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1 week ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Kerry Doole |Billboard Canada FYI
George Olliver, a Toronto soul singer and keyboardist best known for his work in the Mandala and Gangbuster, died on April 6, after a stroke, at age 79. Born and raised in Toronto, Olliver sang in an Anglican church choir and studied classical piano. As a Globe & Mail obituary by Nicholas Jennings noted, "He then fell for the rock ‘n’ roll sound of Bill Haley & His Comets.
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1 month ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Billboard Canada FYI
One of Canada's leading royalty agencies saw a marked increase in 2024 distributions. The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) distributed $96 million in royalties to publishers and self-published songwriters last year. That marks a 23% increase from 2023, with streaming leading the way in growth at 38%. TikTok was one of the biggest areas of growth. Royalties on the social app jumped up by an impressive 126%.
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1 month ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Billboard Canada FYI
One of Toronto's biggest summer music events, Beaches Jazz Festival, is calling on brands to support Canadian arts. The free music festival draws 800,000 people a year, programming plenty of local and international musicians. But as big brands increasingly drop their sponsorship of music events, Beaches Jazz Festival is issuing a direct appeal to Canadian businesses: amidst a wave of Canadian cultural nationalism, champion homegrown talent.
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1 month ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Billboard Canada FYI
Tate McRae is so close to superstardom. The Calgary pop singer has notched her first No. 1 album with So Close To What, topping the Billboard Canadian Albums chart on the chart dated March 8. Shebumps Drake and PartyNextDoor's $ome $exy $ongs 4 U to no.
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2 months ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Lars Brandle |Billboard Canada FYI
It’s official: Taylor Swift owned the year 2024, we were just living in it. Swift creates history by being named as the IFPI’s Biggest-Selling Global Recording Artist of the Year for the fifth time, and for the third consecutive year. With her latest crown, which recognizes the top artist across physical sales, downloads and streaming, Swift is the outright No. 1 recording artist on the planet. Announced today, Feb.
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2 months ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Richard Trapunski |Billboard Canada FYI
The 2025 Juno Award nominations came out today (Feb. 11), and though most focus was on the new honourees, one prior winner was also under the spotlight: Buffy Sainte-Marie. The acclaimed singer-songwriter's Order of Canada appointment was cancelled last week by The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon. The decision followed years of conversation after the CBC's investigation into her claims of Indigenous ancestry and Canadian citizenship.
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2 months ago | 
ca.billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Billboard Canada FYI
PARTNER CONTENT Music industry expert Brian Hetherman is joining the team at NXNE. Hetherman will be the festival's new Head of Domestic and International Relations, leading the major Toronto festival revitalized delegate program in 2025, its 30th anniversary year. Hetherman brings over 30 years of experience in the industry to the role.
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Jan 22, 2025 | 
ca.billboard.com | Rosie Long Decter |Billboard Canada FYI
Sum 41 are going out on a high note. As the beloved Canadian pop-punk band closes out their final Canadian tour, the band have notched a new chart debut. All The Good Sh**: 14 Solid Gold Hits 2000 - 2008 debuts on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart at No. 98 this week, on the chart dated Jan. 25. That greatest hits album was first released in 2008, and features songs from the band's first four studio albums.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
ca.billboard.com | Richard Trapunski |Billboard Canada FYI
Record LabelsWarner Music Group has formed another strategic partnership to elevate and develop Punjabi music in Canada. ADA, the company's independent label and artist services arm, has formed a worldwide distribution deal with EYP Creations INC. EYP is a major management and content company in Punjabi music and is based in both Canada and India. Canada has emerged as a global hub for Punjabi music, which is one of the fastest growing global genres.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
ca.billboard.com | Kerry Doole |Billboard Canada FYI
Drake is never far from the headlines. This week, he's all over music news with his provocative lawsuits against Universal Music Group and Spotify, accusing them of conspiring to boost his arch-rival Kendrick Lamar, plus his just-announced multiple nominations for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards and word of a tour Down Under. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has now exited Toronto, but mass press coverage of her Eras tour continues apace. We look at these topics and much more in our weekly roundup.
