Canada has been a major player in the global music scene, producing iconic male pop singers who have made a lasting impact.
From Leonard Cohen’s poetic lyrics to Justin Bieber’s chart-topping hits, these artists have shaped modern pop music.
This blog explores the lives and legacies of these legendary figures, examining how they’ve turned their unique styles into international sensations.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or a curious listener, Canada’s rich array of talent will captivate you.
Join us as we celebrate the voices that have established Canadian pop music as a powerful presence on the world stage and discover the stories behind the songs that have become a part of our musical heritage.
Iconic Male Canadian Pop Singers
1. Justin Bieber
- Early career: Discovered on YouTube in 2007, signed to RBMG Records in 2008.
- Career highlights: Released 6 studio albums and sold over 150 million records worldwide.
- Significant songs and awards: “Baby,” “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” 2 Grammy Awards, 21 Billboard Music Awards.
2. Shawn Mendes
- Early career: Gained popularity on Vine in 2013, signed to Island Records in 2014.
- Career highlights: Released 4 studio albums, toured internationally and collaborated with various artists.
- Significant songs and awards: “Stitches,” “Treat You Better,” “Señorita,” 13 SOCAN Awards, 11 Juno Awards.
3. The Weeknd
- Early career: He began releasing music on YouTube in 2010 and signed to Republic Records in 2012.
- Career highlights: Released 4 studio albums, performed at the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show.
- Significant songs and awards: “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Starboy,” “Blinding Lights,” 3 Grammy Awards, 19 Billboard Music Awards.
4. Michael Bublé
- Early career: He released his debut album in 2003 and gained international success with “It’s Time,” released in 2005.
- Career highlights: Sold over 75 million records worldwide, known for his smooth vocals and classic jazz style.
- Significant songs and awards: “Home,” “Haven’t Met You Yet,” “Everything,” 4 Grammy Awards, 14 Juno Awards.
5. Bryan Adams
- Early career: He released his debut album in 1980 and achieved mainstream success with “Cuts Like a Knife,” released in 1983.
- Career highlights: He sold over 100 million records worldwide and is known for his rock and roll style.
- Significant songs and awards: “Summer of ’69,” “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?,” 1 Grammy Award, 20 Juno Awards.
6. Drake
- Early career: He began as an actor on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” and released his debut mixtape in 2006.
- Career highlights: Released 6 studio albums and holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries.
- Significant songs and awards: “One Dance,” “Hotline Bling,” “God’s Plan,” 4 Grammy Awards, 29 Billboard Music Awards.
7. Corey Hart
- Early career: He released his debut album in 1983 and gained international success with his 1985 album “Boy in the Box.”
- Career highlights: Sold over 16 million records worldwide, known for his new wave and pop-rock style.
- Significant songs and awards: “Sunglasses at Night,” “Never Surrender,” “Everything in My Heart,” 1 Grammy nomination, 12 Juno Awards.
8. Paul Anka
- Early career: He began his career in the 1950s and released his debut album in 1958.
- Career highlights: Sold over 100 million records worldwide and wrote hits for various artists, including Frank Sinatra.
- Significant songs and awards: “Diana,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “You’re Having My Baby,” 1 Juno Award, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
9. Daniel Powter
- Early career: He released his debut album in 2000 and gained international success with his 2005 single, “Bad Day.”
- Career highlights: “Bad Day” topped charts in several countries and was the elimination song on “American Idol.”
- Significant songs and awards: “Bad Day,” “Free Loop,” “Lie to Me,” 1 Billboard Music Award, 1 Juno Award.
10. Rufus Wainwright
- Early career: He released his debut album in 1998 and is known for his unique baroque pop style.
- Career highlights: Composed an opera titled “Prima Donna,” collaborated with various artists across genres.
- Significant songs and awards: “Poses,” “Go or Go Ahead,” “Hallelujah,” 2 Juno Awards, Esky Music Awards for Best Songwriter.
11. Matt Dusk
- Early career: Released his debut album in 2004, known for his crooning style and jazz-influenced pop
- Career highlights: Performed for the Prince of Wales and collaborated with various artists.
- Significant songs and awards: “Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad,” “Back in Town,” “Good News,” 4 Juno Award nominations
12. Steven Page
- Early career: Co-founded the band Barenaked Ladies in 1988 and was the lead vocalist and guitarist until 2009.
- Career highlights: Released successful albums with Barenaked Ladies and as a solo artist.
- Significant songs and awards: “One Week,” “It’s All Been Done,” “Brian Wilson,” 8 Juno Awards with Barenaked Ladies.
13. Ed Robertson
- Early career: Co-founded the band Barenaked Ladies in 1988 and was the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter.
- Career highlights: Released successful albums and toured extensively with Barenaked Ladies.
- Significant songs and awards: “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” “If I Had $1,000,000,” 8 Juno Awards with Barenaked Ladies.
14. Gordon Lightfoot
- Early career: He began his career in the 1960s and released his debut album in 1966.
- Career highlights: Considered one of the greatest Canadian singer-songwriters, known for his folk-rock style.
- Significant songs and awards: “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” 5 Grammy nominations, 16 Juno Awards.
15. Leonard Cohen
- Early career: He began as a poet and novelist and released his debut album in 1967.
- Career highlights: He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, known for his profound lyrics and distinctive voice.
- Significant songs and awards: “Suzanne,” “Hallelujah,” “So Long, Marianne,” 1 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 4 Juno Awards.
16. Marc Dupré
- Early career: He began his career in the 1990s and released his debut album in 2001.
- Career highlights: Successful career in French-language pop music, served as a coach on “La Voix,” the Quebec version of “The Voice.”
- Significant songs and awards: “Refaire le monde,” “Entre deux mondes,” “Nous sommes les mêmes,” 4 ADISQ Awards.
17. Pierre Lapointe
- Early career: He released his debut album in 2002 and is known for his poetic and theatrical approach to music.
- Career highlights: Successful career in French-language pop music, collaborating with various artists.
- Significant songs and awards: “Deux par deux rassemblés,” “Tel un seul homme,” “Les callas,” 8 ADISQ Awards.
18. Roch Voisine
- Early career: He began in the 1980s and released his debut album 1989.
- Career highlights: Successful career in French and English-language pop music, and sold over 15 million records worldwide.
- Significant songs and awards: “Hélène,” “I’ll Always Be There,” “Avant de partir,” 5 Juno Awards, 7 ADISQ Awards.
19. Félix Dyotte
- Early career: He began his career in the 2000s and first gained attention as a contestant on “Star Académie” in 2004.
- Career highlights: Released several successful French-language albums and collaborated with various artists.
- Significant songs and awards: “Maintenant ou jamais,” “Je te suivrai,” “Maintenant,” 2 ADISQ Award nominations.
20. Scott Helman
- Early career: Signed to Warner Music Canada in 2014 and released his debut EP in 2014
- Career highlights: Opened for Shawn Mendes and Walk off the Earth, nominated for several Juno Awards
- Significant songs and awards: “Bungalow,” “Ripple Effect,” “Pretty,” 3 Juno Award nominations
21. Karl Wolf
- Early career: He began his career in the 2000s and released his debut album in 2006
- Career highlights: Known for his blend of R&B, pop, and Middle Eastern music, he collaborated with various artists
- Significant songs and awards: “Africa,” “Carrera,” “Yalla Habibi,” 3 Juno Award nominations
22. Tyler Shaw
- Early career: Gained attention through his YouTube covers, signed to Sony Music Canada in 2012
- Career highlights: Released two successful studio albums, toured with Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara
- Significant songs and awards: “Kiss Goodnight,” “House of Cards,” “With You,” 1 Juno Award nomination
23. Sébastien Lacombe
- Early career: He began his career in the 2000s and first gained attention as a contestant on “Star Académie” in 2004
- Career highlights: He released several successful French-language albums, known for his romantic ballads
- Significant songs and awards: “Jusqu’à moi,” “Reviens-moi,” “J’ai besoin de parler,” 2 ADISQ Award nominations
24. Maxime Landry
- Early career: Gained attention as the winner of “Star Académie” in 2009
- Career highlights: Released successful French-language albums, known for his powerful vocals
- Significant songs and awards: “Mon ange gardien,” “Ailleurs,” “Je suis là,” 2 ADISQ Award nominations
25. Bobby Bazini
- Early career: He released his debut album in 2010, known for his soulful voice and blend of folk, rock, and R&B
- Career highlights: Toured with Bon Jovi and received international recognition for his music
- Significant songs and awards: “I Wonder,” “C’est la vie,” “Move Away,” 2 Juno Award nominations
26. Dan Bremnes
- Early career: He released his debut EP in 2010 and is known for his faith-based pop and rock music
- Career highlights: Received international recognition for his singles “Beautiful” and “Where the Light Is.”
- Significant songs and awards: “Beautiful,” “Where the Light Is,” “Up Again,” 2 Juno Award nominations
27. David Myles
- Early career: Released his debut album in 2005, known for his blend of folk, jazz, and pop
- Career highlights: Collaborated with various artists, including Classified on the hit song “Inner Ninja.”
- Significant songs and awards: “Inner Ninja,” “Simple Pleasures,” “When It Comes My Turn,” 2 Juno Awards
28. Dallas Green
- Early career: Began as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.
- Career highlights: Started a successful solo project, City and Colour, known for his vibrant folk and acoustic music
- Significant songs and awards: “Save Your Scissors,” “Sleeping Sickness,” “The Girl,” 3 Juno Awards
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, Canadian male pop singers have shaped the genre and brought it to the global stage.
From Leonard Cohen’s profound lyrics to Justin Bieber’s influence on modern pop, each artist has added to the richness of global music culture.
Their achievements, recognized by numerous awards, highlight the significance of Canadian talent.
The future of Canadian pop music is bright, with rising stars like Scott Helman and Tyler Shaw bringing fresh perspectives and sounds.
They continue the tradition of groundbreaking music and pave the way for new artistic triumphs.
Thank you for joining this musical journey. With its deep roots and ambitious spirit, Canadian pop music continues to inspire and entertain, proving that the heart of pop beats strongly in Canada.
