Universal Music Canada Announces Signing of Iraqi-Canadian Artist Ebril

Universal Music Canada has announced a new signing.

Today (Nov. 10), the major music label announced the signing of Ebril, an emerging singer who has quickly amassed a global audience.

Earlier this year, the Iraqi-born, Ontario-based artist, born Huda Al-Hamani, released her debut album, In Copula. It blends intimate storytelling with elements of folk, lo-fi, and shoegaze, infusing field recordings from nature and the street markets of her former hometown in Jordan.

Throughout the 10-track album, the 22-year-old references the environment around her to describe the emotions and experiences of growing up as a first-generation immigrant, using flora and fauna to represent her longing for freedom.

In Copula’s opening track “Stranger In You,” sonically sets the scene with the ambience of outdoor creatures, balancing electronic and acoustic instrumentation, while the record’s midpoint, “Anticipate Heartbreak,” is a lush shoegaze track that evokes a melancholic atmosphere with field recordings from her motherland. In Copula reflects Ebril’s connection to her roots and current surroundings.

The most impressive part? Every track was written, performed, produced, mixed and mastered by Ebril.

Speaking of “Stranger In You,” it was a hit on TikTok, connecting with over 200,000 fans over the summer. Its original post amassed over one billion views on the platform, with the breakthrough moment propelling Ebril into viral fame, as the singer currently reaches more than 600,000 monthly Spotify listeners.

By signing with Universal Music Canada, Ebril marks a new chapter in her career with plans to record and release new music in 2026.

“As a young Canadian artist, I feel so blessed and grateful to have my vision and art supported, allowing me to express myself through music,” she says.

Ebril (middle) with Universal Music Canada's Mark O'Keeffe and Julie Adam.UMC

Ebril’s passion extends beyond music, as she is vocal about social justice and environmental issues, and champions greater representation for Middle Eastern female artists in the music industry — it’s this prowess that enamoured Billboard Canada Women in Music Executive of the Year, Julie Adam.

“The first time I met Huda was over dinner, and I didn’t want to leave,” the president & CEO of UMC says. “I am completely awestruck by her artistic vision, curiosity, sense of humour and overall view of the world. Ebril is an artist who knows exactly what she wants to accomplish, and we are beyond honoured to partner with her to help her share her music, and her vision, with the world."

The signing of Ebril continues a recent period of multi-genre growth for the label's Canadian roster, which recently announced a partnership with acclaimed songwriter and artist developer Lowell and signed classical/jazz singer and pianist Elysia Biro.