It was a night of milestones at the SOCAN Awards in Toronto, where Drake made history as the most-awarded songwriter in SOCAN’s century-long legacy and the most awarded in a single evening.
Fellow international powerhouse Boi-1da was celebrated with the Global Impact Award for his influence as a songwriter and producer in helping shape the sound of a generation, while the songwriting team of Lowell, bülow, and Nathan Ferraro won the SOCAN International Achievement Award for their songwriting success and work on Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ’EM.”
The night’s historic moments were rounded out by a moving tribute by Allison Russell, to icon Joni Mitchell, honoured with the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award for her classic “Both Sides, Now,” marking a fitting centrepiece in a celebration of one hundred years of Canadian songwriting, composing, and music publishing excellence.
Drake received his fourth SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Performer Award, and also took home three Rap Music Awards, one R&B Music Award, and one Dance Music Award, achieving a single-night record of six SOCAN awards.
Chart-topping producer Ozan “OZ” Yildirim took home the SOCAN Producer of the Year Award for his work with Drake, J.Cole, Travi$ Scott, Jack Harlow, among other music heavyweights.
Evan Blair was celebrated with the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year – Non-Performer Award, the SOCAN International Song Award, and a Pop Music Award for the success of the global smash “Beautiful Things,” while SHUBH took home the Breakout Songwriter Award.
Jordan Gagne won his first SOCAN Screen Composer of the Year Award, while the Breakout Screen Composer Award went to Erica Procunier, and Most Streamed Production Awards went to:
- Jeff Toyne for Palm Royale
- Andrew Lockington for Special Ops : Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, and Landman
- Graeme Cornies, James Chapple, Brian Pickett and David Kelly for Paw Patrol
Hosted by actor and comedian Andrew Phung and TV host Arisa Cox, the awards also featured unforgettable performances by Alexander Stewart, Baby Nova, Frank Walker, Kalisway, Tia Wood, and Wild Rivers; a celebration of OZ’s incredible hits with live beat re-creation by DATSUNN and Rae on piano; and a salute to SOCAN screen composers, opening the show with an orchestral medley of 10 winning songs and cues being honoured during the evening – including music from Heartland, Paw Patrol, Dino Ranch, A Big Fat Family Christmas, Ghostwriter, Island of Bryan, Sportsnet, Atlas, Murdoch Mysteries, Night Swim, and Palm Royale.
The night ended with a video of SOCAN members wishing us a Happy 100th Birthday:
Select the image to access the SOCAN YouTube “Happy Birthday, SOCAN” video
“As we mark 100 years, we celebrate the incredible community of songwriters, composers and music publishers who remind us all why music matters,” said Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN. “From every stage, studio, and screen, Canadian music creators carry our stories across Canada and around the world, and SOCAN’s role has always been to stand with them, support their journeys, and ensure that their music continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Viral Song Awards were presented to:
- Alexander Stewart – “i wish you cheated”
- Chris Grey – “LET THE WORLD BURN”
- bbno$ – “it boy”
- yung kai – “blue”
- Cameron Whitcomb – “Quitter”
Special Awards were handed out in the following categories:
- Vince Fontaine Indigenous Song Award – Wyatt C. Louis for “In Emerald”
- Folk/Roots Music Award – Wild Rivers
- Hagood Hardy Award – Stephan Moccio
- Jan V. Matejcek New Classical Music Award – Dinuk Wijeratne
- Global Music Award – Ikky
- Licensed To Play Award – Peterborough Musicfest Inc.
- Herbert Ruff Audiovisual Post-Synchronization Award – Red Brick Songs Inc.
SOCAN Achievement Award winners receive “The SOCAN” – the world’s first and only music industry trophy that is also a musical instrument, incorporating five custom bronze crotales, tuned this year with notes from “Both Sides, Now” by Joni Mitchell.
For a complete list of 2025 SOCAN Award winners visit www.socanawards.com.
Photos from the event will be available when ready, here.