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In Canada: Alex Warren Speaks Out After Exiting Sommo Festival, Says ‘I’m Going Through a Lot’

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Alex Warren is doing something unordinary for a pop star.

On Sep. 3, organizers of P.E.I’s Sommo Festival shared that the “Ordinary” singer withdrew from the event due to “a recently booked scheduling conflict,” in a now-deleted social post.

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“With the festival being next week, as you can imagine, this leaves us in a difficult position,” they wrote. “We are working hard to complete the lineup, and you’ll be the first to know when we do.”

Warren was set to join the East Coast two-day festival from September 13-14, with headliners Hozier and Alanis Morissette, and support from Ducks Ltd., PVRIS, Alice Merton, Chiara Savasta, Michael Marcagi, Hollow Coves and more.

Later that night, the chart-topping star took to TikTok to share his perspective — and set the record straight.

“Four weeks ago, I asked for time off. I’m going through a lot of stuff, I’ve been touring all year, I have rehearsals on my birthday — so I wanted a week off. A week off where I could go see a therapist, spend time with my family and sleep in my own bed, because I haven’t been able to do that,” Warren shared.

Read more here. — Heather Taylor-Singh

Karan Aujla’s ‘P-Pop Culture’ Earns Historic Debut, Enters Billboard Canadian Albums Chart At No. 3

Karan Aujla is making Canadian history.

The Punjabi powerhouse’s new album, P-Pop Culture, debuts at No. 3 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, dated September 6.

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A bold fusion of Punjabi pop and hip-hop, P-Pop Culture is a tribute to the soil that raised Aujla and a call to the world to embrace the new wave of Punjabi artists. He balances pop melodies drenched in love and nostalgia with impactful hip-hop bars.

In Canada, the record earned 12.4 million streams, marking the highest debut for a Punjabi-language album in Canadian history — a record that surpasses Aujla’s 2023 album, Making Memories.

Aujla announced his new album, P-Pop Culture, in Montreal on July 27, releasing the album’s lead single “Gabhru!” days later. It debuted at No. 46 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, continuing his chart hot streak.

Read more on the chart feat here. — HTS

Bruce Allen Hands Presidency of His Talent Firm to Paul Haagenson

Veteran Canadian music executive Paul Haagenson has been appointed president of Bruce Allen Talent, effective Oct. 6.

The move comes as company founder Bruce Allen steps into the role of chairman, continuing his long-standing involvement with the Vancouver-based management firm.

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Haagenson previously served as president of Live Nation Canada, where he oversaw some of the country’s biggest tours and live events. Before that, he was vice president and general manager of the Western Division at House of Blues Concerts Canada. His decades of experience in the live music and talent management industries position him to steer Bruce Allen Talent into its next chapter.

Read more here. — Peony Hirwani


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Kendrick Lamar, Clipse & Doechii Show Rap Can Shine in Every Style With 2026 Grammy Noms

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On Friday (Nov. 7), the Recording Academy unveiled the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, and as always, the hip-hop world has plenty to celebrate and debate. With everyone on pins and needles, this year’s lineup delivers no shortage of storylines, surprises and standout performances from rap’s elite.

For the second consecutive year, Kendrick Lamar leads all contenders with a staggering nine nominations, courtesy of his late-2024 masterclass, GNX. After last year’s dominant run, capped by him ultimately claiming song and record of the year for “Not Like Us” at the Grammys in February, Lamar is looking to go back-to-back, with “Luther” also recognized in both categories. Joining him in the Big Four categories are fellow rap titans Tyler, The Creator and the Clipse, both of whom are nominated for album of the year. Tyler’s Chromokopia flexed his creative range and unfiltered candor, while Clipse’s unapologetic return to their trademark druglord narratives with Let God Sort Em Out sparked a wave of critical acclaim and Grammy contention.

The women of hip-hop also showed out in this year’s nominations, further proving the genre’s depth. Doechii, Cardi B, and GloRilla each earned major recognition, underscoring why rap remains in a healthy, evolving place despite outside noise. Doechii, who claimed best rap album last year, scored six more nominations on the strength of her viral smash “Anxiety” and the enduring impact of Alligator Bites Never Heal. Likewise, GloRilla’s 2024 comeback has catapulted her back to the top of the food chain, marking a powerful redemption run.

See what else Billboard has to say about this year’s hip-hop nominees below.

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From The Weeknd to Gracie Abrams, Which Snubbed Artist Should’ve Gotten a 2026 Grammy Nod? Vote!

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Numerous artists are currently flying high after scoring 2026 Grammy nominations on Friday (Nov. 7) –but there are also several major contenders who didn’t get quite as lucky.

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Despite garnering major award buzz this past year, stars such as The Weeknd, Gracie Abrams and Alex Warren didn’t get recognized in certain categories, which were unveiled Friday morning in a livestream on the Grammy website. The absence of the artist born Abel Tesfaye from the nominations list was particularly noticeable, as he had just reconciled with the academy last year and dropped Billboard 200-topping album Hurry Up Tomorrow in February. But while Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Bad Bunny got honors in the album of the year category, The Weeknd did not.

Both Abrams and Warren were also excluded from the major categories, with neither “That’s So True” nor “Ordinary” getting song or record of the year consideration, even though those were two of the biggest Billboard Hot 100-charting tracks of the year. Warren at least scored a nod for best new artist, but that category was also missing several big names, including Zach Top, Megan Moroney, Ella Langley and Ravyn Lenae.

The producer of the year, non classical category will turn heads for the second year in a row as well, as Jack Antonoff — who was notably excluded from the list in 2025 — once again did not make the cut. That comes in spite of his work on two album of theyear contenders, Lamar’s GNX and Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, both of which spent time at No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart. Instead, Dan Auerbach, Cirkut, Dijon, Blake Mills and Sounwave will fight it out for the prize.

But while the academy’s word is final, it’s your turn to share how you feel about the outcome of the initial voting process this year. Have any strong feelings on which snubbed artist was the most deserving of recognition? We want to know.

Tell us who you think should have been nominated in a category they were shut out of by voting in the poll below.

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Pete Davidson Surprises on ‘SNL,’ Jokes About Ferry Boat He Bought With Colin Jost: Watch

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Pete Davidson returned to Saturday Night Live for a surprise appearance on Nov. 8.

The comedian and actor, who was an SNL cast member from 2014 to 2022, crashed the “Weekend Update” segment to poke fun at a recent article about a decommissioned Staten Island ferry he purchased with Colin Jost in 2022. The two had planned to transform the vessel into an upscale entertainment venue.

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The New York Times recently ran an article calling the Staten Island Ferry that I purchased with Pete Davidson a ‘money-losing fiasco.’ With more on this, is Pete Davidson,” Jost said in introducing The King of Staten Island star.

“Colin, you’re looking great as ever. [Michael] Che, starting to crack,” Davidson joked, mentioning his recent appearance at the 2025 Riyadh Comedy Festival and that he’s expecting his first child.

“So yeah, in case you’re wondering why I had to do a show in Saudi Arabia, we’re losing millions on this ferry,” he continued. “I assume that’s what the article says. I can’t spend $5 on a paywall when I got a kid on the way.”

Davidson and Jost then continued trading jokes about the 2,109-ton ferry, which they bought at a New York auction for $280,100.

“We even gave the boat a new name,” Davidson said. “We thought the Staten Island Ferry sounded too depressing, so now it’s called the Titanic 2.” Jost added, “That’s right, and it’s actually going very well. Recently, we got paid by Nike to put an ad on it for the New York City Marathon.”

Earlier on Saturday, Davidson told People that he’d “do anything” for SNL boss Lorne Michaels, saying he’d return to the show if asked.

“I had a great time hosting last time, and anytime you get that call, it’s an honor and a privilege,” the eight-season SNL vet said. “It’s always relevant, it’s a hot show. People look forward to it, and the cast is great.”

Saturday’s episode was hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, with singer-songwriter Sombr serving as the musical guest.

Watch SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment with Davidson below, and find all the ways to stream the full episode here.

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