Jessie Reyez and Drake are set to be honored with special accolades at the upcoming 2026 SOCAN Awards ceremony. Recognized as prominent figures in Toronto’s hip-hop and R&B scene, they are among the distinguished artists being lauded at the annual event celebrating Canadian songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
Reyez will be presented with the International Achievement Award for her significant contributions in representing Canada on the global music stage and shaping music culture with her exceptional talent. The Canadian Colombian artist, renowned for her collaborations with A-list stars like Eminem and Beyoncé, has previously garnered multiple Juno Awards.
Drake, on the other hand, will receive his fifth consecutive award for songwriter of the year in the performer category, acknowledging his unparalleled impact on the global music scene. The Toronto rapper recently made history by surpassing several Billboard records with the release of a triple-album, breaking a long-standing record held by Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 hits by a solo male artist.
The SOCAN Awards ceremony is scheduled for October 26 at Rebel nightclub in Toronto and will be emceed by actor Andrew Phung and TV personality Arisa Cox. SOCAN, standing for the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada, is a non-profit organization dedicated to managing licensing fees and safeguarding the rights of Canadian songwriters.
Among the other esteemed awardees this year are Toronto rapper Maestro Fresh Wes and producers Anthony Davis and Peter Davis, recognized for their 1989 hit “Let Your Backbone Slide,” the first single by a Canadian hip-hop artist to achieve gold status in the country, hailed as a global success story.
Quebec singer-songwriter Peter Peter will be honored with the Global Impact Award for composing the original music for Crave’s popular hockey romance film “Heated Rivalry.” Additionally, Calgary singer-songwriter-producer Jenna Andrews will receive the Songwriter of the Year Award in the non-performer category for her contributions to the soundtrack of Netflix’s hit animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Furthermore, Toronto’s Nathan Micay will be awarded the Breakout Composer Award for his exceptional work scoring HBO’s acclaimed high-finance drama series “Industry,” while Victoria singer-songwriter Jade LeMac will be presented with the Breakout Songwriter Award, recognized as a promising new voice in the Canadian music scene.
All winners will receive the coveted SOCAN trophy, which also doubles as a musical instrument. This year, the trophy’s five custom bronze crotales will be tuned to the notes from “Let Your Backbone Slide.” Notably, SOCAN recently initiated legal action against U.S. artificial intelligence company Suno, alleging copyright infringement related to unauthorized use of songs in its repertoire.