The 36th SOCAN Awards took place on October 26, 2026, at Rebel in Toronto, bringing together over 600 industry professionals to celebrate Canadian songwriting and publishing. The ceremony recognized a wide variety of talent, from global superstars to emerging breakout composers.
Who led the SOCAN Awards 2026 winners list?
Two distinct types of musical success dominated the evening. Global icon Drake earned five honors, including his sixth win for Songwriter of the Year – Performer, alongside four specific awards within the Rap and R&B genres. Matching his success was screen composer Andrew Lockington, who also took home five awards. Lockington was recognized as the Screen Composer of the Year and received a Most Streamed Film Music Award for Atlas, in addition to honors for his work on various Taylor Sheridan television productions.
Read also Drake and Lockington Lead Major Sweep at SOCAN Awards
Other significant individual honors included:
- Jessie Reyez, who received the International Achievement Award.
- Jenna Andrews, named Songwriter of the Year for non-performers.
- Jade LeMac, honored with the Breakout Songwriter Award.
- Nathan Micay, recognized as the Breakout Composer of the Year.
- Peter Peter, who was celebrated for his contributions to the series Heated Rivalry with a special recognition prize.
How is the industry adapting to new technology?
Beyond individual accolades, the event addressed the evolving landscape of the music economy. SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown used the platform to discuss the necessity of protecting human creators as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent. She argued that because music is born from real life, it possesses a value that automated tools cannot replicate. The organization pledged to continue fighting for the rights of creators to ensure they are compensated fairly for their work.
Celebrating musical legacies
The ceremony also looked backward to honor the roots of Canadian music. The SOCAN Cultural Impact Award was given to the legendary hip-hop track “Let Your Backbone Slide” by Maestro Fresh Wes, Anthony Davis, and Peter Davis. The night concluded with tribute performances for several artists, including Jessie Reyez and the late Indigenous musician Cris Derksen.
FAQ
What was the main theme of the evening?
The ceremony celebrated excellence in songwriting and composing while emphasizing the importance of human creativity in the age of AI.
Where did the event take place?
The awards were held at the Rebel venue on the Toronto waterfront.
