TORONTO — Nothing was holding Shawn Mendes back from making history at this year's SOCAN Awards.
The Pickering, Ont.-raised pop star took home five trophies during the delayed celebration of Canadian songwriters and composers, held for the first time online.
Organizers say that makes the singer-songwriter the most-awarded creator in a single year at the SOCAN Awards, which launched in 1990.
Mendes picked up the international song award as well as two pop music prizes for his hits "Senorita" and "If I Can't Have You."
He rounded out his wins with a songwriter of the year nod in the performer category, as well as the International Achievement Award.
Other winners this year included Toronto-raised Frank Dukes, who nabbed a songwriter of the year award for producer, which recognized his work on "Sucker" by the Jonas Brothers and "Wow" by Post Malone.
Ali Gatie received the viral song award for his track "It's You," and the breakout award went to Oz, a producer who's worked with Drake, Tory Lanez, Future and Meek Mill.
The SOCAN Awards, originally set for March 30, were delayed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers decided to shift the unveiling of the winners to a virtual event that takes place throughout the week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published September 22, 2020
David Friend, The Canadian Press
