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BILLBOARD CANADA FYI
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Music Biz Headlines: TikTok's Reprieve in Canada, 2026 Grammy Preview, Ye's Apology & More
Also this week: Canadian jazz artist Laila Biali reflects upon her Grammy pop nomination, Jessie J plays an impromptu concert for a handful of Toronto fans in a snowstorm.
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TikTok has made news on both sides of the border in the past week by receiving a reprieve to keep operating in Canada while creating a new entity go continue operating in the U.S.
The Grammys are coming up, and the Best New Artist performance segment has become a major highlight. Here's how it came together.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Federal Court Rules TikTok Can Keep Operating In Canada
As the Canadian government undertakes a new national security review, TikTok will continue to operate. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
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Jessie J Plays Acoustic Set for Small Handful of Fans in Toronto After Cancelling Show Due to Snowstorm
After she was scheduled to play at Danforth Music Hall on Jan. 25, the British singer-songwriter shared a new social media post detailing her decision to forego the east end venue concert. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Jazz Musician Laila Biali Will Compete in a Pop Category at the Grammys. She Doesn’t Mind
Canadian jazz musician Laila Biali earned a Grammy nomination for best traditional pop vocal album after originally submitting to a jazz category. Biali says her album “Wintersongs” took inspiration from winter scenes in Banff. – Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press
‘An Offer of Peace and Love’: Neil Young Is Giving Away His Music to Greenlanders
"We do hope other organizations will follow in the spirit of our example," he writes. – Lars Brandle, Billboard
Will the Online Harms Bill Ban Kids From Social Media? Maybe.
As other countries move toward banning social media use for some teens, the Liberal government has confirmed it’s working on new legislation to address online harms. – Anja Karadeglija, CP
Tate McRae Is No. 7 on Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of 2025
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While 2025 pop was mostly led by established A-listers with already-minted legacies, one still-rising star danced her way into their ranks, building her own legacy in real time. – Andrew Unterberger, Billboard
Trumpet Virtuoso Jens Lindemann Talks Enduring the Loss of his L.A. Home After Wildfires
On the anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires of 2025 that destroyed the home of Jens Lindemann and many others, the Canadian trumpeter organized a Concert of Hope in front of what used to be his house earlier this month. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
The Jazzmanian Devils are surely one of the most curious phenomena on Vancouver’s 1980s independent music scene. Dennis Mills, the frontman, was, if maybe not a punk per se, certainly punk-adjacent. – Allan MacInnis, Georgia Straight
Canada Post Unveils Black History Month Stamps Celebrating Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee and Muzion
Since the launch of its stamp program in 2009, this issuance marks the first time that the postal service has recognized homegrown hip-hop pioneers. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
International Music Biz Headlines
TikTok Finalizes Deal to Create New American Entity, Avoiding U.S. Ban
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The U.S. joint venture will be led by CEO Adam Presser. – Associated Press
How COVID Inspired the Grammys’ Extended Best New Artist Performance Segment
‘It’s hugely ambitious, but we're going for it.' At least something good came out of that damn pandemic. – Paul Grein, Billboard
The rapper reflects on a traumatic brain injury, bipolar disorder and a "four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour,” while apologizing to Jewish and Black communities. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
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Anticipating the Future of Music and Media: What Lies Ahead in 2026?
“Streaming platforms have fundamentally altered the dynamics of music consumption, enabling domestic artists to achieve unprecedented scale in their home markets without necessarily achieving global recognition. This shift has profound implications for how the industry measures success, allocates resources, and projects future growth.” – Meg Adams, Synchtanks
2026 is the 50th Anniversary of These 20 Milestone Music Moments
Over the course of 2026, we’ll be marking the 50th anniversaries of many music milestones, including the introduction of platinum awards; the presentation of the first Grammy for Latin music; The Ramones bringing punk rock to prominence; Elton John becoming the first major pop star to come out; and Stevie Wonder releasing his masterwork, Songs in the Key of Life. – Paul Grein, Billboard
Graham Nash Says “F*ck ICE, F*ck Trump”
Veteran songwriter says political engagement has always been central to his work, citing decades of protest songs with Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young. – Paul Cashmere, Noise11
Mexico President Asks South Korea for More BTS Concerts: ‘Everyone Wants to Go’
Claudia Sheinbaum sent a diplomatic letter requesting more shows, after a worldwide scramble for tickets. – Reuters
Composer Philip Glass Cancels Kennedy Center Symphony Premiere After Trump Takeover
American composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his symphony Lincoln from the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, saying the work’s values conflict with those of the performing arts venue that was taken over by President Donald Trump. – Doina Chiacu, Reuters
The Eagles’ ‘Greatest Hits’ is the First Album in US History to Sell Over 40M Units
Take it easy ... and go quadruple diamond. The Eagles’ 1976 album “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” the bestselling album of all time in the U.S., has officially sold over 40 million units. That’s according to new certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. – Maria Sherman, AP
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Pharrell Williams Sued by Former Neptunes Partner Chad Hugo Over Alleged Lost Earnings
The producers who helped define the sound of pop music in the 90s and 00s are in dispute over earnings from their final album as NERD. – The Guardian
Megadeth is Going Out on Top With Ferocious Final Album
After more than 40 guitar-shredding years, Megadeth is going out on their own thunderous terms. – Dennis Waszak, AP
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