As the end of the year approaches, stats reveal that 2025 has been a blockbuster year for Canadian star Abel Tesfaye and Nashville-based hit Canadian record producer and songwriter Joey Moi.
This week's headlines also look at the escalating costs of touring, concerns arising over the use of AI in music, Eurovision Song Contest controversies and more.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
The deal, which rivals recent agreements for Queen and Michael Jackson assets, is more leveraged than typical for a single artist's catalogue. – Ed Christman, Billboard
Alongside four record-breaking sold-out shows in his home country, the Canadian juggernaut's global trek topped R&B touring records previously set by Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. The list also features big tours by Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar & SZA and more. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
For the second time, the Vancouver-born, Nashville-based co-founder of Big Loud Records secures the top spot. Moi is currently best known for working with chart-topping country hitmaker Morgan Wallen. – Billboard Canada
After a previous version of the Viral EDM track with AI-assisted vocals resembling U.K. singer Jorja Smith became embroiled in industry controversy, a new version with vocals from TikTok singer Kaitlin Aragon is now climbing the Canadian charts. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
For 21 years, his Christmas show has played to packed rooms in Toronto, and it just visited BC for the first time. The charity fundraiser also featured Tom Cochrane, 54-40, the Washboard Union, Men Without Hats, Lee Aaron, Hot Hot Heat’s Steve Bays, Fionn and Dan Hill and more.– Kerry Gold, Globe and Mail
Companies such as Udio, Suno and Klay will let you use AI to make new music based on existing artists’ work. It could mean more royalties – but many are worried. – Eamonn Forde, The Guardian
The song contest's first openly nonbinary singer's move comes after five countries have said they will boycott next year's event over decision to allow Israel to compete. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
By using music from SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo in ICE videos, the government is playing a game of rage-bait. – Adrian Horton, The Guardian
The pop star entered the culture war, transvestigated the California governor, and auditioned for relevance in the MAGA attention economy. – Casey Epstein-Gross, Paste
Black told Seth Meyers that both Tenacious D and his beloved 2003 rock comedy "School of Rock" could not have existed without Reiner's classic rock mockumentary. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
It jolted the winter, came alive in the spring, dominated the summer and went three-times platinum in the fall. Alex Warren’s bombastic ballad “Ordinary” is, by many measures, a defining song of 2025. It’s also an unusual hit. – Maria Sherman, Associated Press
The Queen of Disco and then some, known for such timeless tunes as “Love to Love You Baby,” “I Feel Love,” “Bad Girls,” “On the Radio” and “She Works Hard for the Money,” was welcomed into the Songwriters Hall on Monday at a ceremony at The Butterfly Room at Cecconi’s in Los Angeles. – Maria Sherman, Associated Press
