer-songwriter to roots to dance music, with a majority of the albums made by women, non-binary and Two-Spirit artists.
The winner will be announced at the Polaris Gala on September 17 at Toronto’s Massey Hall, which is set to feature appearances from Charlotte Cardin, Jeremy Dutcher, Bambii, NOBRO, TOBi and DijahSB. The Beaches‘ lead singer, Jordan Miller, is also slated to perform with backing band The Thunder Queens. There’s no word on whether Nashville-based Allison Russell or the infamously elusive Cindy Lee will appear.
The 2024 winner will join a cohort of previous winners that includes big names like Feist, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Kaytranada, Tanya Tagaq and last year’s winner, Debby Friday.
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The Polaris Prize honors albums based solely on artistic merit, with no regard for sales or label affiliation.
2024 Polaris Prize Shortlist:
BAMBII — INFINITY CLUB
The Beaches — Blame My Ex
Charlotte Cardin — 99 Nights
DijahSB — The Flower That Knew
Jeremy Dutcher — Motewolonuwok
Elisapie — Inuktitut
Cindy Lee — Diamond Jubilee
NOBRO — Set Your Pussy Free
Allison Russell — The Returner
TOBi — Panic
– Rosie Long Decter
M for Montreal Announces Billboard Canada as Presenting Partner
Billboard Canada is reinforcing its commitment to the Quebec music market through a new multi-year partnership with M for Montreal starting in 2024. The strategic alliance promises to elevate the music industry on a major scale.
For 19 years, M for Montreal has been an important step between Canadian artists and global music markets. The festival will host this year’s edition from November 20-30, featuring over 70 events, including conferences, industry mixers, the SuperVISION: Guild of Music Supervisors Rendez-Vous and more than 40 concerts, including more than 30 that will be open to the public through the annual MARATHON festival presented by SiriusXM. This year’s edition will feature acts including Bibi Club, Karkwa, Peter Peter, Soleil Launière, Vox Rea, myst milano. and more. In total, over 100 artists are slated to play.
M for Montreal is an important gathering for the music industry, with attendance from delegates from around the world: not just Quebec and the rest of Canada, but France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and beyond. With over 500 local, national and international delegates, it acts as a business catalyst for Quebec’s robust and unique music industry.
In 2023, there were 27.8 billion streams on on-demand audio streaming services in Québec, up 16% from 2022, according to the report La consommation d’enregistrements musicaux en 2023 au Québec. Quebec artists Les Cowboys Fringants and Charlotte Cardin are among the 20 most-streamed artists in the province, while Quebec icon Celine Dion is back on the charts following the debut of her Prime Video documentary.
M for Montreal has a strong reputation for helping artists connect with potential team members and collaborators as well as for exporting Quebecois and Canadian talent to the global market. Meetings and showcases happen in both French and English as well as other languages, connecting an increasingly multilingual music scene and building relationships with valued music professionals across borders.
“This partnership is incredibly meaningful for us,” says Amanda Dorenberg, CEO of Billboard Canada. “Billboard Canada chose to partner with M for Montreal because of their shared commitment to fostering local talent and promoting the music industry both locally and globally. M for Montreal is a cornerstone conference for both the Quebec market and the broader Canadian music scene. We are thrilled to collaborate with them to drive global influence and recognition.” – Richard Trapunski
Quebec Music Video Channel MusiquePlus Is Returning for a One-Night-Only TV Special
A classic Quebec channel will be brought back to life this September for a one-night-only celebration.
MusiquePlus, the Francophone counterpart to MuchMusic, is returning in the form of an upcoming hour-long TV special, MusiquePlus en Rappel, which is set to air this fall.
The channel, originally broadcast from 1986 to 2019, shone a spotlight on music videos and rising Canadian talent. The Bell Media special produced by Zone3 will look back on the station’s heyday and feature performances from contemporary musicians like singers Naomi and Soran and hip-hop artist Aswell.
Bringing back the format of MusiquePlus’ old showcase, Artistes du mois, or Artists of the Month, the special will be filmed at Montreal’s Société des arts technologiques in August and hosted by TV and social media personality Chloée Deblois.
Like its English Canada counterpart MuchMusic, MusiquePlus was founded by Moses Znaimer alongside Pierre Marchand and is now owned by Bell Media. MusiquePlus officially stopped broadcasting in 2019 when it was rebranded as Elle Fictions.
Though music video channels like MusiquePlus and MuchMusic are no longer staples of pop culture, the nostalgia for them has a strong pull.
The MusiquePlus revival follows the 2023 documentary focusing on MuchMusic, 299 Queen Street West, which saw packed screenings in Toronto and Montreal last fall (the latter of which counted former MusiquePlus host Sonia Benezra as an attendee). That documentary was also set to air on Crave before it was removed from the Bell Media streamer’s schedule amidst a copyright dispute related to music footage.
LIke MusiquePlus, MuchMusic has had its own next-generation revival, the latter as a Bell Media TikTok channel. Each has been a formative and influential part of the Canadian music industry over the last few decades, and there is clearly life left in both.
MusiquePlus en Rappel will debut on Crave, Noovoo and Noovoo.ca on September 3 at 8 p.m. ET. – RLD