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Diljit Dosanjh, deadmau5, Charlotte Cardin & More Highlights From the Inaugural Billboard Summit in Toronto
Beyond industry panel conversations, the full-day event focused on high-profile musicians and industry experts discussing what they’re most passionate about, including their processes, collaborations and breakthroughs.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow gave the opening remarks, speaking about the impact of NXNE in its landmark 30th year and welcoming the Billboard Summit to the city.
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Music fans, industry professionals and young aspiring musicians and workers – in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), a number of students got free admission – packed the theatre. Diljit Dosanjh fans were especially fervent, showing up in droves to catch a rare onstage interview with the Punjabi superstar musician, actor and fashion icon.
Here are the highlights of the first Billboard Summit at NXNE.
Charlotte Cardin on Breaking Barriers as Woman in Music
Charlotte Cardin at Billboard Summit at NXNE on June 11, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.Door 24
The Montreal-born Charlotte Cardin has been breaking barriers since she stepped into the industry almost a decade ago. While Cardin works with a predominantly female touring and management team at Cult Nation, she knows there is still a long way to go.
“We don’t have an equal industry,” she said in conversation with media personality Tara Slone. “To be surrounded by women on this journey is special and important to me.”
Before Cardin was a beloved musician, she had years of practice. After a stint on TVA singing competition, La Voix, in 2013, she took three years before releasing her first EP. It took another eight years before her critically acclaimed debut album, Phoenix, was released. Instead of rushing to release music, taking her time was all a part of Cardin’s plan.
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“I’m very grateful for the journey, and I try to be mindful of every milestone and step,” she shared.
Now a multiple time charting artist and a Billboard Global Woman of the Year, it’s clear Cardin has made it to the top doing things her way — which is a major piece of advice she had for aspiring creatives.
Right Hand Co. on Music as a Team Effort
(Left to right) Mame Diagne, Relvyn Lopez, Jordan Holly and Courtney Stewart at Billboard Summit at NXNE on June 11, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.Door 24
In the Billboard Summit crowd were many young people with a desire to work behind the scenes of the music industry. Creative directors, social media experts and managers are part of the backbone of the music industry. For recent Billboard cover star Khalid, his team at Right Hand Co. — Courtney Stewart, Mame Diagne, Jordan Holly and Relvyn Lopez — are a major part of his world.
“Double down on what you believe in,” said founder Stewart of finding talent to sign in the conversation hosted by Lola Plaku of Girl Connected. “If I see someone and my team and I believe in them, we’re going to stick with it.”
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For Director of Marketing, Relvyn Lopez: “Music is a language and you need an understanding of it.” Coming into the space with a positive mindset that allows you to pivot and brainstorm unique, innovative ideas will take you far, because “no two days are the same."
Ultimately, communication and consistent teamwork are what make an artist’s work come to life.
“Our vessel is to be able to put good energy out there and inspire people. It’s not about egos and who's the boss,” Stewart said. “We’re all here for bigger reasons.”
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deadmau5 & Rezz on Inspiring The Next Generation of Electronic Artists
deadmau5 and REZZ at Billboard Summit at NXNE on June 11, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.Door 24
Recent Billboard Canada cover stars deadmau5 & REZZ joined together on stage for a discussion with Fab Strong about their creative processes.
Each artist has carved out their niche in the electronic music genre, known for their sensory stimulating visuals and boundary-pushing productions. What’s more is they’re collaborators, with a handful of releases and festival appearances together under the name REZZMAU5. Their impact on future generations is undeniable, but deadmau5 says he's most focused on staying authentic to himself.
deadmau5 at Billboard Summit at NXNE on June 11, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.Door 24
“It’s cool that I can inspire [others],” said deadmau5. “But I’m not the driving force. I’m going to do me, and if someone finds it inspiring, then that’s awesome and in some form, shaping something. I’m not training an army of EDM producers."
REZZ echoed similar sentiments. After being inspired by deadmau5, has now grown into a mentor-like position for budding artists herself.
“The way that Joel has influenced me and many other people is one of the highest forms of accomplishment you can experience as an artist,” she said. “That’s my ultimate goal — to continue to evolve my brand and start to reach the peak level of artistry that my project can get.”
Derek “Drex” Jancar on Faking It Till You Make It
Derek "Drex" Jancar (right) and Tyrone "T-Rex" Edwards at Billboard Summit at NXNE on June 11, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto.Door 24
Derek “Drex” Jancar has always had a knack for recognizing and supporting talent. In the 2000s, the Billboard Canada Impact Award winner co-founded The Remix Project — the influential community organization that has supported youth in Toronto through hip-hop inspired programming.
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“The Remix Project was my grad school,” said Drex in conversation with Tyrone Edwards of eTalk, who also got his start at the Remix Project. Drex's work at Remix led him to his position of global influence as CEO at OVO.
He learned the mechanics of starting a business, from human resources to budgeting by getting his hands dirty and learning from his talented peers. Of the learning curve of overseeing such a massive brand, Drex said: “It doesn’t get easier, but you get more familiar.”
Diljit Dosanjh on Crossing Borders and Becoming a Global Icon
Diljit Dosanjh signing his Billboard Canada cover.Door 24
Fans turned up in droves to catch Diljit Dosanjh, who has made history spreading Punjabi culture throughout the world with his stadium tours and recent appearance at the Met Gala. In a special conversation with Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy and the Grammys, Dosanjh gave one of his first onstage interviews in English.
Diljit said his emergence into the spotlight came on a whim after he attended a university poetry course with his sister and wowed the other students with his words. While he's been active as an actor and musician for two decades, his crossover has been massive in the last two years. He set records with his recent Dil-Luminati tour, and played the first full Punjabi music set at Coachella in 2023. It was a challenge, he said, but it showed him how well music can unite people.
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"It's a mixed culture audience there. They aren't just your fans. They don't know your music," he said. "So first week performance was a challenge. By the second weekend, even the Coachella security said 'dude, we don't want to miss your performance this time."
It was a pivotal moment for Dosanjh, and a way to bring people together across cultures. “Music is the way to unite across nations,” he said.
Throughout his career, Dosanjh has represented his identity proudly. For new artists, he wants them to do the same. “Carry your culture,” he said. “If you want to stand out in this world, use that [to your advantage].”
Panay talked about the evolving music culture, where sounds from around the globe come together to push the mainstream. He brought up the rumour that Diljit had a collaboration with Shakira.
"She asked me to do a Punjabi version of 'Hips Don't Lie,'" he said. "I said ok, it's going to be tricky, but I'm going to try this."
He shows no signs of slowing down, but is happily riding the wave.
“I don’t feel pressure. Everything is happening on its own,” he said.
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