La TOHU rocked to the beat of the SOCAN 2025 Gala, marking the organization’s 100th Anniversary with more than 100 trophies, awarded in 25 categories, to honour the creativity and excellence of songwriters, screen composers, and music publishers from Québec and French-speaking Canada. The event, hosted by Rebecca Makonnen, with musical director Chloé Lacasse, brilliantly alternated between award presentations, tributes, and surprise performances.
The event opened with a bang as La Zarra performed a vibrant rendition of “Évidemment” (winner of the International Song Award), after which SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown welcomed the audience by reminding everyone of the historical importance of this centennial. “On this special occasion, I think with gratitude of the pioneers of copyright in Québec. Diane Juster, Luc Plamondon, Gilles Valiquette, Lise Aubut… and many others,” said Brown. “It is thanks to their determination that we have become such a strong group. We continue to follow in the footsteps of these trailblazers.”
The 34th SOCAN Gala kicked off in style, rolling out several Special Achievement Awards. The Cultural Impact Award went to iconic hip-hop group Muzion for “La Vi Ti-Neg,” a powerful anthem of unity, history, and urban identity. Diane Juster was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to Francophone music and copyright, while Charlotte Cardin and Jason Brando took home top honours as Songwriter of the Year and Non-Performing Songwriter of the Year, respectively. Banx & Ranx earned the Songwriter of the Year – Producer award, and Cristobal Tapia de Veer, was once again, awarded the Screen Composer of the Year Award. The International Award went to the trailblazing Kaytranada, whose influence reaches far beyond Canada’s borders. The Publisher of the Year Award was presented to Face Trois Musique/Third Side Music, represented by publisher Patrick Curley.
Honouring Popular Songs and Screen Composers
A total of twelve Popular Song Awards were handed out throughout the evening to the songwriters and music publishers of the most played Francophone songs in 2023 and 2024. The ones honoured were “Partout,” “Le blanc des yeux,” “Une bouteille à la mer,” “80’s,” “Vol à l’étalage,” “Printemps,” “Ensemble,” “Rien d’autre que toi,” “Night in Paris V. F.,” “Fake Friends,” “La fin du show,” and “Feel Good.” Two Anglophone Popular Song Awards were also handed out, to “Confetti,” sung by Charlotte Cardin, and “Take Me Away (My Love),” sung by Mike Demero & Zagata.
To spotlight the vital work of screen composers and their publishers, the Orchestre Filmharmonique delivered a powerful, emotional performance of musical themes from this year’s award-winning film and television scores. The Breakthrough Screen Composer of the Year Award went to Olivier Bibeau, while composers Kim Gaboury (Wong and Winchester), Miklos Simpson (STAT), Guy Kaye (Indéfendable), Gaétan Essiambre (Salut Bonjour), and Rémy Tremblay (L’île Kilucru) all distinguished themselves in the Music for Television – National category. Cristobal Tapia de Veer (Smile, The White Lotus) and Ramachandra Borcar (Kings of Coke) were celebrated in the Television and Film Music – International categories.
The inaugural Herbert Ruff Award for Audiovisual Post-Synchronization, shining a spotlight on the growing importance of post-synchronization and the vital contributions of creators and publishers in the field, was awarded to Éditions Backstage Passes for its contribution to the growth and reach of local screen compositions.
Special Awards
In the specialized music categories, rappers Souldia and Lost each won a Hip-Hop Music Award, Zeina won the R&B Music Award, Priori won the Electronic Music Award, Dominique Fils-Aimé received the Hagood Hardy Award for Jazz music, and Caroline Lizotte won the Jan V. Matejcek Award for New Classical Music. The Country Music Award went to Salebarbes, and the Global Music Award, presented by Gowling WLG, went to Waahli.
The Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award was presented to the phenomenal Fredz, who’s rapidly building a promising career, both here at home and in Europe. He also offered the audience a rendition of his hit song “Le stade.” Finally, the essential role of SOCAN-licensed companies and organizations in ensuring the fair and ethical use of music was recognized with the Partner in Music Award, presented this year to TRAM7, an invaluable partner in ensuring music gets its rightful place across a wide range of screen productions.
Mind-blowing Performances, Moving Anecdotes and a Memorable Induction
Left to right: Banx & Ranx, Muzion, Aliocha, Richard Séguin, Alexandre Alonso (SOCAN), Jean-Christian Céré (SOCAN). Photo: Benoit Rousseau
Richard Séguin, whose induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame was one of the highlights of the Gala, was deeply moved by the musical tribute paid to him by Simon Godin, Luce Dufault, Jorane, Vincent Vallières, Ivan Boivin-Flamand, and Jeanne Coté, who brilliantly interpreted some of Séguin’s greatest hits. His friend Patrice Michaud added a heartfelt and humorous tribute, before Richard took the stage to share his pride, but with the sincere humility for which he’s well known.
The Cultural Impact Award winner, “La Vi Ti-Neg,” by Muzion, was powerfully delivered by Shah Frank, Waahli, and Barnev, gifting the audience with a moment that was both festive and deeply emotional.
Finally, as the 2025 SOCAN Gala marked the centennial celebration of the organization, the evening featured video tributes from members expressing their pride in being part of the talented family of local songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Pioneers in copyright advocacy, Diane Juster and Gilles Valiquette, took the stage to deliver a message of gratitude for the progress made, while urging the next generation of creators to stay vigilant, ensuring SOCAN remains a pillar of cultural sovereignty for at least another century.
For all the details about the 2025 Gala SOCAN, visit galasocan.com.