If you know, you know. Monday night at Toronto’s REBEL nightclub, we knew we were witnessing something special. The 2025 SOCAN Award wasn’t just another industry pat on the back; it was a powerful testament to the Canadian soundscapes we’ve helped build, a century-in-the-making celebration where our voices weren’t just in the room—they were leading the ceremony.*
The Vibe: A Night of Legacy and Sisterhood
Let’s set the scene. The air at REBEL was thick with more than just bass lines; it was buzzing with a sense of generational passing of the torch. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Arisa Cox and Andrew Phung, the evening felt less like a formal gala and more like a massive, joyful family reunion for the entire Canadian music ecosystem.
But the true, heart-stopping moment that quieted the “often rowdy room” came from Allison Russell. Clad in a black dress and a red beret that unmistakably echoed her mentor, Russell paid tribute to the iconic Joni Mitchell, who was honoured with the Cultural Impact Award for her timeless classic, “Both Sides, Now”.
Russell didn’t just perform; she served a sacrament. She lit a candle, held up a photograph of Mitchell from the 1967 Newport Folk Festival, and recited a poem she’d written for the legend. “When Joni sings, when Joni writes, we cry,” she shared, before delivering a clarinet-accompanied rendition of the song that earned a standing ovation. It was a gentle, powerful moment of one woman of color honoring the complicated legacy of a female pioneer—a perfect “her lens” moment.
Drake’s Historic Sweep: A New Blueprint
Okay, let’s talk about the 6-foot-1 elephant in the room. The night’s biggest headline was, unsurprisingly, Drake. The Toronto native didn’t just win; he rewrote the record books, becoming the most-awarded songwriter in a single night in SOCAN’s 100-year history.
He snagged his fourth consecutive Songwriter of the Year – Performer Award, along with three Rap Music Awards, one R&B Award, and even a Dance Music Award for his feature on “Sideways” by DJ Gordo. A six-award sweep? That’s not just dominance; it’s a complete cultural takeover. While the man himself wasn’t there to physically hold the trophies, his absence didn’t dim the fact that his sound—a sound born from the specific cultural mix of Toronto—has fundamentally reshaped the global music scene.
Boi-1da’s Global Impact: Building Beats and Bridges
If Drake is the voice, Boi-1da (born Matthew Samuels) is a key architect of the sound. The Toronto producer was rightfully honored with the Global Impact Award for a career that includes crafting hits for Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and of course, Drake himself .
His acceptance speech was a love letter to the city that raised him. He called Toronto “one of the most cultured, most accepting [cities], one of the most culturally rich when it comes to music,”. Then he dropped a truth bomb we all felt deep in our bones: “This award isn’t just about me. It’s about the culture that raised me,” . In that moment, he wasn’t just a producer accepting an award; he was a representative for every kid in the diaspora who built a world in their bedroom studio.
A Century of SOCAN: More Than Just Awards
The night was a celebration of SOCAN’s 100th anniversary, a milestone for Canada’s largest member-owned music rights organization . CEO Jennifer Brown reminded everyone of the core mission: “SOCAN’s role has always been to stand with them, support their journeys, and ensure their music continues to thrive for generations to come,” .
In a beautifully symbolic touch, the winners received “The SOCAN”—a trophy that doubles as a musical instrument. Its five custom bronze crotales were tuned this year with notes from Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now,” literally making the award a piece of Canadian musical history you can play. To learn more about the SOCAN Awards, visit www.socanawards.com
The Takeaway: Our Stories, Our Sounds
The 2025 SOCAN Awards was more than a ceremony; it was a declaration. It was proof that the stories we live, the rhythms that move us in our kitchens, and the melodies that comfort us in our commutes across this snowy diaspora nation have undeniable power and value.
From Joni’s timeless poetry to Drake’s anthemic confidence, from Boi-1da’s foundational beats to the breakout voices of SHUBH and LU KALA, the message was clear: Canadian culture is diaspora culture. And from her lens, it’s a beautiful thing to witness.