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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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CCMA Launches Canada-Australia Country Music Exchange
Courtesy Photo/Jade Eagleson

Jade Eagleson

Business News

CCMA Launches Canada-Australia Country Music Exchange

The international exchange aims to introduce country musicians from each nation into a new market. Australian singer Tyla Rodrigues is currently in Canada, while Jade Eagleson is heading to Australia in 2027.

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has launched a new program connecting Canada's country music scene with international opportunities.

CCMA has unveiled its Canada-Australia Country Music Exchange, a new program to introduce Canadian and Australian country musicians into each other's markets. The initiative is meant to foster long-term growth through performances and connections with label executives, giving the artist an international base that they can continue to build upon. The pilot project, which will be evaluated after its inaugural run, aims to support artists through radio, streaming, festivals, live shows and media.

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