Plus: popular Francophone singer Mitsou revives her 1994 track with rapper Ya Cetidon, as the duo’s collab, “C'est Chaud (+Hot),” arrives on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Canadian artists are gearing up for summer. As the country embarks on the warmest months of the year, homegrown artists are leaning into the heat and earning big spots on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts.
While it was released back in September, the upbeat track effortlessly ushers in the warm weather — and Begonia’s pop era.
Celebrating the transformation of the artist (born Alexa Dirks), the vibrant tune flexes her powerful vocal range as she sings about accepting herself without shame — “'Cuz moving on for me felt just like gravity / I pulled the arrow back and swore I hit a bullseye — and learns to embrace her unique identity.
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“I can honestly say with this record that I’m accepting myself now fully for the first time. I feel like I've said that before but this time I actually mean it,” she says in a statement.
In her newfound empowerment, the track embraces an unorthodox structure, with a mock-trumpet melody that emphasizes its bounce and groove, while building harmonies and expanding the arrangement over Begonia’s confident voice — opting for five verses and a bridge and skipping a typical chorus placement.
Over on Canada Country, Tenille Townes makes a bold statement at No. 54 with “Sunshine’s Free.” The track was only released last month, but is already vying for song of the summer, thanks to a driving guitar lick by country juggernaut Keith Urban.
As its name suggests, “Sunshine’s Free” is an instant mood-lifting track that finds Townes seeking a slower pace of life and finding joy in everyday moments. Its cool factor is elevated by country-pop soundscapes — solely produced by Townes.
“I hope it feels like rolling the windows down, breathing in the fresh summer air, and the taste of freedom that comes from being present in your own skin,” Townes explains of the song.
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Plus, “Sunshine’s Free” includes a nod to her 2020 album The Lemonade Stand, as she weaves a playful reference into the lyrics: “Stop at a lemonade stand instead of just passing by,” the Alberta native sings.
On Country, Townes lands one spot below Brock Phillips’ “Rich Man” at No. 53.
Over 25 years after Mitsou’s last album, 1999’s Mitsou (Éponyme), the popular Quebec act has returned to the charts. The francophone singer and rapper Ya Cetidon are putting a fresh spin on the former’s 1994 track, “C’est Chaud,” now titled “C’est Chaud (+Hot),” which debuts at No. 30 on AC.
It’s a fun link-up between the artists, following a Salut Bonjour Weekend segment on the Congo-born, Quebec-based Ya Cetidon that inspired Mitsou to reach out. “I messaged him on Instagram to propose a collaboration, and he just replied, ‘Thanks for the compliment,’ because he didn’t know who I was,” she told La Presse. It didn’t take long for the rapper to learn about the acclaimed Québécois artist.
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“C’est Chaud (+Hot)” still exudes the bombastic sound of its predecessor — and is a celebratory anthem for the hottest days of the year — but is now infused with a back-and-forth between Mitsou and Ya Cetidon.
Canadian radio listeners can’t stay away from the summer-themed hits, as Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun” rises to the top on CHR/Top 40, knocking Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might” to No. 2. Larsson’s rise to No. 1 is hot on the heels of her track being tapped for the coveted song of the summer slot by Spotify last month. Still, Mars holds down the top spot on All-Format, AC and Hot AC.
Ella Langley and Nickelback maintain the No. 1 placements on Country and Mainstream Rock with “Be Her” and “Bones for the Crows,” respectively. Meanwhile, Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide” rises back to the top spot on Modern Rock as Metric's “Victim of Luck” falls to No. 2.
Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.
