Billboard Canada is gearing up to highlight some of the most essential figures in the music industry: music managers. These professionals play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of artists and guiding them towards success.

Managers to Watch — an initiative by Billboard focusing on the teams behind the music industry’s most promising breakthrough artists — will make its debut in Canada at this year’s NXNE festival. This expansion signifies a growing recognition of the crucial role that music managers play in nurturing talent.

A special invite-only Managers to Watch reception is scheduled for June 11, just prior to the Billboard Canada Power Players event. This gathering will build upon Billboard Canada’s newly established partnership with the Music Managers Forum, which is relocating its Honour Roll celebration to NXNE this year, recognizing the most legendary managers in the industry.

Both the Managers to Watch recognitions will be presented at this exclusive reception. Following the awards, all invited managers will have the opportunity to network and engage with the most influential figures in the industry at the Billboard Canada Power Players event, fostering vital connections and collaborations.

This event is designed to cultivate a sense of community and create opportunities for self-managed artists and their managers, who are instrumental in propelling Canadian artists onto the global stage and ensuring their success in the international music market.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with MMF Canada to shine a spotlight on the managers who are driving the next wave of talent,” states Mo Ghoneim, president of both Billboard UK and Billboard Canada. “These individuals are key players behind many of the industry’s most significant breakthroughs, and we are excited to honor their contributions on a global platform through Billboard.”

The Music Managers to Watch list will showcase a carefully curated selection of both managed and self-managed artists who are making significant strides in the industry. This list will be determined by the editorial team at Billboard Canada. Managers interested in being considered can submit their information using the designated form.

For additional details, please find more information here. – Richard Trapunski

CIMA Urges Prime Minister Mark Carney to Support Canadian Cultural Initiatives

As the votes were still being counted in the Canadian federal election on Monday morning (April 29), the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) took proactive measures. The trade organization issued a press release congratulating Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada on their electoral victory while urging Carney to prioritize investments in and promotions for Canadian-owned cultural businesses.

The statement emphasized that “the global cultural economy is evolving rapidly, and with this evolution comes significant risks to Canada’s cultural and economic sovereignty. Recent events — such as TikTok’s withdrawal from licensing negotiations with Merlin, a key representative for independent music worldwide; Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music’s assets; and the legal challenges posed by global tech platforms in collaboration with foreign-owned multinational record companies to evade regulation under Bill C-11 — starkly illustrate the escalating concentration of global corporate power within Canada’s cultural sector. If these trends are left unaddressed, they pose a significant threat to Canadian ownership of intellectual property, reduce our global competitiveness, and compromise the future of Canadian cultural exports.”

CIMA has outlined four key priorities for the industry and urges the government to act swiftly:

CIMA concluded its statement by expressing eagerness to collaborate with the government to secure a robust future for Canadian culture, emphasizing that Canadian culture should remain Canadian-owned, Canadian-created, and recognized globally.

Read more here. – Kerry Doole

Artists Reflect on the Tragedy at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival

Artists are expressing their profound sorrow following a tragic attack at the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival.

The horrific incident resulted in the loss of 11 lives and left many more injured when an SUV plowed through the block party on Saturday (April 26). A 30-year-old suspect has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, highlighting the severity of this devastating event.

Hosted by Filipino BC, the festival celebrates the Filipino hero Datu Lapu-Lapu and serves as an annual occasion for the Filipino-Canadian community to honor their resilience and cultural heritage.

The attack occurred during the evening, following a day filled with performances from artists, including The Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap (also known as Allan Pineda Lindo), multi-disciplinary artist Kaya Ko, and R&B singer Sade Awele. Festival performers have been vocal about their heartbreak and are calling for solidarity within the B.C. Filipino community in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Just moments after completing their headlining set, apl.de.ap and fellow Filipino artist J. Rey Soul were on stage when the attack unfolded.

“It’s difficult to articulate the shock and weight we feel,” they conveyed in a joint statement shared on social media. “Please keep the victims, their families, and the festival organizers in your thoughts and prayers.”

“What stands out to me is the overwhelming sense of community that has come together to support us,” they added.

Festival chair RJ Aquino spoke of the tremendous support flooding in from across the globe.

“It’s clear to us that the essence of the festival embodies resilience, courage, and strength,” he shared with reporters, as reported by CBC.

“And we will need to draw on that strength moving forward.”

Awele expressed her condolences and solidarity with the B.C. Filipino community on Instagram, stating, “I struggled to find peace after the tragic incident that unfolded post-festival. We cannot continue to live in a society filled with hate and violence. We must strive for better.”

Read more here. – Rosie Long Decter