The 100th anniversary edition of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) Awards in Toronto was filled with music celebration and milestones for a lot of Canadian artists, and here’s everything you need to know about the event.
On Monday, SOCAN hosted its annual celebration of Canadian songwriters, composers and music producers at the REBEL nightclub in Toronto. Although the award ceremony only made its debut in 1990, this year marked the 100th anniversary of SOCAN, which is Canada’s largest member-owned music rights organization.
This year’s celebration was hosted by TV personality, known for also hosting Big Brother Canada, Arisa Cox, and actor and comedian Andrew Phung. The duo spoke with Now Toronto during the big night, saying that they were excited about working together and celebrating Canadian talent.
“We’re really excited. Andrew [Phung] and I work so well together, and we both really believe in what we’re doing tonight, which is celebrating some incredible artists, incredible creatives, who do what they do for our lives, let alone film and television,” Cox said.
The event offered a heartfelt tribute to iconic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joni Mitchell, as musician Allison Russell closed the night performing Mitchell’s classic “Both Sides, Now,” which also received this year’s SOCAN Cultural Impact Award.
It was a great night for Toronto’s very own Drake, who became the most-awarded songwriter in one evening in the history of the event. The rapper took home six awards in just one night, including his fourth SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Performer award, along with three Rap Music awards, one R&B music award and one Dance Music Award.
Canadian songwriter and producer Boi-1da received a Global Impact Award in recognition of his influence in international music, having worked with Drake, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z and other renowned artists.
Meanwhile, the SOCAN International Achievement Award went to the team of Canadian singers Lowell, bülow, and Nathan Ferraro, who were honoured for helping to write Beyoncé’s viral “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.”
Brad Rempel, the front face of Canadian country band High Valley, spoke with Now Toronto after bagging the Country Music Award – Songwriter for the hit “Single Again,” performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Josh Ross.
The country sensation said that he had just returned from SOCAN’s Song Camp, which gathered some major names in the industry in Nashville for three days, where the singer said he was able to finish three songs.
“I just love running into everybody, I try to come here every year, or whenever I get invited…So, just to look around and see everybody and friends.”
Congolese-Canadian singer LU KALA, who is best known for her feature in the popular single “Lottery” by American rapper Latto, was the awarded Pop Music Songwriter of the night.
The pop star rocked the SOCAN red carpet in a blue corset and a shiny zebra pattern skirt, with a furry white jacket, and black tights, a look that she said was styled by herself. LU KALA, who had just returned from her “No Tears on This Ride Tour,” also said she was excited to come home and receive the award.
“I don’t think people realize, [in] Canada, we have some of the best writers, producers, artists, and so forth, like in the world, we’re not talking about just Canada. And it’s nice to have this hub here that supports us to take us to the next level. And just coming home and getting an award, that means so much,” she told Now Toronto.
Swiss producer OZ, who has been a part of the production of many top chart hits for names like Drake, Travis Scott, Jack Harlow and J.Cole, got the SOCAN Producer of the Year Award to honour his viral work.
The SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Non-Performer award went to music producer Evan Blair, who also got awards for SOCAN International Song and Pop Music for the 2024 viral hit “Beautiful Things,” performed by American singer-songwriter Benson Boone.
Meanwhile, Indian rapper singer-songwriter SHUBH, who is based in Canada, took home the Breakout Songwriter award, with hits like “Supreme,” “Cheques,” and “One Love,” which got millions of plays on Spotify.
Details on the next edition of the SOCAN Awards are yet to be revealed.
