Kerry Martin and Nick Younès are at the editorial helm at Spotify Canada in the country’s two official languages. While debates rage on about discoverability and support for Canadian content through the Online Streaming Act, Spotify has touted some big numbers for 2025: $544 million in royalties for Canadian artists (a 19% year-over-year increase) with 92% originating from outside the country with Canadian music discovered globally 3.56 billion times. Martin works with head of artist and label partnerships Elizabeth Phipps and Spotify’s international teams in Nasvhille, Los Angeles and New York, ensuring Canadian artists are represented on global playlists and platforms while working with organizations like CCMA the Indigenous Music Office. Younès joined Spotify Canada from Secret City Records in 2025 at a time when there’s a big push for Francophone music, resulting in a 38% growth in global royalties since 2023. Last year’s Heated Rivalry craze drew in huge streams for Canadian artists like Feist and Wolf Parade, as well as Quebec artists like Peter Peter, while math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine experienced a global streaming surge, following their viral KEXP performance. It’s clear streaming plays an outsized role for Canadian artists.
