One of Canada's biggest stars is receiving one of the country's highest honors. Pop-rock star Avril Lavigne has been named to the Order of Canada, a political honor that recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the country. Lavigne was announced by Governor General Mary Simon yesterday, among a list of 83 new appointees that includes scientists, economists, poets and activists.
Lavigne's appointment highlights her impressive commercial and artistic achievements, as well as her philanthropic work. “With over 50 million albums sold worldwide, she paved the way for women's punk rock music and continues to do so today,” the statement reads, going on to mention her support for people living with disabilities and serious illnesses through Avril. Lavigne Foundation.
The appointment to the Order of Canada comes as Lavigne celebrates her successes with her Greatest Hits, a new compilation released June 21 featuring platinum singles like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi,” as well as the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Girlfriend”. Lavigne is one of Canada's best-selling artists.
The Canadian icon is also taking her hits on the road with a major tour, which kicked off in Vancouver in May and kicks off its second leg in Toronto on August 12 with a sold-out show at Scotiabank Arena.
Beyond the charts, Lavigne helped pave the way for a punk-inspired vision of girlhood in the early 2000s, when most female pop stars embraced a more traditionally feminine image. Lavigne's brash demeanor and white shirt and tie made her an icon for a generation of Canadian kids.
Lavigne wasn't the only musician to be recognized by the Order of Canada this week. Montreal singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie was named an Officer of the Order, as were Beverley Johnston and conductor Kent Nagano. -Rosie Long Decter
Mustafa's “Name Of God” Named Best Canadian Music Video of the Year, Winning Prism Prize 2024
Mustafa has become the first two-time winner of the Prism Prize, the award celebrating the best Canadian music videos. He has won the 2024 Grand Prize for Video of the Year for “Name of God”.
Mustafa, also known as Mustafa Ahmed and Mustafa The Poet, also took home the award in 2022 for “Ali”. Both of his winning videos are self-directed. Mustafa's win comes with a $20,000 prize, the largest prize money for music videos worldwide.
Mustafa released “The Name of God” last year days after writing a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling on him to speak out on Palestine. The song and video touch on violence and grief as well as the power of community and tradition.
Mustafa is not the only winner this year. Nemahsis won the fan-voted audience award, winning “I wantna be your right hand”. This $2,500 prize goes to both artist Nemahsis and filmmakers Norman Wong and Amy Gardner. The video takes the Palestinian-Canadian artist to a choreographed dance through a restaurant kitchen and a spectacular performance in the dining room to an empty room.
Mustafa and Nemahsis went through a strong list of videos, including clips from The Beaches, Feist, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more. See the full list here and see the four other special award winners here. -Kerry Dull
kd lang Will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024
kd lang will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024 by the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). The induction will take place at Country Music Week 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, September 11–14, leading to CCMA Awards.
“I'm beyond excited and honestly pleasantly surprised to be honored in this way,” says Lang, who was born in Edmonton. “My love for our grasslands, people and culture underlines every ounce of my inspiration. Not without its complexity, I might add. That's life. I'm so excited to be coming to Edmonton to enjoy this celebration…with profound gratitude.”
Emerging in the 1980s as part of a then-burgeoning “cowpunk” scene, lang had one of the most powerful and beautiful voices in country music and beyond. A queer icon and activist in many fields, she has pushed the boundaries of the genre and pioneered within and beyond it.
“Today, we are thrilled to announce the incomparable kd Lang as the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame's 2024 inductee,” he says Amy Jenninga, president of the CCMA. “A true Canadian icon and pioneer in country music and beyond, kd embraced the genre with unparalleled passion and her extraordinary talents have left an indelible mark on our nation's cultural landscape. We proudly honor her incredible legacy and outstanding contributions and look forward to celebrating her induction in Edmonton this September.”
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame is housed in Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary. A new exhibition for new and historic inductees will open on September 11, 2024, with further details to be announced. -Richard Trapunsky
Country Label MDM Recordings Inks Global Deal with Warner Music Canada's ADA CANADA
Country music is big business in Canada right now, and one of the country's biggest record labels has struck a new deal to reflect that.
ADA CANADA, the independent label and artist services division of Warner Music Canada, has announced a new exclusive worldwide distribution deal with MDM Recordings. Founded by Canadian music industry veteran Mike Denney In 2008, MDM Recordings described itself as “an independent full-service and management company specializing in country music.”
MDM has an impressive track record, especially with up-and-coming country acts. Its roster includes notable Canadian country musicians such as Chad Brownlee, Tyler Joe Miller, Bobby Wills and Don Amero, and music released on the label has garnered over 450 million global streams and over 500,000 physical units sold. Artists currently on the MDM roster include Jess Moskaluke (platinum selling artist and Juno and CCMA award winner), Charlie Major, Amero and The Redhill Valleys, along with promising newcomers Savannah Jade and Josh Stumpf .
MDM Recordings has been awarded Record of the Year twice at the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards. Mike Denney has been named the face of the label three times and has overseen seven CCMA Awards for their artists.
“MDM Recordings has always been about nurturing incredible talent and sharing their music with the world,” says Denney. “This partnership with ADA Canada marks an exciting new chapter for us. We are excited to leverage ADA's extensive global network to bring our artists' music to an even wider audience.”
Greg Morris, Vice President of ADA Canada, says, “Mike Denney had a vision 16 years ago to create MDM Recordings and has done an incredible job building it into what it is today. It has an excellent track record of discovering and developing country artists and has regularly been recognized as one of the best country labels in Canada. I'm proud that Mike has trusted ADA Canada to support and grow his business, and I'm excited to work with him and his team to grow the success of his artists and help them connect with their fans across the globe. people.” -Kerry Dull
