The Departure Conference and Festival will present SOCAN with the Industry Achievement Award, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of our first predecessor organization, which marks the birth of music copyright in Canada. The Departure Honours will be held May 7, 2025, at New Fort Hall in Hotel X (the host hotel) in Toronto, and we’re pleased and proud to accept this great accolade.
SOCAN conference presentations include Cookin’ Beats, where the acclaimed producer Murda Beatz (credits: Drake, Travi$ Scott, Nicki Minaj), known for his chart-topping hits, will breaks down his craft; and a songwriting masterclass, where Chantal Kreviazuk (credits: Drake, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears) will offer an in-depth look at her career as a hit songsmith.
From May 6–11, the SOCAN Songwriters Series delivers an exciting lineup to venues across the city. Highlights include the Black Music Songwriters Circle, featuring performances by AHI, DijahSB, Omega Mighty, Kalisway, and more; the must-see Producer Playback, where Hill Kourkoutis, Kayla Diamond, and others dive deep into their creative process; and several other dynamic songwriter circles, spotlighting incredible talents like Nia Nadurata, Ralph, Mint Simon, Evan Redsky, Ryan Langdon, Housewife, Leah Jane, and more.
The full schedule of SOCAN events is:
Tuesday, May 6
SOCAN Presents: Songwriter Masterclass
With Chantal Kreviazuk
1:00 p.m., Hotel X, Victory Ballroom
Hosted by Cameron Kennedy, VP Creative, SOCAN
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Black Music Songwriter’s Circle
With AHI, DijahSB, Omega Mighty, Kalisway, EverythingOShauN, Yoko Gold, BAWAH
7:00 p.m., El Mocambo
Hosted by Lord Quest, Creative Executive, SOCAN
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Out Loud
With Ralph, Mint Simon, Ming, Tafari Anthony
7:00 p.m., Gladstone House
Hosted by Guillaume Moffet
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Mirror Ball
With Nia Nadurata, Chirine, Divine Lightbody
7:00 p.m., The Burdock
Hosted by Adriel Smiley
Wednesday, May 7
Departure Honours
SOCAN receives Industry Achievement Award
With Tegan and Sara, City and Colour, Tia Wood, more
6:00 p.m., Hotel X, New Fort Hall
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Mirror Ball
With Evan Redsky, Sister Ray, Emily Schultz
7:00 p.m., The Burdock
Hosted by Kaitlyn Swan
Thursday, May 8
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Nashville North
With, Round 1: Haley McNeil, Stephen James Porter, Parker Graye
Round 2: Dayna Reid, Sully Burrows, Ryan Langdon
7:00 p.m., The Cameron House
Hosted by Patrick Bateman
Friday, May 9
SOCAN Presents: Cookin’ Beats
With Murda Beatz
3:30 p.m., Hotel X, Victory Ballroom
Hosted by Houtan Hodania, Creative Executive, SOCAN
Saturday, May 10
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Amped and Unplugged
With Housewife, Eric Brandon, lemin, Kyla Charter
1:00 p.m., The Rivoli
Hosted by Patrick Bateman
SOCAN Songwriters Series: The Breakout Circle
With Sam Drysdale, Noah Derksen, Leah Jane, Kaya Ko
3:00 p.m., Supermarket
Hosted by Guillaume Moffet
Sunday, May 11
SOCAN Songwriters Series: Producer Playback
With Hill Kourkoutis, Kayla Diamond, Derek Hoffman, Tompa
1:00 p.m., The Rivoli