The ongoing management transitions at The Feldman Agency (TFA) reflect significant changes in the talent representation landscape. TFA, a renowned talent agency based in Toronto, has officially announced its decision to part ways with Rob Segal, who previously held the position of president of brands and partnerships. This move marks a pivotal point in the agency’s trajectory as it continues to adapt to the evolving entertainment industry.

Segal joined TFA as a partner in 2023, a strategic decision aimed at expanding the agency’s capabilities and transforming it into a comprehensive entertainment company. His vision was to enhance the agency’s offerings and create a more holistic approach to talent management and brand partnerships.

In 2024, Segal achieved recognition as one of Billboard’s International Power Players, sharing this honor with CEO Jeff Craib. He highlighted his most significant accomplishments during his inaugural year, including successfully guiding the agency’s new ventures into owned and operated properties, securing valuable licensing and branding opportunities for TFA’s artists, and spearheading the launch of the inaugural season of The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium. This outdoor concert series, however, faced challenges and “hit pause” in 2025.

The announcement regarding Segal’s departure comes less than two months after TFA revealed a series of internal promotions that have reshaped its leadership structure. Veteran talent agent Joel Baskin was elevated to the role of senior vice president, while Josie Cheng has taken on responsibilities as managing director-administration. Additionally, Amy Lloyd was appointed as talent buyer, Emma Leblanc became the marketing associate, and Jessie Silverstein was promoted to senior coordinator.

These strategic appointments signal TFA’s commitment to enhancing its focus on talent buying, artist support, and operational innovation across its offices located in Toronto and Vancouver. The agency aims to leverage these changes to further strengthen its market position and expand its influence in the entertainment sector.

When approached for a comment regarding Segal’s exit, CEO Jeff Craib confirmed the news, emphasizing the positive trajectory of the agency amid recent staff changes.

“Although Rob Segal is no longer at the helm of our partnerships division, the recent promotions of our operational staff reflect TFA’s ongoing growth and evolution as a dynamic company,” he shared with Billboard Canada. “Our fruitful collaborations with brands, artists, and our properties within this domain remain strong and vital.”

The prestigious talent roster at The Feldman Agency includes high-profile artists such as Shania Twain, Daniel Caesar, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Josh Ross, and Owen Riegling. Additionally, the agency represents non-musical talents, including clients from All Elite Wrestling, showcasing its diverse range of representation.

Craib and TFA president Tom Kemp were also recognized on Billboard Canada’s 2025 Power Players list, highlighting their contributions to major tours featuring artists like Alessia Cara, Mother Mother, Barenaked Ladies, Carly Rae Jepsen, Charlotte Cardin, and many more. This acknowledgment reinforces TFA’s status as a leading player in the agency landscape. – Richard Trapunski

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Canadian Artists Take a Stand Against Spotify: Chad VanGaalen, Sunnsetter, and Others Withdraw Their Music

An increasing number of Canadian artists are making the bold decision to remove their entire music catalogues from Spotify, signaling a significant shift in the music industry’s dynamics.

Across Canada, musicians are withdrawing their discographies from the popular streaming platform, with many citing the controversial ties of Daniel Ek, Spotify’s co-founder and CEO, to an AI weapons company named Prima Materia. This action reflects a broader sentiment among artists who are increasingly concerned about the ethical implications of their work being associated with military technology.

Reports surfaced in June detailing how Prima Materia led a new round of investment in a defense company called Helsing, which specializes in software that utilizes artificial intelligence to assist military decision-making. Ek, who serves as the chairman of Helsing, reportedly invested €600 million — approximately $961 million CAD — in this controversial venture, further intensifying the debate among artists regarding their platforms.

The latest artist to join this growing movement is Ontario-based singer-songwriter Sunnsetter. On Sunday, July 27, the shoegaze artist, whose real name is Andrew McLeod, took to Instagram to announce his decision to withdraw from the platform.

“I have no interest in supporting a platform that has almost single-handedly dismantled the entire music industry and is tied directly to military industrial AI technology,” he expressed in a heartfelt statement.

Sunnsetter elaborated on his discontent, stating, “Daniel Ek has literally taken the money that’s coming from YOU meant to pay artists, and used that money to then turn around and invest in AI killing technology meant to further facilitate genocide around the world and support military regimes and this turn towards fascism. It’s disgusting, it sickens me. I want to be freed from this cycle and I hate it.”

Moreover, Sunnsetter mentioned that his label, Paper Bag Records, fully supported his decision to withdraw from Spotify, showcasing a unified stance among artists and their management teams regarding ethical concerns.

McLeod is not alone in this movement; he joins a growing list of Canadian musicians taking a stand against Spotify. Just three days prior, Calgary artist Chad VanGaalen publicly shared on Instagram that he had removed his music from the platform. Having initiated this process a few months ago, VanGaalen’s record labels, Sub Pop and Flemish Eye, executed what he referred to as the “digital devil’s work” to erase his discography from the service.

In his post, VanGaalen cited “just the usual 2025 s–t,” including investments in “AI weapons of war, drone technology,” which further solidified his choice to part ways with the streaming service.

“It made me feel really sad because I don’t want my art to be a part of that — and my art doesn’t need to be a part of that,” he reflected on the emotional impact of this decision.

For fans saddened by the absence of VanGaalen’s music on Spotify, he assured them that his entire discography is available for free on Bandcamp, providing an alternative for listeners who wish to support his work.

Billboard Canada has reached out to Spotify Canada for comments regarding this ongoing situation and the concerns raised by artists about their platform.

Read more about this topic, including perspectives from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Fiver, Xiu Xiu, and others, here. – Heather Taylor-Singh

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Mustafa, Saya Gray, Yves Jarvis, and Ribbon Skirt Nominate for the First SOCAN Polaris Song Prize Shortlist

The inaugural shortlist for the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize has been officially announced, showcasing a remarkable selection of talent.

This prestigious list features songs recorded by Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Saya Gray, Yves Jarvis, Mustafa, and Ribbon Skirt. The winning artist will be awarded $10,000, which will be split between the song’s Canadian performers and the credited Canadian songwriter(s), thanks to the support of the Canadian performing rights organization SOCAN.

Here are the notable entries on this year’s shortlist:

These outstanding tracks were chosen from the previously announced 20-song long list, highlighting the diverse talent within the Canadian music scene.

Of the five artists featured, only Toronto-based artist/poet Mustafa has previous experience with a Polaris-related shortlist, having received a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize in 2021 for his debut release, When Smoke Rises.

Notably, all five artists on this shortlist also appear on the 10-album shortlist for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize. Consequently, they will all be performing at the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony, set to take place at Massey Hall in Toronto on Tuesday, September 16, where both prestigious awards will be announced.

Similar to the Polaris Music Prize, the Song Prize will be determined through votes cast by members of the Polaris jury, emphasizing artistic merit irrespective of musical genre, record label affiliation, or commercial success.

The SOCAN Polaris Song Prize represents the organization’s first new award since the introduction of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize in 2015, which acknowledges albums from the era preceding the Polaris Prize. The launch of this Song Prize is part of a broader initiative of programming changes announced in celebration of the organization’s 20th anniversary. – Kerry Doole