Also this week: Drake finances a new album for a Canadian rapper and Tate McRae's Victoria's Secret performance draws criticism.
Billboard Canada has announced some more major global names for Billboard Canada Women In Music, where Cardi B will accept the Global Woman of the Year Award .
Summer Walker will accept the Global Visionary Award. Walker has broken barriers to build a modern global R&B success story based on boundless creativity and radical vulnerability. This year, Walker transformed her now-complete Over It trilogy into her first arena tour , the Finally Still Over It tour, which sold out venues around the world. The tour told the tale of her three albums, kicking off in Toronto and culminating with a special finale in the U.K., with two sold-out nights at London’s O2 Arena.
Celebrating the feat in a special moment captured by Billboard Canada and Billboard UK , Walker paid tribute to the bold and loyal team that has helped her achieve new heights as she has built her own path within the industry.
Bebe Rexha will be honoured with the Global Hitmaker Award , which recognizes her decade-spanning career and illustrious path from songwriter to one of the most versatile charting stars on the music landscape. From pop to electronic, country and R&B, she has shown an ability to craft songs that resonate with massive audiences including multiple No. 1s in Canada and the U.S.
Now in 2026, the singer has taken greater creative control of her career, going independent and partnering with EMPIRE , a decision she describes as not just a business one, but a personal one, “embracing every part” of herself. Her 2026 album Dirty Blonde hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Dance Albums chart and reflects Bebe’s newly heightened creative ambition, which includes making music videos for every song on the album.
Chxrry will accept the 2026 Billboard Canada Rising Star Award .
It has been four years since the Scarborough-born, Los Angeles-based act (formerly Chxrry22) made history as the first female artist signed to The Weeknd’s XO record label. Chxrry has continued to build her audience, playing both intimate and stadium-sized concerts during her opening stint on The Weeknd’s record-breaking After Hours Til Dawn tour . This year, she played 16 sold-out shows across the globe, including two stops in Toronto.
The celebration will be hosted by Leandra Earl and Kylie Miller of The Beaches, the breakthrough Toronto band that was recognized as last year’s Women of the Year.
The band celebrated the major breakthrough that began in 2023 with “Blame Brett” and continued through their 2025 album No Hard Feelings and their graduation to an arena-level band. They have remained true to themselves and proudly worn their home country on their sleeve, all while continuing to build an impact that transcends beyond it.
In addition to being major honourees last year, they were undoubtedly the life of the party, celebrating with the other honourees and creating a viral moment as they shared their surprise while congratulations played from Elton John, Kid Cudi, Charlotte Cardin and more. Following the Women of the Year honour, they also became the first group to receive the Global Force Award at Billboard Women In Music in Los Angeles. They described the win, which recognizes their representation of Canada on the world stage, as a “ dream come true .”
Kylie and Leandra’s charm has also breathed new life…