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Karan Aujla & DIVINE Debut in Top 25 on Billboard Canadian Albums Chart

B.C.-based Punjabi artist Karan Aujla and Indian rapper DIVINE land the No. 22 spot on this week's Canadian Albums chart with their new collaborative release, 'Street Dreams.' On the Canadian Hot 100, Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em" ascends to No. 1, while Canadian pop artist Preston Pablo makes a debut.

DIVINE (L) and Karan Aujla

DIVINE (L) and Karan Aujla

@anmollium / Anmol Raina

B.C.-based Punjabi artist Karan Aujla and Indian rapper DIVINE are making moves together on Billboard's Canadian Albums chart this week, with their collaborative project, Street Dreams, debuting in the No. 22 spot.

The seven-track album, released Feb. 16, blends harder hip-hop and smooth R&B pop, the latter shining through especially on the Jonita Gandhi-assisted "Yaad." It's not Aujla's highest spot on the Albums chart — he reached No. 5 in 2023 with Making Memories, his collaboration with Canadian Punjabi artist Ikky — but it gives him some momentum going into his upcoming performance at the Juno Awards on Mar. 24, where he's nominated for TikTok Juno fan choice and breakthrough artist.


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Also on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, Canadians are making a strong showing this week. Several songs are re-entering the chart: Josh Ross' "Ain't Doin Jack" returns at No. 85, Alexander Stewart's "I Wish You Cheated" is back at No. 92, and rising country artist Owen Riegling's "Old Dirt Roads" re-enters at No. 99.

Pop artist Preston Pablo's single "Dance Alone" is already making a splash on Canadian radio, and now it's gathered enough steam to debut on the Hot 100 two months after its release.

And Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em," last week's No. 11, has ascended to No. 1 this week. Billboard Canada spoke to Nathan Ferraro, co-writer and producer of the single, about how his Canadian songwriting team (including artists bülow and Lowell) came together to work with artists like Charli XCX and Queen Bey herself.

Check out the full Canadian Hot 100 here and the Canadian Albums chart here.

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University of Alberta Study Finds 87% of Canadian Musicians View Generative AI ‘Negatively’
Photo by Erwi on Unsplash
Tech

University of Alberta Study Finds 87% of Canadian Musicians View Generative AI ‘Negatively’

The Western Canadian university surveyed 263 Canadian musicians about their thoughts on AI’s rampant rise and the use of streaming services as an artistic tool.

A new study from the University of Alberta surveyed 263 “working Canadian musicians,” asking them about their experiences working in the evolving music industry. As respondents discussed an increase in the industry’s tech advancements, namely generative AI, many were not optimistic.

Of the 142 participants who highlighted the rapid use of AI, 87% viewed it “negatively.” Many shared they are actively avoiding the tool in their music, with some explaining that it’s devaluing human-made work. As AI continues to affect the music industry, participants say that it’s becoming a challenge to bring in new listeners and earn a livable wage.

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