Black music in Canada: cultural power, economic impact, and systemic inequities

This study examines how Black music significantly shapes Canada’s cultural and economic landscape while illuminating systemic challenges that hinder Black music professionals. Guided by the Critical Ecological Model, we analyze individual, organizational, and societal factors shaping Black music in Canada and translate results into level-specific implications (Cukier et. al., Citation2013). A mixed-methods design integrated survey data from 1,702 respondents with market analyses, revealing that Black music routinely occupies over half of Canada’s top-streamed songs. Yet barriers – including limited funding, underrepresentation in leadership, and discrimination – undermine Black professionals’ career trajectories, creative output, and well-being. Intersectional factors particularly affect women, highlighting the need for targeted solutions. Overall, the research underscores the urgency of equitable policies, inclusive organizational practices, and anti-racist interventions to fully harness Black music’s contributions to Canada’s arts sector.