Boost Collective

The Biggest Record Labels In Canada

Written by Jake Smedley | Feb 19, 2023 10:49:55 PM

The Music Scene In Canada

Canada has a lively and varied music scene, with different types of music and activities in each region.

 

In Canada, there was a lot of musical activity in the second half of the 20th century. Choral music societies popped up all over the country, and opera grew in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

 

The music scene in Montreal, in particular, has been diverse and experimental since the 1920s.

 

Genres like heavy metal, classical, hip hop, jazz, and blues, as well as indie, electronica, and world beats, can be found there.

 

There are a lot of creative and French-speaking people in the city, so there are a lot of places to see and things to do.

 

In Toronto, the indie and punk scenes are using things like panels, shit lists, and coalitions to make venues safer and deal with racism and sexual abuse. Even with this progress, Canada still has a long way to go to make its music scene more diverse and open to everyone.

 

Overall, the music scene in Canada is dynamic, with different kinds of music being played in different parts of the country.

 

There is something for everyone in music, from choral music groups to the eclectic and experimental music scene in Montreal to the indie and punk scenes in Toronto.

 

Want to get your music on active & relevant playlists that actually get results? 

 

Get your music heard now 👇

 

 

 

Boost is the platform artists go to when they’re ready to graduate from basic distributors anyone can access. Here’s what they have to offer.

 

  • Promotion On Autopilot - Every release you distribute is automatically pitched
  • Free Asset Funding - From cover art to video visuals, artists get it all when they distribute through Boost Collective
  • Future Growth Opportunities - As you grow, more doors unlock with Boost. From editorial opportunities to advances, distribution deals, and more. All whilst you stay independent!

 

Canadian Influence On The World

Canadian music has had a big impact on the rest of the world. This is because Canadian musicians try out different sounds and styles to make a unique mix of folk, pop, rock, and other styles.

 

At the beginning of the 20th century, Canadian musicians had their own hits that could be bought as sheet music. World War I slowed down the growth of the Canadian music industry, but it also led to the creation of songs that were proud of being Canadian.

 

Canadian music has been shaped more by foreign composers in the past, but the Canadian environment is starting to have more of an effect, especially in the popular music scene.

 

Canadian musicians have made their own sound by combining different styles and genres, like folk, rock, and pop, to make something that is only found in Canada. This mix of styles has affected the world of music. Canadian musicians have influenced artists and genres all over the world.

 

Overall, Canadian music has affected the world music scene because it mixes different styles and genres to make a unique sound that has influenced other artists and genres.

Canadian musicians have made a lasting mark on the world stage, from the early 1900s patriotic songs to the experimental mix of styles in modern music.

 

 

Universal

If you're trying to get into the music scene in Canada, you're bound to run into something UMG-related!

 

This is a segment of UMG's mission statement:

 

"We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute, and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

 

Record Labels Accepting Demos In 2024!

 

Our vast catalog of recordings and songs stretches back over a century and comprises the largest, most diverse, and culturally rich collection of music ever assembled.

As digital technology refashions the world, our unmatched commitment to lead in developing new services, platforms, and business models for the delivery of music and related content empowers innovators and allows new commercial and artistic opportunities to flourish."

 

Universal Music Canada is one of the biggest, if not the biggest Canadian record labels in the world!

 

Sony Music

This is from the impact report from Sony Music:

 

"As a global company that employs thousands of people in more than 60 countries, we affect the lives of our employees, their families, and the larger communities where we do business. We also know that an organization of our size can and must help protect the environment and work toward sustainability. Since we have a lot of power, it's important to us that we use it to tackle the most important problems in our communities and on our planet and to help build a more fair and inclusive society."

 

Sony Music is not just another record label; it has a big impact on Canadian music & the world.

 

 

Warner

Warner Music has a big impact on the music scene in Canada. Artists like 54-40, Big Wreck, Eleven Past One, Spirit of the West, The Sheepdogs, and many more are signed to Warner Music Canada.

 

How To Get A Record Deal as an Independent Artist!

 

It's definitely one of the more established labels, compared to other independent labels!

Warner Music is a big record label all over the world, not just in Canada. It was started in 1967, so it's been around for 56 years and has been helping young and emerging artists ever since!

 

 

HITCO

Modern music and entertainment company HITCO Entertainment was started by LA Reid and Charles Goldstuck.

 

The modern music company that started in January 2018 is focused on developing artists, making content, and making content that works across platforms.

 

Do I even need a record label to succeed?

 

The fast-growing independent company has already signed a wide range of artists, from buzzy newcomers like SAINT JHN, Yella Beezy, and Delacey to platinum-selling acts like Big Boi (Outkast), Dinah Jane (Fifth Harmony), and Jennifer Lopez. HITCO has places of business in both New York and Los Angeles.

 

This independent record label has signed many popular artists in Canada & The United States!

 

Big Loud

Craig Wiseman, a songwriter from Nashville, and Joey Moi, a record producer from Canada, started Big Loud Records in 2015.

 

After his contract with RCA Records Nashville ended in 2018, Jake Owen moved to Big Loud. "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)," his first single with Big Loud Records, topped the country music charts that year. The song was Owen's 2019 album's first single.

 

What Are Distribution Deals?

 

Morgan Wallen had back-to-back No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with "Up Down" and "Whiskey Glasses" after signing with Big Loud Records. Big Loud Records now has singer/songwriter Hardy, Mason Ramsey, and Sean Stemaly on their roster.

 

 

At the 2019 CRS/Country Aircheck Awards, the SVP-VP/Promotion trophy was given to Stacy Blythe, who is in charge of promotion. Big Loud is one of the fastest-growing record labels in the big music world!

 

In the past few years, Canadian country artist Dallas Smith, who had the most number-one hits on the Canada Country chart, was signed to the Big Loud label. Smith, producer Scott Cooke, partner Alex Seif, and Big Loud also worked together to make Local Hay Records, which is based in Canada. The first person they signed to the new label was Shawn Austin

 

 

Curb

Curb Records (Curb I Word Entertainment) is one of the most successful independent record labels in the world. It is owned and run by Mike Curb. In 2016, Mike Curb bought Word Records, and the two companies became one (Curb I Word Entertainment).

 

Mike Curb, who used to be California's Lieutenant Governor and Acting Governor, is one of the most famous people in the entertainment industry.

 

He runs his own independent record label, which has helped launch the careers of many stars and is thought by many to be the oldest record company in the country that is still run by its founder.

Curb has had a long and successful career that spans more than 50 years.

 

Types Of Record Deals!

 

He has been a successful songwriter, producer, and record company owner, and his work spans a wide range of musical styles. He has written more than 300 songs on his own and has won a lot of awards in the music business, including the prestigious Overall Producer of the Year Award from Billboard magazine.

 

 

Mom + Pop

Mom + Pop Music is an independent record label based in New York City. Its current roster includes Courtney Barnett, Madeon, Tom Morello, Porter Robinson, Tycho, Tash Sultana, Sunflower Bean, Beach Bunny, Caamp, Del Water Gap, and more.

 

With help from Q Prime Management owners Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch, founder and president Michael Goldstone started the label in the summer of 2008. In 2009, Goldstone brought Thaddeus Rudd on as his business partner and co-president.

 

Alice Merton, who is best known for her hit song "Roots," was the most important Canadian influence on them.

 

Capitol Music Group

Capitol Music Group is an umbrella label under UMG. They are known to be one of the more artist-oriented labels, especially since they're older.

 

Here are some artists from CMG:

  • The Beach Boys

  • Beatles

  • Jon Bellion

  • Katy Perry

  • Chris Tomlin

 

 

XO

The singer the Weeknd, his managers Wassim Slaiby and Amir "Cash" Esmailian, and his creative director La Mar Taylor started the Canadian record label XO, which is also called XO Records.

Slaiby is also the CEO of the record company.

 

Since 2012, it has been a part of Universal Music Group and is sold through Republic Records.

 

When Nav's Bad Habits album came out, it was a huge hit for XO. Drake, Gunna, Yung Thug, and other artists were on the album.

 

This label is a huge part of the Canadian music scene, especially for hip-hop.

 

OVO Sound

One of the biggest record labels, routinely making it into the Canadian music press. With artists like Drake, PND, and Roy Woods, it's hard to ignore their impact!

 

It's more of a hip-hop/pop-centered record label. If you're into folk music or electronic dance music, this might not be your favorite!

 

Get your music on playlists now.

It’s time you get your exposure and listeners up - playlisting by Boost Collective has been trusted by 50,000+ artists worldwide.

 

It’s easy: Search your song, get on playlists, and track your campaign.

 

What’re you waiting for? Tap in - and get added to playlists in 24 hours.

 

Join Boost Collective for free here.