A true champion for positive change in music will be honored at the Billboard Canada Women in Music in Toronto on September 7, 2024.
Jessie Reyez will accept the Trailblazer Award, which recognizes a female artist who acts as a trailblazer in the music industry by using her platform to highlight unheard voices and pave the way for future generations of performers.
The Canadian singer straddles the worlds of hip-hop, R&B and pop and has proven to be a huge star both on and off the stage. It has hit the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 multiple times, while also appearing on a number of other charts in genres such as Latin, R&B and dance. He has collaborated and toured with artists from Billie Eilish to Eminem and Big Sean to Sam Smith. She has also been a background singer, writing songs for artists such as Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.
On and off stage, Reyez has used her platform to speak out against systemic inequality – from the lack of diversity in major label personnel to immigration issues and LGBTSQ+ rights.
Reyez was previously honored with the 2020 Billboard Women in Music Impact Award, acceptance during the virtual ceremony while talking about the ways she's had to overcome obstacles as a woman in music.
“I've always said that being born a woman on this earth is like being born walking uphill,” she said. “There are so many burdens and bags we carry and we manage them with grace.”
Past Trailblazer Award winners include Phoebe Bridgers, Kesha and Janelle Monae. Reyez will receive the award at the first edition of Billboard Women in Music in Canada.
The ceremony will also include honored guest Alanis Morissette, who will win the Icon Award. The star-studded event will additionally celebrate previously announced honorees Allison Russell, LU Kala, The Beaches and others yet to be announced.
For more on Billboard Canada Women in Music and to purchase tickets to the September 7th event, head over here. – Richard Trapunsky
SiR's concert in Toronto has been canceled, fueling speculation about Drake's involvement
Another last-minute cancellation of a History concert in Toronto is sparking online speculation about Drake's feud with Kendrick Lamar.
Los Angeles R&B singer SiR was scheduled to perform at the venue on July 30, but announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the show has been canceled. The singer stated that the venue canceled the event even though he says the show was sold out. “Not sure why,” he tweeted.
ScHoolboy Q reacted with laughter on the news? rapper July's show on History was was canceled earlier this month with no reason given, and at the time he took to the same platform to imply that it was because of the feud between Lamar and Drake. History is a collaboration between Drake and Live Nation.
“CANADIAN POLICE DO NOT WANT ANYBODY FROM THE TDE SHOW,” ScHoolboy wrote after his show was canceled. A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service said it was not involved in the decision to cancel the concert.
ScHoolboy Q and Lamar are former label partners at Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), which Lamar left last year, as well as former members of the group Black Hippy. SiR is also on the label and has collaborated with Lamar.
SiR's cancellation follows another Drake-related incident at History on Monday night (July 29). DJ Scheme, who opened for Ski Mask The Slump God, dropped Lamar's Drake diss track “Not Like Us” at the venue and shared a clip of the crowd singing along at full volume.
ScHoolboy Q, meanwhile, made a not-so-cryptic post on X shortly after, which simply read: “HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH 🔵.” His fans interpreted this as a reaction to the “Not Like Us” needle drop. – Rosie Long Decter
Celine Dion sees worldwide surge in streams after Olympics return to highs
It's all coming back to her now: Listeners are streaming Céline Dion in droves after one triumphant return performance.
The French Canadian superstar appeared from the Eiffel Tower on July 26 as part of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Dion sang 'L'Hymne à l'amour' by French Edith Piaf, making an emotional and long-awaited return to the stage amid a battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
Viewers tuned in around the world to see Dion perform, and they clearly want more. Her global audience on Spotify has jumped 36% from performance, with a 64% jump in France.
Dion isn't the only artist whose catalog benefits from the show. The original recording of Piaf's “L'Hymne à l'amour” saw a 317% spike in Spotify streams the day after the opening ceremony.
The big hit with listeners shows that the public is ready and waiting for Dion's return. While he hasn't confirmed a follow-up show, there have been rumors of a possible Las Vegas show on the horizon.
The show also followed the June release a documentary recounting Dion's experiences with Stiff Person Syndrome, I am: Celine Dion.
She shared a message on Instagram after the performance for the athletes in Paris: “Stay focused, keep going, my heart goes out to you!” After everything she's been through, her heart goes on. – RLD
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/jessie-reyez-honored-billboard-canada-women-in-music/
