Also this week: Buffy Sainte-Marie is stripped of another honour, Bulgarian singer Dara wins the 70th Eurovision Song Contest and Shakira is cleared in a Spanish court.
Two Canadian superstars dominated music industry headlines at home and beyond this week. After a series of attention-grabbing stunts, Drake released not one, but three new albums, headed by the much-hyped Iceman. Meanwhile, Shania Twain announced a release date for her next album, then dazzled as the host of the ACM Awards south of the border.
Elsewhere, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame revealed the nominees for its breakthrough songwriter award, the mental state of the woman accused of a murder attempt on Rihanna will be probed and Broken Social Scene give their first group interview.
Read more music music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Decades after leaving northern Ontario to conquer terrestrial radio airwaves, Shania Twain says she’s revisiting the place and person who started it all. The Canadian country-pop star has announced a July 24 release for her seventh studio album, Little Miss Twain. – Alex Nino Gheciu, Canadian Press
Launched in 2018, the initiative is designed to enhance the export opportunities for Canadian culture across music and other sectors, including funding for the Canada Music Fund. The federal government will distribute $95-million over the next five years. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Presented by TikTok Canada, the 10 nominees — five non-French language and five French language acts — include Tia Wood, Jade LeMac, Katie Tupper and more. The two winners will be announced on June 2. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The university's degree revocation comes nearly three years after the folk singer was investigated for falsifying her Indigenous ancestry. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
In their first-ever group interview, the indie rockers share the inspiration behind the album and how their relationships have evolved. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
There’s one belief that drives Ben MacDonald and Mitchell Hurley forward. “Art is the heartbeat of Halifax,” says MacDonald. “With the current art funding cuts, it only makes it more difficult for our industry to grow." – Warren D'Silva The Coast
Bulgarian singer Dara won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with her infectious party anthem “Bangaranga,” giving the southeast European country its first-ever Eurovision victory. Dara beat 24 other competitors during Saturday’s grand final in Vienna. – Jill Lawless, Associated Press
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final brought acts from 25 countries to the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna on Saturday night in a spirited battle for the continent’s pop crown. There was no shortage of talent, but not all songs are created equal.– Maria Sherman, AP
The ruling comes as the singer prepares to conclude her historic Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour with a residency in Madrid in the fall. – Franchesca Guim, Billboard
A judge ordered a halt to the prosecution of Ivanna Ortiz on Tuesday (May 19) to determine if she can understand the court proceedings against her. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
The Sunday, July 19, match at MetLife Stadium will mark the first time the FIFA World Cup final has ever featured a halftime show. – Katie Atkinson, Billboard
Coca-Cola has responded in a dispute with the Johnny Cash estate — in a legal fight that could have ramifications far beyond the Man in Black. The Cash estate is accusing Coke of deliberately using a Cash impersonator for music in a TV ad. – Music Business Worldwide
