Canada has always been the underdog music hub for great artists. Multiple artists call the Northern country home and there’s so many that some people may not even realize they are Canadian!
Here’s a list of artists you didn’t (or did) know were Canadian.
1. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber, known as a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, is actually from Stratford, Ontario. He got his start singing on the steps of Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre.
2. Shawn Mendes
One of our national treasures, Shawn Mendes, is actually just from outside of the GTA! He grew up in Pickering, Ontario.
3. Alessia Cara
The ‘Scars to Your Beautiful’ singer had the honor of performing the Canadian National Anthem at Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals. She’s actually from Brampton, Ontario!
4. Drake
The real surprise is if you didn’t know that Drake AKA the 6ix God was from Toronto, Ontario. He’s one of the city’s biggest supporters, plugging mentions of his hometown every chance he gets!
5. The Weeknd
Another one of the world’s top artists is actually from Canada. The Weeknd is grew up in Scarborough, Ontario!
6. Mark of NCT 127
Making a name for himself in South Korea as a part of NCT, Mark Lee is actually Canadian. He was born in Toronto, Ontario before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia.
7. Zeds Dead
Using Toronto staples like the CN Tower and Honest Ed’s in their promo images, the electronic music duo consists of Dylan “DC” Mamid and Zachary “Hooks” Rapps-Rovan. Together they are better known as Zeds Dead and got their start in Toronto, Ontario.
8. Mac Demarco
The ‘On the Square’ singer was born in Duncan, British Colombia before moving and growing up in Edmonton, Alberta.
9. Johnny Orlando
One of the world’s newest teen heartthrobs is from Canada. Johnny Orlando was born in Mississauga, Ontario.
10. The Reklaws
Fun fact, Reklaws spelt backward is Walker. Even more of a fun fact, the brother-sister country duo grew up in Cambridge, Ontario.
11. James Barker Band
Catching a photo with Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav and the CN Tower, this picture screams ‘CANADA’. The band and its members are from Woodville, Ontario.
12. Shania Twain
Catching up with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the legendary Shania Twain is from Windsor, Ontario.
13. City and Colour
Dallas Michael John Albert Green, better known under his stage name, City and Colour is from St. Catharines, Ontario.
14. Arkells
Hardcore Toronto sports fans, the Arkells, are from Hamilton, Ontario.
15. The Beaches
The all-girl rock band are from Toronto, Ontario. Their name actually is named after the area they grew up in known as the Beaches!
16. The Tragically Hip
Canada’s staple rock band, the Tragically Hip, was recently given an honorary degree from Queen’s University. The university is based in Kingston, Ontario where the band first formed in 1984.
17. Elijah Woods & Jamie Fine
The two look cool as a Canadian winter as they sit in the middle of Yonge-Dundas square. The duo got their start when they formed in 2014 at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario.
18. Jann Arden
Residing from Calgary, Alberta the Canadian singer was recently appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.
19. Tory Lanez
Recently performing at the NBA Finals 2019 Halftime show for Game 5, Tory Lanez is actually from Brampton, Ontario.
20. Jessie Reyez
Originally born in Toronto, Ontario the Colombian-Canadian singer later moved and grew up in Brampton, Ontario.
21. The Tenors
Originally known as the Canadian Tenors, the group originated in Victoria, British Colombia. The group has seen members come and go, and the Tenors is currently comprised of Fraser Walters (British Columbia), Victor Micallef (Ontario), and Clifton Murray (Newfoundland).
22. Nav
The ‘Price on My Head’ rapper makes sure to mention the city in his songs when he gets the chance. Why? Nav is from Rexdale, Ontario!
Let us know who your fave Canadian artist is! – @umusic
TAKE OUR FINISH THE LYRICS: CANADIAN ARTIST EDITION QUIZ HERE.