Global superstar Cardi B is set to make history at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2026, where she will be honored with the inaugural Global Woman of the Year award. The celebration, scheduled for November 24 at Rebel in Toronto, will recognize her profound influence and accomplishments on a worldwide scale. This prestigious award marks a significant moment for the Billboard Canada Women In Music franchise, highlighting its expanding international scope and commitment to acknowledging artists whose impact transcends geographical boundaries.
Cardi B: A Decade of Global Impact and Chart Domination
In less than a decade since her explosive breakthrough single “Bodak Yellow” ascended to the top of the Billboard charts, Cardi B has undeniably reshaped the global music landscape. Her journey from reality television personality to Grammy-winning artist and cultural icon is a testament to her unique blend of unfiltered authenticity, sharp lyricism, and undeniable charisma. "Bodak Yellow," released in 2017, became a monumental hit, making her the first solo female rapper since Lauryn Hill in 1998 to top the Billboard Hot 100 without any featured artists, signaling the arrival of a transformative force in hip-hop.
Her influence extends significantly into the Canadian market, where she has consistently demonstrated formidable chart power. To date, Cardi B has amassed an impressive 46 charting songs on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, with eight of these tracks reaching the coveted top 10. These statistics underscore her sustained popularity and the widespread appeal of her music across Canada’s diverse listenership. Tracks like "I Like It" featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion, and "Up" have not only achieved commercial success but have also become cultural touchstones, showcasing her versatility in blending hip-hop, pop, and Latin rhythms. Her ability to craft infectious hooks while delivering hard-hitting beats and vulnerable, often hilarious, narratives has resonated deeply with fans globally.
Beyond her prolific chart performance, Cardi B’s touring prowess reached new heights with her "Little Miss Drama Tour" this year. The North American arena tour was a complete sell-out, a historic achievement for a female rapper, further solidifying her status as a top-tier live performer. Canadian dates included high-profile performances at major venues such as Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, and Hamilton’s TD Coliseum, all of which were met with overwhelming demand. The success of this tour not only highlights her immense fan base but also demonstrates the significant commercial viability of female artists headlining large-scale arena tours, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Her unmatched charisma and impeccable style, which she is sure to bring to the Billboard Canada Women In Music celebration, are integral to her magnetic stage presence and overall brand.
Billboard Canada Women In Music 2026: A Celebration of Industry Leaders
The third edition of Billboard Canada Women In Music is poised to be more globally inclusive than ever before, bringing together Canada’s most exciting musical talents with international luminaries and key figures from across the music industry. The introduction of the Global Woman of the Year award reflects Billboard Canada’s evolving vision to recognize the broader impact of artists who shape the global cultural conversation. A spokesperson for Billboard Canada noted, "Cardi B embodies the spirit of a global icon. Her unparalleled success, innovative artistry, and ability to connect with audiences worldwide make her the perfect recipient for our inaugural Global Woman of the Year award. We are thrilled to celebrate her profound contributions to music and culture."
In addition to Cardi B, other trailblazing women will be honored for their significant contributions to the Canadian music landscape. Melissa Bubb-Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer at Live Nation Canada, will receive the Executive of the Year award, one of the most prestigious honors within the Canadian music industry. Since joining Live Nation Canada in 2024, Bubb-Clarke has been instrumental in a period of remarkable growth, driving major initiatives through strategic partnerships and commercial vision. Her leadership has overseen transformative projects such as the revitalization of the RBC Amphitheatre, the successful second season of Toronto’s premier concert venue Rogers Stadium, the opening of HISTORY Ottawa, and the execution of numerous major festivals across the country. Her work exemplifies the critical role of visionary leadership in shaping the live music experience for millions.
Kristy Fletcher, President of the education charity MusiCounts and Chief Operating Officer of CARAS (the academy behind the Juno Awards), will be presented with this year’s Impact Award. Fletcher’s dedication extends beyond celebrating today’s artists; she is a passionate advocate for empowering the next generation of Canadian musicians through equitable access to music education. Her tireless efforts to strengthen the Canadian music ecosystem by fostering talent from the ground up have had a profound positive influence on young musicians nationwide, ensuring a vibrant future for Canadian music. These accolades underscore the multifaceted contributions of women across all sectors of the music industry, from artistic creation to executive leadership and philanthropic endeavors.
Drake’s Unprecedented Chart Dominance Continues with ‘Habibti’
Meanwhile, in another significant chart development, Toronto’s own Drake has further cemented his status as a chart-topping titan in his home country. His album, Habibti, has re-entered the Billboard Canadian Albums chart at No. 1 on the October 17 chart date, marking his 17th career chart-topping project in Canada. This achievement extends his existing record for the most No. 1 albums in the country, a testament to his unparalleled consistency and enduring appeal.
Drake’s journey to this unprecedented record has been a steady climb, with each new release reinforcing his dominance. He previously broke ties with Canadian icon Céline Dion and global sensation Taylor Swift, both of whom held 15 No. 1 albums. With Habibti re-claiming the top spot, he now boasts a comfortable two-album cushion over these legendary artists, highlighting a sustained period of commercial success that few can match.
The latest chart milestone for Habibti follows the release of its deluxe FOMO edition, which added four new tracks to the original album. This strategic move, common in today’s music industry, effectively reinvigorated interest in the project and propelled it back to the summit. Habibti was originally part of an ambitious trio of albums—alongside Iceman and Maid of Honour—that Drake dropped on the same day in May. At that time, Iceman had already secured his 16th No. 1 album, breaking his previous tie for the record. This multi-album release strategy showcased Drake’s prolific output and his unique approach to engaging his massive fanbase.
The four new tracks from the FOMO deluxe edition were first previewed during the rapper’s FOMO livestream event, generating significant buzz. All four additions immediately made their mark on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, dated October 17. Three of these tracks debuted within the top 10: "Quebec" at No. 5, "Solar Eclipse" featuring Don Toliver at No. 6 (notably interpolating Ella Langley’s record-breaking hit “Choosin’ Texas”), and "Cold Shoulder," featuring both Don Toliver and singer Yebba, at No. 7. The final deluxe track, "Classic PT2," an extended version of "Classic" from the original Habibti release, re-entered the chart at No. 17, having previously peaked at No. 4.
Drake’s pervasive presence on the Canadian Hot 100 this week is undeniable, with nine of his songs charting concurrently. In addition to the new deluxe tracks and "Janice STFU" from Iceman (which rose one spot to No. 13), four other tracks also re-entered the chart: "WNBA" (No. 65), "I’m Spent" featuring Loe Shimmy (No. 69), the Qendresa-featuring "Slap the City" (No. 82), and "High Fives" (No. 90). This consistent chart performance underscores not only the strength of his new material but also the enduring popularity of his catalog, maintaining his status as a dominant force in Canadian music.
Ella Langley’s "Choosin’ Texas" Resumes Historic Run
In other Canadian Hot 100 news, Ella Langley’s "Choosin’ Texas" has once again reclaimed the No. 1 spot, continuing its remarkable run towards chart history. After being briefly dethroned for one week by Taylor Swift’s "Patient Zero," Langley’s country smash returned to the summit, marking its 22nd non-consecutive week at No. 1. This places the track just three weeks shy of Shaboozey’s monumental record of 25 weeks at No. 1 with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” for the longest reign ever on the Canadian Hot 100.
Langley’s ascent has seen her surpass a slew of formidable artists in her quest for the longest-leading No. 1 song in Canada. She recently overtook Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” which held the top spot for 21 weeks, securing the No. 2 position in the record books. Prior to that, she surpassed Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’s global phenomenon “Old Town Road,” which spent 19 weeks at No. 1, and Harry Styles’ ubiquitous hit “As It Was,” which commanded the chart for 18 weeks. The resilience and sustained popularity of "Choosin’ Texas" highlight the significant and growing influence of country music within the Canadian market, demonstrating its ability to compete and dominate alongside mainstream pop and hip-hop.
Live Nation Addresses Backstreet Boys Obstructed View Ticket Controversy
In the realm of live entertainment, Live Nation Canada has announced plans to relocate fans holding partial-view seats for the Backstreet Boys’ highly anticipated Toronto concerts. The record-breaking boy band has been a prominent topic in the city following the announcement of their "Into the Millennium – Homecoming: Live in Canada" residency. Initially slated for four nights at the Rogers Centre, the overwhelming demand led to an unprecedented expansion to 12 nights, running from February 12 to March 7. This extended run set a new record for the most-played shows at the stadium, surpassing previous records held by global titans like The Weeknd and Taylor Swift, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Backstreet Boys.
However, the excitement was tempered for some fans who discovered their purchased tickets might not offer the ideal view of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson on stage. During the initial presale windows, fans secured their seats, only to later observe that the venue map had been updated to flag certain sections as having obstructed views – areas that corresponded to their purchased tickets. This discrepancy sparked considerable online outcry against both Ticketmaster and Live Nation, the event’s promoter.
Responding swiftly to fan concerns, a spokesperson for Live Nation confirmed to Billboard Canada that the issue stemmed from additional production details that became apparent after the initial presale dates. "We understand the concerns raised by some of our fans," the spokesperson stated. "Following the initial onsale for the Backstreet Boys Toronto Residency, additional production details identified potential sightline concerns. Out of an abundance of caution, additional seats were subsequently flagged as possibly having obstructed views."
Live Nation emphasized their proactive approach to rectifying the situation. "Once the situation was identified, we acted quickly, reviewing affected seating locations and implementing a plan to address them. Fans whose seats are impacted will be proactively relocated to comparable full-view locations in advance of their show. We expect to begin reaching out to affected fans in the coming days with additional information." This proactive relocation strategy aims to ensure that all concert-goers have an unobstructed and enjoyable experience.
Affected fans have already begun receiving email notifications from Live Nation, informing them that their tickets have been flagged "as potentially having a partially obstructed view while the show’s production is being finalized. Your seats may be affected, but this hasn’t yet been confirmed." The message acknowledged the frustration caused by the situation, assuring fans that "The Event Organizers are confirming which seats are affected and working on a solution." This incident highlights the complexities of large-scale event production and ticketing, underscoring the importance of transparent communication and robust contingency planning to maintain fan trust and satisfaction. The resolution of this issue will be closely watched as the Backstreet Boys prepare for their record-setting Toronto residency.
