Music Biz Headlines: The Weeknd's Major Streaming Milestone, Drake's 'Degrassi' Days Explored on Film
Other major stories this week include ongoing controversy around the East Coast Music Association, Neil Young once again clashing with Trump, and a homicide investigation unfolding at Burning Man.
The Weeknd performs onstage for "After Hours Til Dawn" 2025 Stadium Tour at State Farm Stadium on May 09, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
This week, Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, sets another streaming record, as his 2020 single "Blinding Lights" passes the five billion streams mark, while Taylor Swift's upcoming album is already smashing Spotify records before release.
Elsewhere, Quebec artists are falling behind in streams in their own province, Kiesza is seeking laughs and an Edmonton radio station has already gone the AI host route.
Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music biz headlines.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ Becomes First Song to Hit 5 Billion Streams on Spotify
The song recently topped Billboard's Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century chart.– Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Quebec Artists Largely Shunned on Streaming Platforms; Taylor Swift Reigns Supreme
Less than seven per cent of music consumed in Quebec in 2024 on major streaming platforms came from Québécois artists. The data appear to confirm the fears of Quebec nationalist politicians, who for years have been sounding the alarm that Québécois culture is under threat by changing consumer habits. – Canadian Press
Drake Reflects on ‘Degrassi’ Days in New Documentary, Premiering at TIFF
"Man, what a wild journey that started,” the rapper shares in the trailer for Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Edmonton Radio Station’s AI Host Part of Global Trend
Sarah, digital host for SONiC 102.9 FM, started on air on Sunday nights a few years ago. – Fakiha Baig, Canadian Press
Dancing and Laughing: Not Just a Pop Singer Anymore, Kiesza is Finding Her Funny
Don’t be surprised if you stumble across dance-pop performer Kiesza on the stage of your local comedy club. – David Friend, Canadian Press
East Coast Music Association in Turmoil?
Former ECMA CEO Blanche Israël is telling all on social media, pulling no punches in her criticisms. – Brendyn Creamer, The Coast
Neil Young Unleashes “Big Crime”, a Bold New Protest Anthem Targeting Trump’s White House
Neil Young has gone into full trump attack mode with his latest salvo in the world of protest music. “Big Crime” hits with the fury of a veteran rocker who knows his voice still matters. –Noise11
Drake Reflects on ‘Degrassi’ Days in New Documentary, Premiering at TIFF
"Man, what a wild journey that started,” the rapper shares in the trailer for Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Inuk Musician Susan Aglukark Shares her Healing Journey in New Memoir, Kihiani
There’s a line in Susan Aglukark’s new book, Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing, that encapsulates something she’s tried to communicate to the public since her poem Searching helped transform her into the first Inuk artist to take home a Juno Award and a Governor-General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. – Josh O'Kane, Globe & Mail
“I really wanted to make a rock ‘n’ roll record,” said Edwards about her impeccably produced new album. After a string of critically acclaimed albums, a memorable mix of snarky and soaring Americana, she holds a well-deserved spot in the pantheon of Canadian songwriters. – Ben Mussett, Toronto Star
CBC to Challenge Order Requiring Disclosure of Gem Subscriber Numbers
CBC/Radio-Canada is going to court to defend its refusal to disclose subscriber numbers for its Gem streaming service. The move comes after the information commissioner ordered CBC to make available the number of paid subscribers to Gem. – Anja Karadeglja, Canadian PresSignatories express concern about digital security and the influence of foreign-controlled tech companies on Canadians’ daily lives. – Globe & Mail
Arkells-owned ODDS Bar in Hamilton Closing After Seven Years
The James Street South bar hosted its final service on Aug. 30. ODDS was once owned by Hamilton-hospitality group The Other Bird and Arkells band members Max Kerman and Nick Dika. – Fallon Hewitt, Hamilton Spectator
The British Columbia-native was signed to Interscope Records, but was reportedly tasked to make a brand new record with all new producers. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
International Music Biz Headlines
BMG's organic revenue fell 4.4% YoY in H1 2025, as EBITDA margin jumped; underlying streaming revenue up high single-digits
BMG saw its revenue decline by 7.8% YoY to EUR €424 million (USD $507m) in the first half of 2025, down from €459 million in H1 2024. That's according to new interim figures from BMG and its parent Bertelsmann, published August 28. – MBW
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Breaks Spotify Record Weeks Ahead of Release
The pop superstar's 12th album arrives on Oct. 3. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Defiance, Desire and Devastation: Patti Smith’s 20 Greatest Songs – Ranked
As the punk poet prepares to tour and reissue Horses for its 50th anniversary, we count down the best of her rich, rabble-rousing work. – Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother: Tom Waits Anchors a Dreamy Triptych of Familial Echoes
At the emotional core of Jim Jarmusch’s latest film is Tom Waits, delivering a character wrought with understated charm and oddball slyness, playing an enigmatic father whose mismatched wristwear—a genuine Rolex amid apparent poverty—hints at hidden motives and eccentric resilience. – Noise11
Drones Blasting AC/DC and Scarlett Johansson are Helping Biologists Protect Cattle From Wolves
For millennia, humans have tried to scare wolves away from their livestock. Most of them didn’t have drones. – Associated Press
Burning Man Death Is Being Investigated as ‘Homicide’
Officers, at this stage, are treating the death as a homicide. – Lars Brandle, Billboard
