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FYI

Abacus' Insight Into Damage Lockdown Has Had On Musicians


Abacus' Insight Into Damage Lockdown Has Had On Musicians

By FYI Staff


A new Abacus Data study commissioned by Music Canada, a survey of 700 professional musicians in Canada reported that the average number of bookings in 2020 is eight, down from last year’s average of 87. More than half of the musicians surveyed stated that they have zero performances booked for the remainder of the year.


The pandemic has also caused anxiety that has affected creative output.

From the report: The technical aspects and isolation make performing difficult, and the income replacement is nowhere near enough to make up for in-person performances. Many musicians report steep learning curves with technology and dissatisfaction with the lack of connection a digital experience creates between them and their audiences.”

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A further read on the study can be found on the Music Canada website.

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Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy
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Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy

Awards

Here’s Why ‘Shake It to the Max’ Was Deemed Ineligible at the 2026 Grammys — And Why Its Label Calls the Decision ‘Devoid of Any Common Sense’

Representatives from the Recording Academy and gamma. CEO Larry Jackson comment on one of this year's most shocking Grammy snubs.

Few phrases define the year in music and culture like Moliy’s scintillating directive to “shake it to the max.” The Ghanaian singer’s sultry voice reverberated across the globe, blending her own Afropop inclinations with Jamaican dancehall-informed production, courtesy of Miami-based duo Silent Addy and Disco Neil. Originally released in December 2024, Moliy’s breakthrough global crossover hit ascended to world domination, peaking at No. 6 on the Global 200, thanks to a remix featuring dancehall superstars Shenseea and Skillibeng. Simply put, “Max” soundtracked a seismic moment in African and Caribbean music in 2025.

Given its blockbuster success, “Shake It to the Max” was widely expected to be a frontrunner in several categories at the 2026 Grammys. In fact, had the song earned a nomination for either best African music performance or best global music performance, many forecasters anticipated a victory. So, when “Shake It to the Max” failed to appear on the final list of 2026 Grammy nominees in any category earlier this month (Nov. 7), listeners across the world were left scratching their heads — none more than gamma. CEO Larry Jackson.

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