advertisement
Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
advertisement
Latest News
advertisement
BILLBOARD CANADA FYI
A weekly briefing on what matters in the music industry
By signing up you agree to Billboard Canada’s privacy policy.
advertisement
advertisement
Timothy White / Courtesy Republic Records
Shania Twain
FYICanadian Music Biz Headlines
Music Biz Headlines: Drake's 'Iceman' Cometh, Shania Twain Stars at ACM Awards
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.
19m
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.
advertisement
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Drake Sets 2026 Spotify Record for Most-Streamed Artist, Album & Song in a Single Day
His Iceman album & song "Make Them Cry" set the records.– Katie Atkinson, Billboard
Lykke Li Reflects on Drake Interpolating ‘I Follow Rivers’ on ‘Iceman’: ‘I Was Missing Him’
Drizzy previously sampled the Swedish singer on So Far Gone. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
Can Drake Reconnect with Toronto, the City That Once Loved Him, With His New ‘Iceman’ Album?
Battered and scarred from beefs and scandals, the rapper has leaned into his local roots for a chance at redemption. – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
Shania Twain Revisits her Teen Years in New Album, 'Little Miss Twain'
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
Shania Twain Looks 'Fabulous as Always' in Sparkling Silver Gown at the 2026 ACM Awards
The Canadian music icon hosted the 61st edition of one of the biggest nights in country music.– Chris Stoodley, Yahoo News
advertisement
Canadian Government Renews Creative Export Strategy to Promote Culture on the Global Stage
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
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Announces Nominees for 2026 Breakthrough Songwriter Award
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
University of Toronto Revokes Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Honourary Law Degree
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
Broken Social Scene on the Making of Remember The Humans, Their First Album in Nine Years
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
Halifax Creatives Push Back Against Arts Cuts Through Community-driven Media Collective
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
advertisement
International Music Biz Headlines
Bulgaria Wins Country’s First-Ever Eurovision Song Contest
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 10 Best Performances at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
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
advertisement
‘There Was Never Any Fraud’: Shakira Wins Tax Battle in Spain After More Than Eight Years
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
Woman Accused of Attempting to Murder Rihanna to Face Mental Health Competency Test
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
Madonna, Shakira & BTS to Headline 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show
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
What Connects AI Music, 'Blue Dot Fever', and a Johnny Cash Tribute Act?
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
Primary Wave Strikes Partnership with Pete Townshend for ‘Future Creative Endeavors’
The deal with The Who co-founder includes use of his name, image, and likeness rights. – Murray Stassen, MBW
keep readingShow less
advertisement
Popular
advertisement
Published by ARTSHOUSE MEDIA GROUP (AMG) under license from Billboard Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation.
advertisement