Music Biz Headlines: Universal Music Buys a Stake in India’s Excel Entertainment, Canadian Artist Babbulicious Plays Zohran Mamdani's Inauguration
Also this week: Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug on Heated Rivalry mania, late Beatlemania takes over Toronto, Daniel Caesar encores on Tiny Desk and more.
Babbulicious at Zohran Mamdani's inauguration in New York City on Jan. 1, 2026.
As 2026 gets under way, the headlines are emerging, including the demise (and grassroots resurrection) of MTV, potential legal action by Ashley MacIsaac against Google and some interesting moves by Universal Music Group.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Punjabi-Canadian Rapper Babbulicious Performs at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Inauguration
On New Year's Day, the Brampton, Ontario-based artist closed out the oath ceremony with his hit “Gaddi Red Challenger,” changing the lyrics, originally about the GTA, to mention New York. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The acclaimed fiddler says lawyers have reached out to him after his show was cancelled due to a Google search linking him to another person with the same last name. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug on his Music's Viral Moment, Courtesy of Heated Rivalry
Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug wrote I’ll Believe in Anything in the early 2000s. Now it's a hit thanks to the song's use on Crave's Heated Rivalry. – Josh O'Kane, Globe & Mail
Maritime Musician Joel Plaskett Among 2025 Order of Nova Scotia Recipients
The much-loved indie rocker and producer Joel Plaskett has been appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia. – Canadian Press
The Issues That Will Define The Canadian Music Industry in 2026
From ongoing debates around the Online Streaming Act to label layoffs to the continual threat of A.I., these stories will continue to shape policy into the new year. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Lady Gaga Producer Cirkut’s Career Shaped by Formative Years in Halifax
‘An important part of my identity,’ says St. Pat’s grad Henry Walter who’s nominated for seven Grammy awards this year. – Glenn MacDonald, Saltwire
Daniel Caesar Returns to NPR for First Tiny Desk Performance in 8 Years
The Canadian-born singer-songwriter brought a 12-piece choir for his five-song set, focused on songs from his 2025 album, Son of Spergy. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Mike Trebilcock, Maker of Scary Music
Killjoys mainman Mike Trebilcock is a Hamilton musician with more than six dozen horror movie scores under his belt (and even a few Christmas movies). – The Spectator
Piers Hemmingsen’s “The Beatles in Canada: The Evolution 1964-1970” is an exhaustive look at the band. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Reflections From Two Paul Anka Documentaries and Lessons for a Frequently Doomed Nation
Anka seems to be from nowhere. He’s perfectly content with where he’s arrived but it’s nowhere too. The intense emotions he writes about are strangely abstract. – Rick Salutin, Toronto Star
The 2025 Penguin Eggs Roots Music Canada Critics’ Album of the Year: Stephen Fearing – The Empathist
Few artists on the Canadian folk-roots scene can claim the longevity and consistency of the winner of the 2025 Penguin Eggs Roots Music Canada Critics’ Poll. Stephen Fearing has earned the honour for his phenomenal 14th solo album, The Empathist. – Roots Music Canada
International Music Biz Headlines
The move came after the once-influential network shuttered its remaining 24/7 music channels across a number of European and overseas territories in December. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
BTS Officially Announces Fifth Album, Unveils New Countdown Website & Teases Upcoming Tour
The reunited K-pop superstars will reveal tour details in mid-January. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Universal Partners With NVIDIA AI on Music Discovery, Fan Engagement & Creation Tools
The collaboration will allow fans and artists to go in-depth on the music they love and create an artist incubator to explore AI in human creation. – Dan Rys, Billboard
Universal Music Takes 30% Stake in India’s Excel Entertainment at $257M Valuation
The deal gives UMG exclusive global distribution and publishing rights for Excel's film and TV soundtracks moving forward. – Dan Rys, Billboard
Bowie: The Final Act – 10 Years After His Death, the Rock God Gets a Rapturous Resurrection
Packed with incredible scenes, this heartbreaking anniversary documentary can’t help but offer up a huge serving of nostalgic bliss. – Rhik Samadder, The Guardian
Billy Joel Surprises Fans With First Performance Since Brain Disorder Diagnosis
The music icon revealed he had normal pressure hydrocephalus in May 2025. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
