Toronto, ON — The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) and Amazon Music are pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Breakthrough Songwriter Award, Aaron Paris (Anglophone Winner) and Fredz (Francophone Winner), who are being recognized for their outstanding songwriting achievements as emerging songwriting stars.
Aaron Paris is a 3x Grammy-nominated producer, composer, and artist from Toronto, Canada. Having worked with major artists including Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Drake, DJ Khaled, Russ, Kali Uchis, Roddy Ricch, NAV, Russ, Blxst, and more, Paris has built a strong international reputation as a musical composer and collaborator. As a multi-instrumentalist and string arranger, he is dedicated to bringing the “new classical” sound into the modern music industry. He founded the group “Strings From Paris”, a collective of string players which aims to bridge classical and modern worlds and educate the next generation. Their videos have gained millions of views on Instagram and TikTok.
“I feel extremely honoured to even be a part of this award. I think it’s amazing that songwriters and producers are getting more and more recognition from the industry. A lot of people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, and a lot of the time the writers and producers, especially the smaller ones, are given the short end of the stick,” said Aaron Paris. “I’m hopeful this is another step towards a future where producers and songwriters are treated fairly and can make a living off their art.”
Fredz, a young 22-year-old Quebec artist, stands out with his polymorphic approach to music. Refusing to be confined to a style or a format, he combines introspection and creativity, creating compositions that are both profound and accessible. Inspired by artists such as Orelsan and Stromae, Fredz develops a suave rap, far from clichés, and shares his vision of the world with a disarming authenticity. Working in his home studio Fredz mixes top lines and improvises, resulting in sensitive and creative lyrics, while remaining connected to his audience, particularly via his social networks where he finds a faithful echo.
“I am truly touched by this award, and deeply grateful to those who believe in me and support my work. It means the world to me. Thank you so much,” said Fredz.
Established in 2017, the Breakthrough Songwriter Award has bestowed the honour to songwriters who have gone on to have successful award-winning careers, including Eli Brown, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Mustafa, Ariane Roy, Lowell, Les Louanges, Jessie Reyez and Charlotte Cardin.
In addition to receiving a customized development plan by Amazon Music, which will include playlisting, high-profile songwriting sessions and camps, travel support, and access to international recording studio, Aaron Paris and Fredz will be recognized at the 2024 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 28, 2024 at the iconic Massey Hall in Toronto.
“This year’s Breakthrough Songwriter Award winners showcase the incredible talent and diversity within Canadian songwriting and are a testament to the richness of our musical landscape. Congratulations to Aaron Paris and Fredz on this well-earned achievement!” said Nick Fedor, Executive Director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Songwriters are the architects of the music we love, and it’s crucial that we nurture their growth to ensure Canadian songwriting excellence thrives for years to come. Thank you to our partners at Amazon Music for sharing this vision and helping us support and recognize the next generation of songwriting talent.”
“Amazon Music is delighted to partner with the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame to celebrate and support the next generation of songwriters,” said Tom Winkler, head of publisher, songwriter, and society relations at Amazon Music. “We look forward to providing opportunities for Aaron Paris and Fredz to advance their craft and expand their network of songwriting collaborators globally.”
The CSHF and Amazon Music would also like to acknowledge this year’s Breakthrough Songwriter Award finalists: Anglophone – Ali Willa Milner, Banx & Ranx, Sarcastic Sounds, & Sebastian Gaskin. Francophone – Jay Scøtt, P’tit Belliveau, Soleil Launière, Thierry Larose & Waahli.
This year, 26 outstanding candidates were nominated for the Breakthrough Songwriter Award by two juries of esteemed music industry experts – one Anglophone and one Francophone. One winner in each category was determined after two rounds of voting. For more information on the Award please visit cshf.ca/songwriter-award/.
ABOUT CANADIAN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is a national and non-profit organization that is dedicated to honouring and celebrating Canadian songwriters and those who’ve dedicated their lives to the legacy of music. The CSHF also works to educate the public about these achievements, and to foster the next generation of songwriters through year-round initiatives and events. In December of 2011, SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) acquired the CSHF; and the Hall of Fame continues to be run as a separate organization, guided by its own Board of Directors, comprised of both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. The CSHF’s mandate aligns with SOCAN’s objectives as a songwriter and publisher membership-based organization. www.cshf.ca
ABOUT AMAZON MUSIC Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalized playlists, artist live streams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to millions of songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalog of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to millions of songs in HD and a growing catalog of Ultra HD and Spatial audio. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at www.amazonmusic.com.
English Media Contacts: Samantha Pickard President Strut Entertainment samantha@strutentertainment.com
Adam Gonshor Collabo PR adam@collabopr.com
French Media Contact: Simon Fauteux Six Media simon@sixmedia.ca
