Big-Name Duets Helped These Canadian Artists Break Through on The Billboard Hot 100 in 2024
Montreal-born roots singer Allison Russell and Albertan country songwriter Noeline Hofmann both notched their first chart entries this past year thanks to features on tracks by Hozier and Zach Bryan, respectively.
Hozier and Allison Russell
Two Canadian artists debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 2024 — both thanks to star-studded duets.
Billboard has released a list of every artist who scored their first Hot 100 entry last year. It includes some of the biggest breakouts of the year, including Chappell Roan, Tommy Richman and Shaboozey (who went on to set multiple chart records with "A Bar Song (Tipsy)."
It was a quiet year for Canadian first-timers on the Hot 100, but there were two notable ones who cracked the chart through big duets with American artists.
Montreal-born roots singer Allison Russell debuted at No. 88 with her frequent touring partner Hozier on the sweet springtime duet "Wildflower and Barley." The single comes from Hozier's 2024 EP Unheard, which also featured the No. 1 hit "Too Sweet," and marked Russell's first time on the Canadian Hot 100, too.
It came during a big year for the Nashville-based musician, who is fast becoming one of the most-acclaimed names in roots music. 2024 also saw her win her first Grammy for the song "Eve Was Black" from her acclaimed 2023 album The Returner, shortlisted for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize. Russell went on to make her Broadway debut later in the year, starring in the musical Hadestown — with duet partner Hozier spotted in the theatre celebrating Russell's star turn.
Russell is no rookie, but it was undoubtedly a landmark year in her career, which was recognized with Billboard Canada Women In Music's first Breakthrough Artist of the Year award.
If Allison Russell's chart breakthrough is the story of a musician who has spent decades building up her reputation, 2024's other Canadian Hot 100 debut comes from a young singer-songwriter at the start of her career.
Noeline Hofmann is an Alberta cowgirl and rising country musician. Her original song "Purple Gas" is a reflection on Prairie farmer life, getting its title from the tax-subsidized gas used exclusively by ranchers.
The song went viral when Hofmann posted a video of it in 2023, and caught the attention of one of country music's biggest stars: Zach Bryan. Bryan had a big 2024 in his own right, releasing the chart-topping album The Great American Bar Scene, as well as going through a high-profile breakup — which saw him face allegations of emotional abuse from his ex, Brianna LaPaglia.
After Hofmann performed a showstopping version of the song for his "Belting Bronco" series, Bryan invited her to record a duet version of her song. He included it on his smash American Bar Scene, the first time he's included a cover song on an LP.
"This song brought me to tears the first time I heard it so it was really important for me that Noeline gave me the privilege to sing it with her," he said of the song. Boosted by the nod from Bryan, Hofmann could be poised for more chart success in the future.
Check out the full list of 2024 Hot 100 first-timers here.
