Music Biz Headlines: Daniel Ek to Step Aside as Spotify CEO, Drake Dominates SOCAN Awards

As Spotify faces the challenges of spammy tracks and artist boycotts, Daniel Ek announces he'll step aside as CEO in January, with Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström to share that role. Meanwhile, Matt Fiorito, the recently jailed Dayglo Abortions member, speaks out about his experience in Ohio.

Also this week, a health scare for Dolly Parton has fans anxious. Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music biz headlines.

Canadian Music Biz Headlines

Allison Russell Toasts Joni Mitchell at SOCAN Awards, Drake Leads With Six Wins

Allison Russell paid a gentle tribute to her friend and mentor Joni Mitchell at the SOCAN Awards on Monday night, while superstar Drake emerged as the big winner. – David Friend, Canadian Press

Daniel Caesar Performed a Surprise Concert for Thousands in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park

On September 27, the award-winning Canadian R&B artist performed fan favourites and unreleased tracks from his upcoming album, Son of Spergy, in his hometown. He then headed to Montreal's Parc des Hirondelles for round two. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada

‘I’m Really Proud to Be Canadian’: Shawn Mendes Shouts Out Home Country During Toronto Show

After last year’s intimate gig at Massey Hall, the chart-topping singer-songwriter took the stage to over 15,000 fans at Budweiser Stage last night (September 28). Shania Twain was there, cheering him on. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada

Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Klô Pelgag, Pierre Lapointe, Jay Scøtt Lead Nominations for 2025 ADISQ Awards

The ADISQ Awards honour Quebec’s top artists with the prestigious Félix Awards and will take place on November 9, 2025. – Yasmine Seck, Billboard Canada

After Losing His Voice, Patrick Watson Marks a Return From Forced Silence With New Album

There is a reason "Silencio" is the first track on Patrick Watson’s new album, his eighth. And there is a reason why the album is titled Uh Oh, an expression often uttered meekly but with ominous implications. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

Alessia Cara Cancels Latin American Tour, Blames Local Promoter for 'Losing Faith'

Alessia Cara is apologizing to her Latin American fans after she says she was forced to cancel her upcoming tour in the region. – David Friend, Canadian Press

How Brampton’s WondaGurl Went From Teen Prodigy to Global Beat Architect

After a decade of producing for hip hop legends, Canadian producer Ebony Naomi Oshunrinde, known in the music industry as WondaGurl, is stepping into her own spotlight. She is being honoured at Billboard Canada Women in Music this year as Producer of the Year. – Noel Ransome, Globe & Mail

The Evolution of Strangewaves Collective Over 10 Years

The local collective Strangewaves hits 10 years of bringing experimental and avant-garde music to Hamilton and the surrounding area. – Hamilton Spectator

Bif Naked Tells All Then Rocks Out at Edmonton International Film Fest

The Canadian rocker's retrospective documentary was filmed partly at Edmonton's Starlite Room. –Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal

Bryan Adams Revives ‘Here I Am’ With Melbourne Recording and Coffs Harbour Video

Bryan Adams has unveiled a fresh take on his 2002 song "Here I Am," blending a live recording from his Melbourne concert in February 2025 with a cinematic video shot in Coffs Harbour and along the New South Wales north coast. – Noise11

Matt Fiorito Returns to Canada as Dayglo Abortions Headline Trey Helten Benefit

Memo from Matt Fiorito: When you're touring in the increasingly authoritarian U.S.A. in a band called the Dayglo Abortions, with historical ties to another band called The Fuck You Pigs, and you get pulled over, do not assent to having your van searched. – Allan MacInnis, Georgia Straight

Neko Case Lights a Match for Dallas Good and Other Lost Friends

"I just got a big mouth and I'm not really afraid," she says when discussing new album Neon Grey Midnight Green.– Laura Stanley, Exclaim!

International Biz Headlines

Daniel Ek Shifts Role at Spotify, Names Co-CEOs for Next Phase

Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will take over in the new year. "I'll remain deeply involved in shaping Spotify's future," says Ek. – Marc Schneider, Billboard

Spotify has Deleted 75m+ 'Spammy Tracks' – As It Unveils New AI Music Policies

Spotify has removed more than 75 million "spammy tracks" from its platform over the past year, the streaming giant revealed today as it announced a suite of new policies for managing AI-generated content on its service. – Music Business Worldwide

The 51st State

Warner’s frontline label presidents would now report into the respective U.S.-based CEO’s of Atlantic and Warner Records. Here's why Warner UK’s restructure is a bad thing for British music. – Patrick Clifton, Substack

Ticketmaster to Give Fans More Information After Uproar in Way Oasis Tickets Were Sold in the UK

A company that came under fire during the sale of tickets for British rock band Oasis’ reunion concerts this summer committed Thursday to a series of changes that aim to prevent fans being shocked by the price they end up paying. – Associated Press

Bad Bunny to Headline 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show

The halftime show, presented by Apple Music and executive produced by Roc Nation and Jesse Collins, will air live Feb. 8 from the Bay Area. – Dan Rys, Billboard

Dolly Parton Postpones Vegas Residency Due to ‘Health Challenges’

Parton is undergoing undisclosed medical procedures and says she'll "need a little time to get show ready." New dates are set for fall 2026. – Ashley Iasimone, Billboard

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Announce Birth of Third Child, Rocki

Rihanna announced the birth of Rocki Irish Mayers in an Instagram post Wednesday. The post featured one photo of the multihyphenate, 37, with the baby and another photo of baby shoes. It was captioned simply with Rocki’s name, a date – Sept. 13 – and an emoji ribbon. – Associated Press

Demon-Hunting HUNTR/X to Debut Live Performance on ‘The Tonight Show’

The singing trio behind HUNTR/X, the fictional music group at the center of the summer's massively popular animated film “KPop– Associated Press