Billboard Canada and SOCAN will recognize the unsung heroes behind country's biggest songs.
The Billboard Canada Non-Performing Songwriter Award will pay tribute to the talented songwriters who create powerful music and exemplify the indispensable role of the songwriter in the music ecosystem.
This is the first award of its kind in Canada, for professional songwriters who have made a big impact writing for other artists. They rarely get the limelight, until now. The inaugural Billboard Canada Non-Performing Songwriter Award will be presented to Billboard Canada's Power Players event in Toronto on Sunday, June 2.
The award is presented by SOCAN, which collects and distributes royalties for musicians and rights holders in Canada. The critical rights organization champions music industry professionals, with more than 190,000 members – songwriters, composers and music publishers – ensuring they are properly recognized and compensated for their work.
“Fair champions of songwriting, SOCAN is proud to present the Billboard Canada Non-Performing Songwriter Award, shining a light on the architects behind the anthems,” says Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN. “For the first time in Canada, this award celebrates the impact of professional songwriters who, from behind the scenes, create songs that have international appeal, and we're thrilled to partner with Billboard to give them the recognition they so richly deserve.” .
In the nomination form, submit three songs that the nominee wrote for another artist in 2023. The songs must have been released between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. The three songs must represent and demonstrate their creative success during that time. There are also optional fields for the number of sales, flows and spins.
Nominations for the award open today, May 7th, and will close on May 17th at 11:59pm EST.
Find more information here.
deadmau5 to be inducted into Canadian Music Week Hall of Fame in 2024
After 25 years in the music industry, deadmau5 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Week (CMW) Hall of Fame.
It will be introduced on Tuesday, June 4 at Live Music Industry Awardstaking place at Toronto's Westin Harbor Castle in the Frontenac Room.
Before that, however, deadmau5 will be taking part in a Fireside Chat on CMW Music Summit which will be hosted by Billboard. He will talk to me Billboard Canada editor Richard Trapunsky in a discussion that will delve into his colorful two-and-a-half-decade career on some of music's biggest stages.
“deadmau5 is a legend,” says Andrew Valle, CMW General Manager and festival Director. “His unparalleled creativity has not only reshaped the sonic dance landscape, but has also inspired countless artists and producers worldwide.”
Born Joel Zimmerman, deadmau5 emerged at a time when electronic dance music was becoming one of the most popular genres in North America. One of the defining superstars of the late 2000s and early 2010s, the gift of EDM has headlined the biggest stages and major festivals electronic music has to offer. Recognized for his signature LED stage helmet, also known as his mau5head, he has become known for his big stage spectacle and sensational productions.
He remains one of electronic music's most reliable stars. As of 2023, its catalog had over 1.5 billion streams. In 2022, he teamed up with longtime collaborator Kaskade to form Kx5, a super duo that played a handful of festivals. Now hitting the road with a rotating slate of famous friends, he's embarked on his “retro5pective: 25yrs of Deadmau5” tour, which has already featured guest artists like Lights, Kiesza and Tommy Lee.
A security guard was shot outside Drake's Toronto mansion, police confirm
Toronto police are investigating an early morning shooting on May 7 outside Drake's mansion.
According reports from CPC and The Toronto Star, the entrance to the rapper's home was taped off after a shooting. The Star also reported that police have been in and out of the home as they investigate.
Toronto Police Operations posted on X that they were investigating the shooting that took place at 2:09 a.m. at Bayview Avenue & Lawrence Avenue East, near Drake's Park Lane Circle mansion site in the Bridle Path neighborhood — one of Toronto's most expensive areas.
According to the tweet, one man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and a suspect fled in a vehicle. The Toronto Star reports that it is unclear if Drake was home at the time.
Drake has been involved in one ongoing rap battle with Kendrick Lamar. Art for By Kendrick Lamar Not like us features a Google Maps image of Drake's home in Toronto. The location of Drake's estate is already known around town, and the rapper shot his 2020 music video for Toosie Slide inside.
The victim was identified as a “security guard” who worked at the residence. They were taken to hospital and have since undergone surgery for injuries sustained during the event.
No suspects have been named, but Inspector Paul Krawczyk of the Integrated Shooting and Gang Task Force confirmed the shooting and said the suspect's vehicle was captured on video by surrounding security cameras.
The following day, on May 8, another incident occurred at Drake's home when an individual attempted to gain access to the property.
“The individual was arrested under the mental health act and transported for medical treatment,” Toronto police said in a statement.
The individual reportedly did not enter the home, but was immediately confronted at the gate by security and arrested by police.
Last week in Canada: Diljit Dosanjh makes Punjabi music history
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/songwriter-award-deadmau5-hall-fame-drake-shooting-canada-industry-news/
