Hello, fellow music fan!

Congratulations, we’ve made it to March. It was dicey for a minute there, but we leaned into our playlist of 10 songs to beat the winter blues and Kaytranada really helped us out.

The final week of February didn’t let up, though: Drake cancelled the rest of his Australia and New Zealand tour dates due to “scheduling conflicts” (did it come in the shape of one (1) Kendrick Lamar?), Neil Young announced a new tour with the Chrome Hearts and we said goodbye to Grammy winner and all-around legend Roberta Flack.

If you’re toasting the beloved icon by listening to her catalogue — or your favourite cover from it — let us know what’s in your headphones so we can join.
 

Did you know Céline Dion almost rejected one of her biggest hits?

We all know there was room for Jack on that door, but did you know Céline Dion almost said no to a song that garnered her an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy? (The song also made it to the top five entries in our list of Dion’s 50 greatest songs, which was a contentious ranking.)

The 10 best Canadian reggae songs

Reggae music has been made on Canadian soil since the 1970s, and in 1985 the wider industry took notice with the introduction of the best reggae/calypso recording of the year at the Juno Awards. This year marks the 40th anniversary of that award, first won all those years ago by Liberty Silver and Otis Gayle for their duet "Heaven Must Have Sent You” — and to celebrate we took a trip down memory lane and looked at more than 50 years of Canadian reggae.

Join Allison Russell’s communal experience on CBC Music Live

Just after Allison Russell won her first Grammy, CBC Music caught up with the Polaris-shortlisted folk singer to record her radiant performance at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. It's so good we're bringing it to you in two parts. Enjoy.

Yanchan Produced‬ studied Indian classical music as a child. Now, he's nominated for a Juno

First-time Juno nominee Yanchan Produced started studying Indian classical music at just six years old. Now, he's up for South Asian music recording of the year for his EP Arul. We look at the Scarborough-born artist’s journey from early music student to viral sensation.

Watch Sebastian Gaskin's electric performance at TD Music Hall

Sebastian Gaskin may have just released his debut album, but the now Toronto-based artist from Tataskweyak Cree Nation has been hitting all the right notes with his powerhouse pop and R&B for years now. Gaskin performed at the Tkaronto Music Festival at TD Music Hall in Toronto, and his set was stunning.

Savannah Ré's glorious exaltation, and 4 more songs you need to hear this week

This week can’t get enough of Savannah Ré’s new love song, which she wrote for a special someone:

Savannah Ré calls her latest single "a song for the love that saved me." Over slow-rocking drums and gentle piano, "Glory" comes to life. Written for and produced by her husband — and frequent collaborator — Yogitheproducer, Savannah Ré spends two minutes and 50 seconds exalting their love. As resplendent as a gospel song, with the simmering passion of old-school R&B, "Glory" is immensely moving, in major thanks to the Scarborough, Ont., artist's world-stopping vocals.

A sizzling new Americana duo bumps Lu Kala from No. 1 on the Top 20

This week on the Top 20, "Jeans" by Saskatoon's rising Prairie soul star Katie Tupper enters the chart, with the most online votes. Also entering this week is the viral hit "Chai and Sunshine" by Oakville, Ont., singer Anjulie, and "Happy People" by British singer Nao. Our highest jumper on the chart is American rapper Doechii, who recently became the third woman ever to win the Grammy Award for rap album of the year (behind only Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, trivia fans). We also have a new track at No. 1 — by a certain new, red-hot Americana duo.

Vote now for your favourite songs to move up the chart.

'The Junos do their homework': Award nominations pay special attention to B.C.'s metal scene

British Columbia is in the midst of a big music moment: the Juno Awards will be hosted in the province this month (by Burnaby’s own Michel Bublé), and local musicians make up about 13.5 per cent of the nominees — up from last year, and impressive given that Ontario and Quebec typically dominate the music scene in Canada. 

Plus this year, three of the five Juno nominees for metal/hard music album are from B.C. — including Spiritbox, who was just at the Grammys.

Thanks so much for joining us for this issue of Listen Up! If you loved it, feel free to let us know at listenup@cbc.ca — and use the same email if you have questions or suggestions. Please share it with your friends, family and even enemies via cbc.ca/listenup.