Many well-known musicians trace their origins back to Canada which most people are unaware of. Certain artists such as Celine Dion and Drake represent Canada well, but some singers have established their careers where their Canadian heritage isn’t immediately apparent. These five singers carry Canadian heritage. Check them below.
1. Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams became an international icon through hits like “Summer of ‘69” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” though his birthplace in Kingston, Ontario, remains unknown to many.
He has reportedly sold between 75 million and over 100 million records and singles globally, which makes him one of the best-selling music artists. During the 2010s Canadian radio stations played Bryan Adams more than any other artist. At the same time his music reached the top-15 chart positions 25 times in Canada and more than a dozen times in the US, UK, and Australia.
The powerful sound of his rough voice, combined with his large-scale rock ballads, became iconic during the ’80s and ’90s, making him one of Canada’s highest-selling musicians.
During his career, Adams held concerts at both massive stadiums and small casino stages, such as Caesars Windsor, which stands as one of Canada’s top casino venues. His high-energy performances features on playlists that create the sound atmosphere for entertainment areas including both physical live venues and the online casino Canada where classic rock serves as a preferred player soundtrack.
2. The Weeknd
The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) rose to become a dominant music force by blending R&B with pop in a hypnotic way. The Weeknd launched his music career by uploading mixtapes to the internet until he became famous all over the world through hit songs such as “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears.”
The Weeknd’s record sales are mind-blowing: it surpassed 75 million, making him one of the best-selling artists worldwide. He also holds the Spotify record for most songs to reach over 1B streams, while “Blinding Lights” is the most-streamed song in Spotify history. His global popularity does not change his dedication to representing Toronto, where he comes from.
3. Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen was a musician and a multifaceted artist who wrote songs and poems while also publishing novels. He received inductions into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The nation recognized his achievements by awarding him the title of Companion of the Order of Canada, which represents the highest civilian honor.
Leonard Cohen’s poetic songwriting established him as a legendary figure whose songs “Hallelujah” and “Suzanne” helped secure his place as one of the most important songwriters in history.
4. Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne is often called the “queen of pop-punk,” and she has every right to this title! Through the early 2000s, she had some great hit singles like “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi”. Her contribution to pop punk was tremendous, and she was a key figure that enabled female-centric punk-influenced pop music to emerge during the early 2000s.
Her awards include eight Grammy Award nominations. From Belleville, Ontario, she became an international sensation thanks to her combination of rebellious spirit.
5. Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette was born in Ottawa, and by the ’90s, she had redefined her music style through intense emotional expression. She started her music career as a teen pop singer in Canada before reaching international fame with Jagged Little Pill. She reached cultural phenomenon status in the mid-1990s through the early 2000s. With over 75 million records sold around the globe, Alanis Morissette stands as one of the world’s top-selling music artists.
Her songs “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “Ironic,” and many others charted in the top 40 globally. Rolling Stone awarded her the title of “queen of alt-rock angst.”
