The Weeknd is a major hometown success story, and so is his manager. The Weeknd is arguably the biggest artist out of Canada right now, and one who continues to make Canadian chart history. Wassim “Sal” Slaiby has been with him nearly every step of the way, and also manages Canadian rappers Belly and Nav. He’s also been involved with many American chart-toppers, including Brandy, Bryson Tiller and Doja Cat. With his SALXCO company, he’s bridged the gap between Middle Eastern & North African music and North America, including Elyanna, the first singer to perform a set at Coachella entirely in Arabic. Her hit single “Ana Lahale," which boasts 23 million Spotify streams, features Lebanese-Canadian singer Massari, who is head of A&R for Universal Music Arabic where Slaiby is at the helm. He gives back through his work with Global Citizenand, though he’s living large in Los Angeles, helps spark the next generation in the often-underserved Toronto community with a role on the board of HXOUSE, the XO-led artistic incubator on the waterfront.

One of the most successful Canadian artist managers ever, Vancouver-based Bruce Allen has helped his clients sell over 100 million records and become major international concert attractions. That formidable list includes Bryan Adams, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Loverboy, Anne Murray, Prism, Powder Blues, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Liona Boyd, Michael Bublé and Jann Arden. Allen is known as being both ambitious and ruthless on behalf of his artists, and the results (dozens of platinum sales awards, a truckload of Grammys and Junos) speak for themselves. In 2023, Allen parted ways with Adams after a 44-year partnership, but current clients continue to excel. Michael Bublé enjoyed a blockbuster 2023, as his Higher World Tour reaffirmed his international stardom, while NBC recently announced he is joining The Voice Season 26 as a coach. After closing out 2022 with her own CTV TV holiday special, much-loved Canadian treasure Jann Arden had a typically busy 2023 that included the publication of a novel, The Bittlemores. She will soon be touring nationally with Rick Mercer. Other current clients of Bruce Allen Talent include Anne Murray, A-list producer Bob Rock and The Offspring. Having just turned 79, Allen remains a formidable force.

Kevin “Chief” Zaruk is the longtime manager of Nickelback, and one of Canada’s big behind-the-scenes names in country and rock. 2023 was a big year for him, with The Core Entertainment, the company he co-founded in 2015, expanding into the record label space. The Core Records, a partnership with UMG’s Lucian Grainge, aims to develop new artists and guide them to success. Zaruk’s client Bailey Zimmerman is one of the hottest new acts in country, recently named Billboard Country Rookie of the Year, and his first album made history, achieving the biggest first-week streams for a debut country album. The Core also manages rising artists like Josh Ross, Nate Smith and Valley.

Toronto-based music entrepreneur and artist manager Chris Smith is the founder and leader of 21 Entertainment Creative Group, a full-service entertainment agency that also has offices in L.A. and Miami. He helped spearhead the multi-platinum selling careers of such artists as Philosopher Kings, k-os, Jacksoul, Tamia, Alessia Cara and Nelly Furtado, and those latter three stars remain on his current roster. Other notable 21 Entertainment clients include Fefe Dobson, Tyler Shaw, Ryland James and The Warning. This year, his clients have shown a great ability to foster comebacks. Nelly Furtado hosted the Juno Awards, collaborated with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on “Keep Going Up,” an international hit that charted in the Top 30 of three Billboard charts and, with new material on the horizon, she just played a buzzy Tiny Desk Concert on NPR. Last year, Fefe Dobson released Emotion Sickness, her first album in 13 years, and toured nationally. Smith’s company has been named Management Company of the Year by CMW and Artist Management Company of the Year at The Urban Music Awards. He is also on the board of FACTOR.

The Vancouver-based Deep Rehaan is Karan Aujla’s manager and right-hand man. He was by his side for a landmark year that included the highest-ever debut on the Canadian Albums chart for a Punjabi artist, multiple Canadian Hot 100 charting songs, collaborations with major artists in both India and Canada, a Junos Fan Choice win and an upcoming Canadian tour that will see him play sold-out arenas. For an independent manager and exec, it’s hard to ask for a much better year.

Laurie Lee Boutet, founder of Wednesday Management, had a career-defining 2023 with a mainstream breakthrough for Toronto band The Beaches, as they left their major label deal and released their sophomore album Blame My Ex independently. The success story demonstrates that independent acts can carve their own path in the big leagues — if they’ve got the right people to help steer. The Beaches went viral with “Blame Brett” and performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, but it takes a strong team to know how to make the most of online traction. Boutet helped the band maintain momentum, selling out a worldwide tour including at-capacity nights at Toronto’s Massey Hall (5400 tickets). They also charted on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay, their first break on a U.S. Billboard chart, and took home the 2024 Juno for group of the year.