Mother’s Day is nearly here for folks looking to celebrate, and if you’re needing a soundtrack may we suggest some Canadian hip-hop? 

"Mama ain't have it, still she provide, if it wasn't for my Mama I wouldn't be alive," raps DijahSB on their upbeat, house-infused track Mama Said, really hitting it home. Dive into our list of nine Canadian hip-hop songs that celebrate mothers for the full deal.
 
Into our second week of Asian Heritage Month, we’re loving this CBC Arts story about a new documentary on Judi Singh, a Black Punjabi jazz sensation who was ubiquitous on CBC in the ’60s and is now trending on TikTok.

How have you been celebrating Asian Heritage Month? We’d love to know — hit reply on this email to tell us.

Shawn Desman continues his impeccable comeback

Shawn Desman hasn't released an album in over a decade, but recently the Canadian pop star has been signalling a comeback. It started in 2022 when Drake picked Desman to perform at the rapper's OVO All Canadian North Stars showcase. But it culminated with a recent sold-out show in Toronto, where the Mississauga-born singer was welcomed by his raucous fanbase — and we were there to record it.

New fund aims to support emerging trans, 2-spirit and non-binary musicians

A brand new joint bursary from Music Nova Scotia and the Dawn Fund was just announced for emerging transgender, two-spirit and non-binary musicians — at a time when queer artists are facing increasingly discriminatory policies and barriers to their careers.

Did you know that Tom Green had a hit song before he was famous?

And no, it wasn’t The Bum Bum Song.

'Reggae is not soul': Jah'Mila makes appeal for change after East Coast Music Awards win

Reggae musician Jah'Mila delivered a powerful speech on the East Coast Music Awards stage in St. John's on May 8, offering a hopeful appeal for collaboration and change from an association that has faced turmoil for months.

4 songs you need to hear this week to celebrate Asian Heritage Month

For Asian Heritage Month, we're devoting this week's list of songs you need to hear to recent tracks from exciting Asian Canadian musicians, including releases from Alex Porat, Ghostform, Jordan Astra and Noki Mori.

How singer Anjulie went $2.5 million into debt — then took back control of her career

Now she’s going viral, being praised by Rihanna, and making the music she wants.

Celebrating Asian Heritage Month on Marvin’s Room

The team over at Marvin's Room continues the Asian Heritage Month celebrations on CBC Music with tunes from Saya Gray, Dylan Sinclair, Raveena and Tesher. Also, how a manga character inspired an up-and-coming superstar.

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.