(Toronto) Drake wasn’t there to accept a handful of trophies at the SOCAN Awards on Tuesday, but the rapper’s presence was still significant at the celebration of Canadian songwriters.
The Toronto artist has won four rap awards for his songs Jimmy Cooks, Rich Flex, Spin Bout Uwith 21 Savage, and Wait For Uwith Future and Tems.
He also received the Songwriter of the Year award in the performer category.
Dozens of SOCAN Awards were presented to local songwriters, composers and music publishers during a celebration at Toronto’s History Hall for an audience of music industry professionals.
Arkells lead singer Max Kerman joined his bandmates on stage to accept the SOCAN National Impact Award, providing one of the most emotional moments of the evening.
In his speech, Kerman paid tribute to Allyson Van Niekerk, a devoted fan who recently died of breast cancer at the age of 42. He said the Hamilton band met her at a concert a few years ago when she danced with them on stage.
Last weekend, the band attended his celebration of life and performed their 2021 song All Roadsone of his favorites.
“I know we live in a time where listeners count tracks, monthly listeners, and all the metrics that consume us,” he said. “But what matters most to us in this indulgent and fortunate job that we have is the privilege of writing a song that can hold a place in someone’s life – like Allyson.”
Other songwriters have stopped to acknowledge the unimaginable impact their work can have on listeners.
Before the show, Elizabeth Lowell Boland reflected on the seemingly unimaginable opportunity to be a part of the album Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé.
The Calgary-born singer-songwriter, known simply as Lowell, has contributed to Beyoncé’s songs Texas Hold’Em And Bodyguard.
“Being a part of history – in my small way – has been the most incredible part of my life to date,” she said before picking up two trophies, including a country music award.
“I was shocked that she was interested in doing a song with me.”
Boland shared a country music award with her Canadian co-writer Nathan Ferraro, while she also won a rock music award for her work on Blame Brett of Beaches.
Tobias Jesso Jr. has also won several awards, including this year’s International Achievement Award, as well as a dance award for his work on Houdini by Dua Lipa and an R&B award for Always by Daniel Caesar.
Toronto rapper K’naan received the Cultural Impact Award for the global resonance of his 2009 hit Wavin’Flag by Tom Cochrane.
Pop singer Lu Kala has won a viral song award for her hit Pretty Girl Erawhich she performed as part of a medley to help kick off the festivities.
“A lot of times when we celebrate music, songwriters are the people that no one thinks about; they get the worst of it,” she said before the show.
“Tonight, I honestly just want the songwriters in the room to feel seen.”