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A Podcast Conversation With.. MPC's Margaret McGuffin

The Women in the Studio National Accelerator program advances the career development of talented producer-songwriters from across Canada. Learn more about this exciting initiative in this chat with the CEO of Music Publishers Canada.

A Podcast Conversation With.. MPC's Margaret McGuffin

By Bill King

Women in the Studio National Accelerator 2022


Music Publishers Canada’s Women in the Studio National Accelerator 2022 advances the career development of talented producer-songwriters from across Canada. Music Publishers Canada recently announced six women, gender fluid, non-binary and gender non-conforming producer-songwriter Accelerator participants from across Canada.

First launched regionally in 2019 and expanded nationally in 2020, the Accelerator is designed to provide the cohort with opportunities for skills development and networking that they may otherwise be unable to access. Participants will gain valuable insights from mentors and industry experts for the duration of the program, including comprehensive development and networking opportunities in Toronto this September.

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According to a 2021 USC Annenberg study, across a six-year sample of the Billboard Hot 100 songs between 2012-2020, there were less than 3% female producers, and “this is a ratio of 38 men to every 1 woman producer.” We see similar trends in the Canadian industry, and Music Publishers Canada is committed to lessening the imbalance for this cohort in the music industry.

I spoke with Chief Executive Officer Margaret McGuffin about the work the organisation is doing.

The 2022 Women the Studio Accelerator Participants are:

•          99Makaveli (Makenna Edissi) – Kitchener, ON

•          Angelixa (Stella Lux) – Toronto, ON

•          Erin Costelo – Halifax, NS

•          Grace Chiang – Vancouver, BC

•          laaain (La-Nai Gabriel) – Victoria, BC

•          Ocevnside Clvb (Anastasia Petrova) – Toronto, ON

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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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