Pop Pantheon The 10 Greatest Canadian Pop Stars of All Time (with Carly Lewis)
Jul 17, 2025
Carly Lewis, a Toronto-based writer for major outlets like The New York Times and Vanity Fair, joins the discussion to rank Canada’s top pop stars. They explore the unique factors that shape Canadian pop stardom, from artistry to government support. The conversation spans icons like Celine Dion and Drake, while also spotlighting lesser-known talents and their contributions. Delving into the evolution of femininity in music, they celebrate how artists like Peaches and Tegan and Sara challenge societal norms, showcasing Canada's rich and diverse pop landscape.
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Canada's Unique Music Support System
- Canada supports musicians with government funding, notably through Factor, aiding production and touring.
- Mandatory Canadian content quotas in radio also historically helped musicians gain exposure.
Biff Naked's Impact and Roots
- Carly Lewis introduced Biff Naked, a distinctly Canadian alternative pop-punk artist with meaningful lyrics.
- Russ shared personal memories of seeing her perform and highlighted her tackling tough topics like sexual assault and cancer.
The Pop Classic of Carly Rae Jepsen
- Carly Rae Jepsen's album Emotion represents a perfect pop record with significant critical impact.
- Subsequent albums were good but didn't reach the same creative peak, showing the difficulty of sustaining greatness.