This week in music: everything you need to know, exclusive live performances, and the best new songs.

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CBC Music – Listen Up!

Friday, March 21, 2025

CBC Music – Listen Up!

Friday, March 21, 2025

 

Hello, fellow music fan!

Did you hear that Anne Murray is going to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Junos this year? The Springhill, N.S., singer is the most-awarded artist at the Junos, holding 25 statuettes, and she’ll be onstage in Vancouver on March 30 to get her 26th. (If you caught her welcome speech at last year’s awards in Halifax, you’ll know we’re in for a treat.)

In other Canadian icon news, Céline Dion had to issue a statement this week about unsanctioned, AI-generated music that was using her likeness online. “Please be advised that these recordings are fake and not approved, and are not songs from her official discography,” her team posted on Instagram.

She needn’t have worried, though: no one can truly capture the Quebec singer’s powerhouse range, not even for songs titled I Saw Jesus and Free Indeed.

 
 

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter dominated the Grammys. Now her Canadian collaborators are getting their Junos moment

 
Beyonce
 

When Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, it sent waves through the music world: one of the biggest names in pop music was putting her bedazzled spin on country. But it wasn't just the history-making genre shift that excited listeners. The credits on the project included several Canadian songwriters and producers, among them Lowell, Nathan Ferraro and Jack Rochon. After being recognized at the Grammys, the trio is heading to the Junos.

 
 

Billianne performs a stripped-back cover of Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much

 
Billianne covers Shania Twain
 

For this week’s edition of the Juno Sessions, Billianne delivers a playful, cheeky cover of Shania Twain's That Don't Impress Me Much. Accompanied simply by acoustic guitar, the Milton, Ont., singer gives a rendition of the 1998 song that is more subdued, but still has the same bite as Twain's original. 

 
 

Sum 41's 10 best songs, ranked

 
Sum 41
 

After 25 years together, Sum 41 disbanded earlier this year with the release of its final album, Heaven :x: Hell, and its last tour, which concluded with a pair of hometown shows in Toronto. With one more appearance left — at the 2025 Juno Awards, where Sum 41 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame — we’re looking back at the band's best songs. 

 
 

Sebastian Gaskin on the road to embracing his culture within his music

 
Sebastian Gaskin
 

This week on Reclaimed, you’ll be treated to an interview with first-time Juno nominee Sebastian Gaskin. The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Tataskweyak Cree Nation talks about his debut album, LoveChild, and his journey to embrace his culture within his music.

 
 

Justin Nozuka delivers fan favourites at his hometown show

 
Justin Nozuka
 

Toronto singer-songwriter and R&B artist Justin Nozuka played to a full house at the hometown stop of his Chlorine tour, captivating the crowd with heartfelt renditions of fan favourites including Golden Train and Criminal, with the whole venue singing along to Swan in the Water.

 
 

Leading nominee Jeremy Dutcher withdraws from East Coast Music Awards amid leadership turmoil

 
Jeremy Dutcher
 

Jeremy Dutcher announced this week that he's withdrawing his eight nominations from the East Coast Music Awards in solidarity with other musicians who are boycotting the event. "[I'm] following the leads of the people that are on the ground within the East Coast music community," he told the Canadian Press. "It's important for us as artists to speak together and start to ask questions of an organization that purports to support and speak for us."

 
 

From the archives: Karan Aujla’s historic Junos win

 
Karan Aujla
 

Surrey, B.C., singer and rapper Karan Aujla made history at the 2024 Juno Awards when he won the TikTok Fan Choice Award, making him the first Punjabi artist to win in the category's 21-year history. “If you’re dreaming, make sure you dream big!” he said in his acceptance speech. Aujla is up for three more Juno Awards this year.

 
 

Tei Shi's ethereal farewell to a lover, and 3 more songs you need to hear this week

 
Tei Shi
 

"I'm absolutely nothing to you" is the devastating realization that Tei Shi comes to in the opening verse of her new single, Best Be Leaving. The dulcet tones of her vocals, paired with an ethereal soundscape, give the song a dream-like quality that makes it a must-hear for us this week —along with three more Canadian songs to add to your playlist.

 
 

After making Billboard history, Tate McRae enters the Top 20 with Means I Care

 
Tate McRae
 

Earlier this week, Calgary pop star Tate McRae made Billboard history: she became the first artist to ever have two different songs hit No. 1 on the recently formed Hot Dance/Pop chart thanks to her singles Revolving Door and It’s OK I’m OK, both from her seemingly unstoppable new album, So Close to What. This is on top of her recent performance on Saturday Night Live, and sharing the lead with Josh Ross for most nominations heading into the 2025 Juno Awards. And guess what else? Her single Means I Care enters our Top 20 at a very impressive No. 13. 

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

 
 

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.

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