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Chart Beat

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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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Diwang Valdez for Billboard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

FYI

Music News Digest: NBA Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Now Part-Owner of Hamilton's TD Coliseum

Also this week: The Canadian Country Music Association announces a new board of directors, the beloved Steve's Music Store closes all of its stores except one,

Canadian basketball star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has now heavily invested in his hometown of Hamilton, purchasing an ownership stake in that city's downtown arena, the recently rejuvenated TD Coliseum. The facility's developer, U.S. company Oak View Group (OVG), announced the investment Monday (Feb. 9) but did not reveal any financial terms. The 18,000-seat TD Coliseum, originally Copps Coliseum and FirstOntario Centre, was renamed last year after a $300-million renovation and reopened as a music-first venue. Next month it will host the 2026 Juno Awards.

The NBA's reigning most valuable player and this week's Billboard Sports Issue cover star, the 27-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander plays for the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. His investment is made through his charitable organization, the SGA Foundation, and the partnership includes naming the Ares Atrium inside the venue, as a tribute to his son.

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