Announcing Billboard Canada Women in Music's 2024 Honourees
The first-ever expansion of Billboard Women in Music to Canada celebrates women making an impact across the Canadian industry, from risk-taking executives to innovative mentors to outspoken artists paving the way for new generations.
Billboard Canada has revealed the inaugural honourees for Billboard Canada Women in Music. Award winners, industry spotlight and exclusive interviews and performances – it’s all available to read here.
From iconic legends like Alanis Morissette, to powerful voices like Jully Black and Jessie Reyez, and rising stars like LU KALA, Billboard Canada's Women in Music honourees have been instrumental in shaping the country’s biggest hits and enduring musical legacies.
Alanis is Canada's first winner of the Icon Award, while Charlotte Cardin makes history as Billboard Women in Music's first Canadian Woman of the Year. She will also be performing at the first-ever Billboard Canada Women in Music event this Saturday, September 7 in Toronto.
In addition to the 11 special award-winners, including many talented executives and artists, Billboard Canada Women in Music includes an industry spotlight of impressive women who are making an impact across Canadian music. From live performance to management to publishing, these talented members of the industry have shared their advice for the next generation of Canadian women.
The inaugural Billboard Canada Women in Music honourees are pushing the Canadian music industry forward — all while breaking through gender-based barriers. For decades, women in the industry have often faced sexist stereotypes and inequities, with their talent and expertise doubted or their achievements ignored.
Today, the gender gap is getting smaller, but it persists. A recent study by the University of Ottawa found that women and trans artists are still underrepresented and disadvantaged when it comes to Canadian radio play. On the Billboard year-end charts, women and gender-diverse artists hit a 12-year-high for representation last year, but that’s still only 35% – and songwriter representation increased from 14% to 19.5%.
These barriers make it all the more important to celebrate the champions who are remaking the industry, from the artists who break records and speak out about social issues, to the innovators launching mentorship programs and women-led companies, to the executives and power players willing to take risks. Billboard Canada Women in Music honours the women who are making their mark.
Check out the full list of honourees here, and tickets for the Billboard Canada Women in Music celebration featuring Alanis Morissette, Charlotte Cardin, Jessie Reyez and more are available here.
