Billboard Canada Women in Music was a star-studded celebration in Toronto last Saturday night (September 7). Rising stars, Canadian legends – and some of their parents – were on hand to celebrate the myriad achievements of women on stage and behind the scenes at the first edition of Billboard Women in Music in Canada with guest of honor Alanis Morissette.
Morissette received the Icon Award, honoring her as one of the greatest country artists of all time. Morissette celebrated femininity and emphasized its importance for people of all genders. “The Matriarchy takes care of everyone,” she told the crowd, to cheers.
She was introduced by two Canadian stars — broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos and Woman of the Year Charlotte Cardin, who both spoke of her enormous influence.
Taking to the stage to accept the award, Morissette – who has sold more than 60 million records, with her breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill widely ranked as one of the greatest albums ever – had her own thoughts on what it means to be an icon . He joked that even cereal boxes are being called iconic these days. For her, though, an icon is someone who serves as a symbol of safety to explore. Morissette reflected on how icons can inspire fans and listeners to explore the unconscious and express themselves in new ways.
She also reflected on what it means to be a Canadian icon, listing some Canadian qualities that have helped her succeed: curiosity and humility. Fame can be an isolating experience, Morissette shared — especially in the '90s when there wasn't a big girl mentality, but fame also allowed her to support and connect with people.
The evening was filled with highlights, from Jessie Reyez dedicating the Trailblazer Award to her mother, who was in attendance, to performances by artists such as Haviah & Omega Mighty, Tia Wood, Anjulie and more.
One of the most powerful moments came from Jully Black, known as Canada's Queen of R&B, who took the Billboard Canada SiriusXM stage for a deeply moving rendition of Bob Marley's classic “Redemption Song,” keeping the audience enthralled for the 11-minute adaptation of it.
In an elegant white and yellow dress, she commanded the stage, accompanied by a pianist and guitarist. She began with a minute's silence — no small feat, in a packed room full of honorees — reminding the crowd that while this was a celebration, many women around the world don't get the chance to celebrate themselves.
“I stand here as the wildest dreams of my ancestors,” Black told the crowd, before singing along to “This Little Light of Mine,” bringing the crowd together as a community.
Adding a new verse to Marley's song about slavery and freedom, he asked a new question: “how long will they kill our women?”
She went down into the audience to connect with fans and her peers on the floor before returning to the stage and reflecting on her own start in the industry,” she recalled. “There was no infrastructure, no radio, for people, women, who looked like me.” , she continued. “Women get paid less, if you don't have a seat at the table make your own.”
She finished with heartfelt, powerful vocals on the Bob Marley chorus, capping off a performance that highlighted how far Canadian women have come in music and how much they still have to do.
Watch the full video here.
Selena Gomez, The Tragically Hip, Pharrell Williams headline the Toronto International Film Festival
Some of the biggest names in the music industry descended on Toronto last week for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film festival has transformed downtown Toronto into a hub of celebrity, high fashion and red carpet glamour. It also brought many of music's biggest stars to town, including Selena Gomez, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Pharrell Williams and more.
Selena Gomez came to Toronto for her new movie Emilia Pereza musical crime comedy that follows a Mexican cartel leader who comes out as a transgender woman. Gomez plays the wife of the protagonist.
In an interview on the red carpet, Selena Gomez said Billboard Canada how her pop career actually worked against her for the role as she learned the film's dance style.
“I think it was really important to let go of the pop star thing and focus on more complex dancing that I haven't really done before,” she said. “So it was really fun.”
Beloved Canadian rockers The Tragically Hip premiered a new four-part documentary at TIFF, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal. The series features new interviews and archival footage of the band, chronicling their rise to stardom and the diagnosis of lead singer Gord Downie, who died in 2017 from brain cancer. Out of view, local choral collective Choir! Choir! Choir! led a huge sing-a-long into one of the band's classics, “Ahead By A Century,” reminding those in attendance that the love for The Hip runs deep.
The premiere of Pharrell Williams' animated biopic with LEGO Piece By Piece on Tuesday night (September 10) was interrupted by an animal rights protester who stormed the stage during a Q&A session waving a sign that read: “Pharrell stop supporting the killing of animals for fashion” and shouting “Pharrell stop torturing animals!” Pharrell Williams is the creative director of the Louis Vuitton men's collection.
Instead of skirting around it, Williams addressed the protester directly and said “You know what? you are right.” She continued that it wasn't the right way to make her point, but that she had something. “…We are really working on it. And if she asked me, I would tell her. But instead he wanted to repeat himself.”
Elton John was at the festival with his Canadian husband David Furnish, as were Bruce Springsteen and musician K'naan, who was making his feature directorial debut. See more of TIFF's top musical moments here. – Rosie Long Decter
Hailey Benedict signs to Big Loud Records
Rising country artist Haley Benedict is making some big moves as she signs a deal with Nashville's Big Loud Records.
The Alberta songstress announced the signing at the Billboard Canada Women in Music celebration on Saturday, September 7th.
Taking to the stage in a sparkling silver appliqué, Benedict revealed she's signed to Big Loud and her Canadian imprint Local Hay, fronted by country star Dallas Smith. She followed the announcement with a performance of her upcoming single 'Things My Mama Says', which will be her first release on Local Hay on October 4th.
Benedict has been building this moment since she was a child – she first gained national attention at age 14 when Keith Urban invited her on stage at a sold-out show in 2016 to perform an original song.
Since then, he's released hit singles like 2021's “Wanted You To,” built an online fan base that includes 250,000 TikTok followers, and performed at major events like the Alberta Country Music Awards. In 2023, he won the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition and heads to the Canadian Country Music Awards this fall with a Breakthrough Artist nomination.
All of this makes the timing right for Benedict to switch from being an independent artist to working with a company that knows how to navigate the country landscape.
“I'm excited to begin this new chapter with such an incredibly creative and dedicated team that shares my vision for my songwriting, artistry and career,” Benedict said in a statement. “After a decade as an independent artist, it was critical for me to work with a record label that aligned with my values and passion for music.”
