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Tag archive: Alessia Cara (5)

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iHeartRadio officially launches in Canada’s growing streaming market

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In January 2016, Bell Media announced an exclusive partnership to bring the American media company brand iHeartRadio, North America’s fastest growing digital audio service with over 90 million registered users, to Canada’s evolving streaming market.

On Monday, iHeartRadio Canada officially went live, giving Canadians a free new service to access over 100 licensed Bell Media English and French music, sports, and talk radio stations across 54 markets. The service also offers more than 100 additional digital-only music stations, curated for dozens of genres and designed to suit every taste.

“iHeartRadio Canada harnesses the strength of Bell Media’s radio stations in addition to more than 100 exclusive, curated digital music stations, placing them all conveniently at the fingertips of every Canadian,” said Randy Lennox, President of Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media, who spearheaded the deal upon stepping into the role in 2015. “iHeartRadio is an enormously successful brand that will represent Bell Media’s radio strategy in Canada, in many incarnations, including must-see live concerts, events, and more.”

In conjunction with Monday’s launch, iHeartRadio revealed plans for Canada’s first Jingle Ball, happening November 25 at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. The Canadian version of Jingle Ball, also taking place in a dozen cities across the US, will feature homegrown superstars The Weeknd, Alessia Cara, Hedley, Serena Ryder, Belly, and Kardinal Offishall, who hosts radio show The Kardi Party for Bell Media-owned Virign Radio and syndicated nationwide via iHeartRadio. American acts Kent Jones and multi-Plaitnum chart-toppers The Chainsmokers will also join the Toronto lineup.

Over the weekend, CTV Two will broadcast the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival from Las Vegas, a two-night event jam-packed with legendary performers including U2, Sia, Sting, Britney Spears, and Usher; plus all-star collaborations, including Billy Idol and Miley Cyrus; Ariana Grande and Zedd; and Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line. Throughout the summer, Canadian fans were given a sneak peek at the company’s premiere programming with branded events like iHeartRadio Fest (formerly CHUM FM FanFest) at Toronto’s Canadian Music Week, and the nationwide broadcast of the 2016 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards.

iHeartRadio Canada is now available for free via the web, and iOS and Android devices.  While details have not been officially announced, iHeartRadio is also expected to launch their paid on-demand streaming tiers in 2017.

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27th annual SOCAN Awards to be presented June 20

On Monday, June 20, Canadian songwriters, performers, and industry executives will be honoured at the 27th annual SOCAN Awards. This year’s event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto, ON, and will be hosted by Dave Bidini of Rheostatics.

In celebration of Canada’s favourite pastime, composer Dolores Claman will be presented with the Cultural Impact Award for “The Hockey Theme,” which has been heard nationwide for nearly 50 years during Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts. The first few notes of “The Hockey Theme” will also be tuned into “The SOCAN” trophies, the world’s first and only music industry trophy that’s also a playable musical instrument.

2016 SOCAN Awards honourees will also include 2015 hit-makers The Weeknd (International Achievement Award), Alessia Cara (Breakout Award), Belly (Songwriter Of The Year), and Johnny Reid (National Achievement Award), as well as industry veteran Gary Slaight (Special Achievement Award).

Music Canada is proud to be a bronze sponsor for the 2016 SOCAN Awards, and wish to congratulate all of this year’s recipients.

View the full press release for more information on this year’s awards.

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Alessia Cara announced as first performer at 2016 Juno Awards

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The Canadian Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences has announced 2015 breakthrough artist Alessia Cara as the first performer at the 2016 JUNO Awards, Sunday April 3 in Calgary, AB.

“Undoubtedly one of the hottest artists in music right now, Alessia embodies why Canadian music is dominating the charts internationally,” said Randy Lennox, President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media. “With more performers to be announced in the coming weeks, this talented, young artist is setting the stage for what is guaranteed to be a spectacular show.”

“With a soulful voice heard around the world, Alessia Cara is one of Canada’s brightest young artists,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “We’re extremely proud of her global chart topping success and we can’t wait for her JUNO stage debut.”

In 2015, the Brampton, ON natived released her debut album Know-It-All (Def Jam/Universal Music Canada) and has made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, and The Streamy Awards performing her Gold-certified viral hit “Here”.

A limited batch of tickets will go on-sale for the 2016 broadcast Friday December 11 at 10 AM MST.

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Canadian artists top Spotify 2015 Year in Music lists

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On Monday, streaming service Spotify revealed their 2015 Year in Music top lists, which find Canadian artists Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara and Francesco Yates as some of 2015’s most listened to artists in the world.

Proud Toronto-native Drake was announced as the most streamed artist of 2015 with over 1.8 billion streams this year and 46 million listeners. He takes the title from 2014’s most streamed artist Ed Sheeran, who in 2015 was announced as the most streamed artist of all time.

Drake’s 2015 mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was the second most-streamed album globally behind Canadian The Weeknd‘s Beauty Behind The Madness. In the US, the order is flipped, with Drake’s album being the most streamed this year. Based on sales numbers, both albums have been certified Platinum in Canada.

On November 13, Justin Bieber released his highly-anticipated album Purpose, which helped the artist set the record for most streams in a single day of all time with 36 million streams.

The #1 most viral track globally belongs to German DJ Robin Schulz for his track “Sugar” which features Canadian labelmate Francesco Yates. Canadians claimed 3 more spots in the top 5 of this list, with Drake’s “Hotline Bling” at #2, The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” at #4 and Alessia Cara’s “Here” at #5.

The full Year in Music top lists can be viewed on Spotify’s blog.

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Canadians heat up Top 10 of Billboard’s U.S. Hot 100

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Billboard’s U.S. Hot 100 chart was dominated by Canadian artists this week (November 14, 2015), with 6 of the top 10 spots being claimed by some of Canada’s biggest names in 2015.

Current Billboard Magazine cover star Justin Bieber, whose Double Platinum track “What Do You Mean” landed at #5, debuted at #2 this week behind Adele’s “Hello” with “Sorry”.

Toronto-based R&B superstar The Weeknd also has two songs in the Top 10 with “The Hills” at #4 and his summer smash “Can’t Feel My Face” at #10.

Drake‘s “Hotline Bling” came in at #3, while Shawn Mendes‘ “Stitches” is at #6 above tourmate Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams”.

All four of these Universal Music Canada labelmates made headlines last week when they occupied the top 4 spots on the Hot 100.

The Billboard Hot 100 is ranked by radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen Music, sales data as compiled by Nielsen Music and streaming activity data provided by online music sources.

With Alessia Cara‘s “Here” rising to #15 this week, it’s safe to say we are witnessing one of the most exciting times in Canadian pop music history.

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