A Toronto night for songwriters: 2026 SOCAN Awards honour Jessie Reyez, Jenna Andrews

Nearly 600 music creators, publishers and industry leaders gathered at Rebel on Toronto's waterfront for the 2026 SOCAN Awards. SOCAN reported on October 27 that Jessie Reyez received the International Achievement Award, with a tribute performance by Savannah Ré and Jhyve; Reyez said being celebrated for her career in Canada by a Canadian institution felt like 'coming back from a long trip, setting your suitcase down, and remembering you're at home.'

The writer behind BTS's 'Butter' accepts at home, visibly moved

Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) went to Jenna Andrews, who was visibly moved at being recognized for her work in the country where it all began. Andrews has co-written some of pop's biggest songs, including BTS's 'Butter' and 'Free' and 'What It Sounds Like' from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters. Other honours went to Jade LeMac (Breakout Songwriter Award), Nathan Micay (Breakout Composer Award) and Peter Peter (Global Impact Award for his work on Heated Rivalry).

Five awards in one night, matching Drake's haul

Composer Andrew Lockington earned Screen Composer of the Year and a Most Streamed Film Music Award for Atlas, alongside honours for his work on Taylor Sheridan's Landman, Mayor of Kingstown and Special Ops: Lioness — five awards in all, matching Drake's five-award haul. Under a full moon on Toronto's waterfront, the night belonged to the people who write the songs: names rarely on the poster, but behind the choruses everyone sings.