advertisement
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."

advertisement

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.

Links

Facebook

Instagram

Publicity: Allison Phillips, Universal Music Canada

advertisement
From left: GIVĒON, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simon Gebrelul photographed by Diwang Valdez on December 20, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Styling by Yashua Simmons. Barbering by Moe Harb. Hair Braiding for Gilgeous-Alexander by Alysha Bonadie. Grooming by Teresa Luz. On-Site Production by Laela Zadeh.

From left: GIVĒON, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simon Gebrelul photographed by Diwang Valdez on December 20, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Styling by Yashua Simmons. Barbering by Moe Harb. Hair Braiding for Gilgeous-Alexander by Alysha Bonadie. Grooming by Teresa Luz. On-Site Production by Laela Zadeh.

Features

Meet the Force Behind the Canadian NBA MVP Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and R&B Star GIVĒON

In this Billboard Canada Toronto's Simon Gebrelul's strategy to make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a one-of-a kind sports star — and disrupt the music world.

It’s mere days before Christmas, and Paycom Center is unusually quiet.

The arena — home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning 2025 NBA champions — typically holds 18,000 roaring fans, but today, you could hear a pin drop. Yet even in silence, the Thunder’s accomplishments speak loudly. Division title banners hang proudly from the rafters. Scan past those banners and across the empty arena, and three words in bold orange and blue come into focus: Committed. Community. Together.

keep readingShow less
advertisement