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MGK To Headline Grey Cup Halftime Show in Winnipeg

The American rapper and singer will hit the field in the Western Canadian province on Nov. 16 for its 112th edition. Our Lady Peace, meanwhile, will open the show, while emerging Manitoba singer Catie St. Germain will sing the national anthem.

MGK
MGK
Sam Cahill

MGK is headed to Winnipeg.

The rapper and singer will headline this year’s Grey Cup halftime show at Princess Auto Stadium on Nov. 16, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced.


The Grammy-nominated hitmaker, born Colson Baker, is known for defying boundaries and crossing genres to reach fans of hip-hop, pop, rock and alternative — making him a prime performer for the football crowd. MGK’s work has been a success on the charts, with his most recent album, Lost Americana, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.

“Canada has some of the best fans, so I’m excited to play the Grey Cup halftime show and to see some epic Canadian football,” the singer said in a statement.

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While the CFL's flagship game often includes Canadian performers, the last few years have seen American artists take the stage for halftime. Last year, The Jonas Brothers headlined the halftime show at the Grey Cup in Vancouver, while Green Day played the year before.

Recently, football has become a major part of MGK’s world, as he headlined the halftime show for an NFL game in Germany. His Lost Americana track “Don’t Wait, Run Fast” is featured as the anthem for ESPN’s college football coverage throughout the 2025-26 season.

It’s clear MGK has an affinity for Canada, too. In August, he played a secret show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern, debuting a couple of unreleased tracks before his seventh studio album came out.

Following his Grey Cup halftime show performance, MGK kicks off his highly anticipated Lost Americana Tour in support of his seventh studio album of the same name, with stops in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Billboard Canada Women in Music Global Rising Star Julia Wolf will join for select dates.

Joining MGK as Grey Cup performers are Canadian alt-rockers Our Lady Peace, who are opening the festivities at the Grey Cup kickoff show, and emerging singer Catie St. Germain, who will perform the national anthem.

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“We’re delivering a remarkable sound and atmosphere that will match the world-class action and entertainment on the field,” said CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston in a statement. “An iconic Canadian band to kick things off, a powerful Manitoban voice to honour our anthem and a rising megastar to electrify halftime. It’s going to be a show as unforgettable as the game itself!"

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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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