Billboard Canada

PARTNER CONTENT PATRÓN Tequila brought the art of music-making into full view in Toronto with Crafted Live, a two-day experience celebrating the time, creativity and craftsmanship that goes into making music from scratch. Over the course of 48 hours, the pair wrote, produced and recorded an entirely new song inside a glass recording studio at Front and Spadina, inviting audiences to watch the creative process unfold in real time. The experience brought PATRÓN’s dedication to craft together with RUSSELL!’s own hands-on approach to music, spotlighting the passion and process behind the finished product. Gabriel Di Sante Made by hand and crafted by passion, PATRÓN Tequila is produced at Hacienda PATRÓN in Jalisco, Mexico, where master artisans come together with a shared purpose: to create authentically Mexican, super premium tequila. Using traditional, time-tested methods and just three natural ingredients 100% Blue Weber Agave, water and yeast, over 60 hands contribute to every bottle from beginning to end. For RUSSELL!, that connection felt particularly organic. “Just like PATRÓN tequila, it’s made all in-house. It’s homegrown from step one,” he says. That, from-the-ground-up mentality, has long been part of RUSSELL!’s creative process. The independent artist, who has amassed more than 45 million lifetime streams, remains closely involved across his music, from songwriting and recording, to production. “I’m a DIY musician, so I make all my own stuff. I engineer myself, I write everything, I help produce things,” he says. Gabriel Di Sante Crafted Live presented by PATRÓN offered a different way to experience that work. With the studio open to public view, audiences could see the track taking shape across the two days, revealing the ideas, skills and decisions that are often invisible by the time a finished song reaches listeners. A parallel comparison for PATRÓN Tequila. Behind every bottle is a meticulous process that begins with carefully selected Blue Weber Agave. The agave is hand-chopped, baked in small brick ovens and crushed using both a two-ton volcanic stone Tahona wheel and a roller mill, before being fermented and distilled in small batches. While the pair had 48 hours to complete the challenge, RUSSELL! is no stranger to working quickly. “I make songs in like 30 to 45 minutes. I work very fast,” he says. “But I also think it’s great to take my time and really craft.” The extended process also gave RUSSELL! and Nari the chance to translate the spirit of the experience itself into the track. The result is “On The Rocks,” which carries the spirit of classic 2000s R&B. It's smooth, fun and full of hooks – a perfect Millennial party starter. > See on Instagram “I want to spread the vibe of PATRÓN Tequila, to capture that in the music,” RUSSELL! says. “I want to make the soundtrack of what this sounds like, what it smells like, what it feels like…Like the PATRÓN Perfect Margarita. Some lime, some agave, sweet and sour.” Like the artisans behind PATRÓN, RUSSELL! and Nari transformed a few essential elements into something layered and distinctive. Crafted Live brought the two creative processes together, demonstrating that whether crafting premium tequila or an original track, the finished product is defined by the hands, passion and precision behind it. And while the glass studio was only in Toronto for two days, the result will live beyond it. RUSSELL! and Nari’s Crafted Live collaboration, “On The Rocks,” has officially been released and is available on SoundCloud. Find the original track “On The Rocks” here. Gabriel Di Sante *THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRÓN IS RESPONSIBLY. ©2026. PATRÓN, ITS TRADE DRESS, THE BEE LOGO & SIMPLY PERFECT ARE TRADEMARKS. HANDCRAFTED IN MEXICO. TEQUILA – 40% ALC./VOL. MUST BE LEGAL DRINKING AGE.

Drake’santicipatedFOMOis set to be released Tuesday night (Sept. 15). Hours before the “not so short film” arrives, Drizzy shared details and what inspired him to create the visual in a candid Instagram post. “This is self funded surrealism A story about making the absolute most of it all in one summer,” Drake wrote. “Credit to nobody but the members Here’s some life advice before you watch Nobody is coming to save you.” Drizzy ultimately hopes that the short film will inspire viewers in some way to live a fuller life. “You must use each day to decipher who you love and trust and march forward with them I hope this serves as motivation to make that call, take that trip, drop that song, open that shop, see your parents, leave that relationship or stay in it forever, spend the bread, get some more etc,” he continued. While he hears the noise from people claiming hip-hop is going downhill, Drake assured fans he’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and he still loves the genre as much as he did before his career took off to global fame. “They keep saying our genre is dying Videos don’t matter Nobody is watching nobody is listening I still care. As much as I did on the set of Best I Ever Had,” he concluded his post. “So be kind and rewind.” It’s unclear how new Drake music will ultimately play a role in Fear of Missing Out, which he began teasing in September. The OVO boss hasn’t been wasting much time in 2026, as the 39-year-old is coming off dropping his trifecta of albums (ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR) in May. The albums made history, with Drake becoming the first artist to simultaneously hold the top three slots of the Billboard 200. The short film will be available to stream on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Find Drake’s post below. > See on Instagram This story originally appeared in Billboard U.S.

Devon Cole is a “Serial Kisser” on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts. The Calgary-born act arrives at No. 37 on the CHR/Top 40 Airplay chart, dated Sept. 12. Known for her bold, tongue-in-cheek demeanour, Cole’s latest single is no exception. Driven by a bass-heavy groove and punchy, disco-infused guitar licks, the production bubbles over with an infectious energy, and it’s an immediate dose of pop-perfection serotonin. Cole’s sharp lyrics make the personal track feel universal as she details the impulse to lean into her flaws instead of apologizing for them. It’s elevated by the chaotic trials and tribulations of modern dating, turning the track into a fun and irresistibly catchy ride as she sings: “Cuz you know the night’s still young / if you wanna have some fun.” Last week, “Serial Kisser” was the No. 1 most-added song on Canadian radio — another major feat for Cole. The pop singer is no stranger to the Billboard Canada charts, making her Canadian Hot 100 debut in 2024 with “I Got You.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5AnUu3foTo&pp=ygUYZGV2b24gY29sZSBzZXJpYWwga2lzc2Vy Ruby Waters arrives at No. 27 on Modern Rock with “GET A GRIP.” It’s the latest track from the Ontario-born singer-songwriter, as she seemingly grapples with choosing self-worth over toxic relationship games. Instead, focusing on the desire to let loose and go with the flow. “It's way too bright, let's turn down the lights / Getting a grip and letting it slip,” she sings in her classic rasp. Produced by Waters and collaborator Sam Jackson Willows, the duo have crafted the ultimate indie rock song with an atmospheric sound that’s elevated by grit, hypnotic cadences and a steamy groove. > See on Instagram On All-Format, Brayden King’s “We Got Beer” debuts at No. 48, while Tim Hick is “The Pilot” at No. 49. Darren Vaudreuil assumes the title of “Mauvais Garcon” at No. 30 on AC. Indigenous country singer Shawnee Kish will “Ride At Dawn” at No. 52 on Canada Country, while Francis Degrandpre lands at No. 60 with “Si J'avais Su.” The Blue Stones secure the only Mainstream Rock debut with “Happy Cry” at No. 40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ySa6bp6Z8&pp=ygUZaGFwcHkgY3J5IHRoZSBibHVlIHN0b25lcw%3D%3D At the top, there isn’t much movement. Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” remains at No. 1 on All-Format and AC, while the JENNIE-featuring version of Tame Impala’s “Dracula” holds down the top spot on Hot AC. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” sits at No. 1 on CHR/Top 40, but Ella Langley might be coming to dethrone the pop singer as the country star’s hit “Choosin’ Texas” climbs to No. 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUsrYVxrDwI&pp=ygUNY2hvb3NpbiB0ZXhhcw%3D%3D Over on Country, Stella Lefty maintains her No. 1 hot streak with “Boston,” but Luke Combs’ “Be By You” climbs to No. 2, potentially gearing up to reclaim the top spot. Three Days Grace spends their third week at No. 1 on Mainstream Rock with "Don't Wanna Go Home Tonight," their fourth No. 1 hit from 2025's Alienation. Elsewhere, Cage the Elephants’ “Beaches In Tennessee” holds up at No. 1 in its eighth week on the Modern Rock chart. Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.

Marshmello & Cameron Whitcomb’s genre-blending song has landed on the Billboard Canada charts. The duo’s collaboration “Hollow” arrives at No. 85 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, dated Sept. 12. It marks the first collaboration between the American DJ and the Canadian singer-songwriter. On “Hollow,” Whitcomb's gritty delivery is layered with shimmering neon synths and a pulsating four-on-the-floor beat. While the homegrown star got his start in country music, he has kept expanding beyond the genre — now he’s stepping into the electronic and dance music world. It’s an intimate track that culminates in a heartfelt chorus: “When the light goes hollow and burns away tomorrow, at least I'll always have tonight with you,” he sings. While Whitcomb’s music often centers around mental health and sobriety, “Hollow” follows in the path of “You and Me,” which he declared as his “first-ever love song.” It’s Whitcomb’s second entry on the Canadian Hot 100, joining “Kingdom of Fear,” which has sat at No. 3 for multiple weeks, although he told Billboard Canada he was “coming for No. 1,” backstage at LASSO. The song-of-the-summer contender marks Whitcomb’s highest-charting song and was his first track to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in June. Over on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, his debut record, The Hard Way, sits at No. 16. Earlier in the summer, Whitcomb had another collab with an electronic music hitmaker: Diplo. “Would U Still Love Me” hit the Canadian Hot 100 in July, reaching No. 71. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzm6zLDUp-Q&pp=ygUs4oCcSG9sbG934oCdIC0gTWFyc2htZWxsbyAmIENhbWVyb24gV2hpdGNvbWLSBwkJ_gsBhyohjO8%3D It’s a big week for Alex Warren, who arrives at No. 3 on the Canadian Albums chart with his sophomore project, WILDCHILD. Time will tell if it surpasses his debut album, 2024’s You’ll Be Alright Kid, which peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian Albums chart and spent 99 weeks there. WILDCHILD blends intimate and vulnerable songwriting with Warren’s rich vocals, which have already captivated global audiences over the past year. In 2025, Warren’s chart-topping hit “Ordinary” spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming the second-longest No. 1 song in the chart’s nearly two-decade history. While he hasn’t quite duplicated that success, he earns a new entry on the chart with “Emerald Eyes” at No. 81. “Creating this album was really healing, therapeutic and a way for me to continue finding out more about myself,” Warren said of the album, named after a nickname from his dad. In the coming weeks, Warren’s 20-week No. 1 placement may be overtaken by Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” which notches an 18th week at No. 1, becoming tied for third with Harry Styles’ “As It Was” for the longest-running No. 1 song in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sx1Y4p1yVw&pp=ygUYYWxleCB3YXJyZW4gZW1lcmFsZCBleWVz Meanwhile, a couple of TikTok-viral hits have made their way onto the charts. Comehelpglo’s “onsra” arrives at No. 77, marking the rising U.S. alternative hip-hop act’s debut chart entry in Canada. After weeks of teasing snippets on social media, Ashe’s “Stop The Wedding!” debuts at No. 86, ushering in a new era for the California-born singer-songwriter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLV8FpyxZPQ&pp=ygUVc3RvcCB0aGUgd2VkZGluZyBhc2hl The Dolly Parton chart renaissance is maintaining its stride as her 2007 compilation album, The Very Best Of Dolly Parton, debuts at No. 8 on the Canadian Albums chart. It’s a platter of her biggest hits, including “9 to 5,” “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again.” On the Canadian Hot 100, “9 to 5” sits at No. 24, and “Jolene” at No. 21. Parton’s duet with Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream,” hits No. 34. Still, Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide spends a second week in its No. 1-reclaimed spot on the Canadian Albums chart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x87Zx3XAIsI&pp=ygUgZG9sbHkgcGFydG9uIGhlcmUgeW91IGNvbWUgYWdhaW4%3D Find all of Billboard Canada's charts here.

Vancouver-based A&R and song management company Reliant Music has embarked on a global partnership with ADA Benelux, the Western Europe distribution and artist services initiative of Warner Music Group. Known for producing dance music tracks Reliant’s global distribution deal will focus on expanding its international presence in a region where the genre is quite popular. ADA Benelux is WMG's independent distribution division for the Benelux region, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg — the major music label expanded into the Western European market in 2020. Recently, Reliant has worked with major acts like Armin van Buuren, Timmy Trumpet, Hardwell, Nicky Romero and Fedde Le Grand, among others. Founded in 2012, Reliant creates “fire toplines for global DJs and electronic music artists,” per their website. Headquartered on the Canadian west coast, the company has a second office in Toronto, and A&R is led by John Dexter and Adrian Lock across North America. To foster local growth, the company newly opened a creative hub at Vancouver’s Armoury Studios. Nearly a decade after its launch, Reliant expanded to Europe in 2021, hiring Mischa Daniëls, who leads A&R in Europe. Currently, they have two Europeans offices in Amsterdam and Berlin. Dexter co-managed Carly Rae Jepsen in the early years of her career, helping to produce her monster hit “Call Me Maybe,” while Daniëls signed Loud Luxury and released the duo’s breakthrough single “Body” in his previous role as Armada Music’s creative music director. “Call Me Maybe” was a major moment for Jepsen in 2012, a then-rising singer-songwriter from Mission, B.C. It was her debut entry and first No. 1 hit in the U.S., spending nine weeks at the top on the Billboard Hot 100, and four weeks at No. 1 in her home country on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Through the global agreement with ADA Benelux, Reliant will retain its A&R and artist development infrastructure, while the former will provide international distribution support. “We want to give artists, songwriters and producers real creative attention and offer flexible ways of working together based on what each record needs,” said Dexter. “Our partnership with ADA allows us to maintain that focused, independent approach while creating opportunities to scale successful records internationally.” ADA Benelux’s roster includes the likes of Julia Sabaté, Benny Sings, Artemas and notably Daft Punk, through a global-regional catalogue distribution deal. Calling Reliant “a fantastic team of skilled professionals with a genuine passion for music, who excel at developing a demo into a hit record, all while keeping a sharp eye for detail,” Pim Lauwerier, head of ADA Benelux, says: “We’re confident this partnership has even bigger achievements ahead of us, and we can’t wait to celebrate new successes together.”