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FYI

Bad Child: Bad Child

This eponymous debut single from the young Canadian artist hints at both contemporary R&B and atmospheric art-rock. It clearly stamps him as a real talent, one to be watched closely.

Bad Child: Bad Child

By Kerry Doole

Bad Child - "Bad Child" (21 Entertainment/UMC): Not much personal information (or his real name) is available about this 21-year old who is the latest addition to Chris Smith's 21 Entertainment Group roster that is also home to Alessia Cara.


His debut live video for the track, filmed at Toronto club The Hideout, has already quickly gained an impressive number of views (112K) following the release of an intriguing single mixing sparse contemporary R&B that's a mite suggestive of The Weeknd, and part atmospheric modern art-rock, a la Alt-J. In a label release, he explains that "'Bad Child' is about "finding redemption in my failures. It is about not being good enough, not living up to expectations, it's about trying to be a better person."

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Go figure, Mr. Bad Boy!

A follow-up single, "Payback," is being readied for release, and the fact that it is mixed by Spike Stent (Beyoncé, Grimes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) indicates that serious resources are being afforded Bad Child. Definitely one to watch out for.

No word on live dates as of yet.

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Publicity: Allison Phillips, Universal Music Canada

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Charlotte Day Wilson
Jessica Foley
Charlotte Day Wilson
Concerts

CNE 2026 Bell SOUNDSTAGE Lineup: Charlotte Day Wilson, JoJo, Finger Eleven and More

As part of its partnership with NXNE and a renewed focus on live music, CNE will also welcome a special soon-to-be revealed global headliner presented by Billboard Canada on Aug. 28.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is embracing its musical roots with a high-profile lineup for 2026.

The beloved long-running fair, baptized The Ex by Torontonians, has unveiled the full list of artists who will be headlining the newly-named Bell SOUNDSTAGE at the Bandshell to celebrate the event's 147th edition. Canadian stars like Charlotte Day Wilson and Finger Eleven as well as international pop star JoJo have been added to this year's programming, which reflects a diverse mix of renowned names and rising stars across a multitude of genres including pop, hip-hop, Punjabi music and soca, among others. They join previously announced acts like Lights, Lupe Fiasco, Shaggy and more.

This year, the exhibition is partnering with Toronto music festival NXNE, to modernize its musical programming with chart-topping artists and newer acts, and revamping the Bandshell as the Bell SOUNDSTAGE. “Music is such a massive part of who we are,” Mark Holland, CEO of the CNE, told Billboard Canada in April during his Executive of the Week interview. "Connecting everybody to that is a democratic mission that we are really invested in."

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