Photo by couresty of / courtoisie de Gala Dynastie

Gala Dynastie: Nominees announced for 2022

Story by Eric Parazelli | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

The Gala Dynastie has been held in Montréal since 2017 as the culmination of Black History Month. This one-of-a-kind gala in Québec aims at rewarding personalities from the Black communities who distinguish themselves in the fields of music, arts, and culture, and whose achievements and accomplishments deserve to be recognized. The sixth annual edition will be held in Montréal’s Théâtre Maisonneuve on Mar. 5, 2022.

The nominees, in 13 categories, were announced on Feb. 2, 2022, and here are the music-related ones:

Video of the Year
AstrotoniX—Bloom
Dominique Fils Aimé—Love Take Over
Zach Zoya— In Da Way
KNLO—Plafond
Maky Lavender—Bloom

“World Music” Artist or Act of the Year
Pierre Kwenders
Joyce N’ Sana
Waahli
Djely Tapa
Kelly Krow

Anglophone Artist or Act of the Year
Planet Giza
Shay Lia
Zach Zoya
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Naya Ali

Francophone Artist or Act of the Year
Lost
KNLO
Tizzo
Connaisseur Ticaso
Imposs

Artist or Act of the Year Having Achieved the Most Success Internationally
Pierre Kwenders
AfrotroniX
Zach Zoya
Naya Ali
Kaytranada

Breakthrough Artist
Skifall
Shreez
Gayance
Clerel
Maky Lavender

For the full list of nominations, visit the Gala Dynastie website.

The event will be hosted by stand-up comedian Preach, and musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Sweet La Rock. The gala will also feature performances from Lost, Djely Tapa, Alan Prater, Kelly Krow, and Yama Laurent. This year’s edition will also pay homage to Don Karnage and Karim Ouellet, both of whom passed away in January of 2022.

SOCAN responds to tabling of Online Streaming Act

Story by SOCAN | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

SOCAN welcomes the tabling of the Online Streaming Act, and is in support of the proposed legislation as a foundation for now and the future.

“The Online Streaming Act is a big step in the right direction,” said SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown. “The government has clearly heard from Canada’s music creators that they need support to create, and to be fairly promoted on streaming services, and this bill sets the stage for that to happen.”

Currently, for every dollar in music licenses from Canadian TV and radio broadcasters, around 34 cents are distributed to Canadian songwriters and composers, but for every license dollar from online streaming, only 10 cents remain in Canada. The Online Streaming Act is the first step to correcting that inequity for music creators.

Online streaming services promoting Canadian music will make it easier for Canadian audiences to find and engage with our songs and stories.

“The existing Broadcasting Act was designed before the Internet was a music delivery platform, and modernization is desperately needed,” Brown added. “Reforming the Act is a necessary step to strengthening Canadian songwriters and composers’ place within Canada and supporting Canadian music in a digital world.”

SOCAN thanks Minister of Canadian Heritage, The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez,  for staying true to the promise of introducing this important Bill, and looks forward to all parties stepping up for what’s right for Canada’s culture and economy.

Apply now for 2022 Festival international de la chanson de Granby

Story by Marie-Michèle Bouchard | Thursday February 3rd, 2022

Attention SOCAN member songwriters of the Canadian Francophonie! The registration period for the 2022 edition of the Festival international de la chanson de Granby (FICG), which will be held Aug. 7-27, has officially begun. You can apply to the Grand Concours Hydro-Québec, or you can register for Jamais Trop Tôt (“Never Too Early”) and for the Vitrines musicales showcases. Once again this year, SOCAN will be a partner in this major event. Stay tuned to find out more about our level of involvement in the 54th edition.

GRAND CONCOURS HYDRO-QUÉBEC | FOR AGE 18+ EMERGING ARTISTS
The main competitive segment of the event, the Grand Concours Hydro-Québec, is a key platform for emerging performers and singer-songwriters. Not only will the 24 selected participants share more than $100,000 in prizes, they’ll also gain access to intensive training sessions hosted by seasoned music industry professionals. The winner of the Grand Concours Hydro-Québec will receive $25,000 in development funds.

JAMAIS TROP TÔT | FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS AGED 14 TO 17
In collaboration with the Réseau national des Galas de la chanson, this unique pan-Canadian project, by and for artists aged 14 to 17, takes place in several stages. Twenty-four texts are selected from song lyrics written by senior high school students and set to music by former participants in the Grand Concours. Twenty-four young performers will then be selected for training, to create a show that will be presented for one night only during the festival. Young writers can submit their lyrics until Mar. 25, 2022, and registration is now open to find the performers who’ll participate in the creation of the show.

LES VITRINES MUSICALES | PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SHOWCASES
Now an essential meeting place for professional artists of the Francophone music industry, FICG’s music showcases are an opportunity for Canada’s French-speaking artists to showcase their talent. With more than 200 international professionals and dozens of European broadcasters attending, it’s an opportunity for our members to enjoy exceptional visibility within the industry. The Vitrines musicales will be held in person from Aug. 22-25, 2022.

The application period ends on Mar. 16, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Full details (in French only) are available on the Festival website, at ficg.qc.ca.