This week, Cardi B is playing the first Canadian date on her world tour in support of her second studio album, Am I The Drama?, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. The New York rapper is playing Vancouver\u2019s Rogers Arena with a nearly sold-out crowd. With multiple No. 1s in the country, she\u2019s set to deliver a captivating performance topped with high-energy and back-to-back chart-topping moments. <\/p>\n
Additionally, Halifax\u2019s Ria Mae brings her confessional, catchy tunes to Winnipeg on an intimate string of shows, while Montreal electro-pop duo Milk & Bone plays a night in Toronto. Soulful singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith shines across Ontario and Quebec. <\/p>\n
Concert of the Week<\/p>\n
Cardi B, Rogers Arena, Vancouver \u2014 February 21<\/p>\n
Cardi B is bringing the drama to the west coast.<\/p>\n
Last year, the Bronx rapper released her highly anticipated sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, after seven years. Featuring her signature rap flow over a variety of beats \u2014 from street-level club hits<\/a> to experimental pop and R&B crossover tracks \u2014 the project peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. <\/p>\n Now she\u2019s continuing her comeback in a major way, with her first-ever arena-headline trek and first significant tour in six years \u2014 even if it sets her back a couple of million dollars<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cI know I\u2019m a good performer,\u201d Cardi told Billboard<\/a>. \u201cWell, am I? No, I\u2019m great. I\u2019m actually really great because I was a stripper. But no, I think my personal tour is not going to be like any other performances that I\u2019ve ever had. From the aesthetics to the look to even the way I perform, I\u2019m going to be doing things that I don\u2019t normally do, like work out, because I want to be the best.\u201d <\/p>\n Last month, the \u201cWAP\u201d hitmaker took to Instagram, sharing a clip<\/a> of some choreography with back-up dancers in the studio. She appeared to be happy with the results, writing: \u201cI ain\u2019t do so bad first day of rehearsal\u2026.I\u2019m finding the pocket,\u201d leaning into her confidence instead of the pressure to deliver. Yet, during one of the first shows on her global trek, Cardi took a tumble on-stage<\/a> in Las Vegas, but played it off like a pro. <\/p>\n While the rapper\u2019s chart-topping debut, Invasion of Privacy, didn\u2019t receive a tour, fans of Cardi B can officially treat themselves to hearing both of her top 10 charting albums live. In March, she\u2019ll head over to Ontario, tackling two shows at Toronto\u2019s Scotiabank Arena and Hamilton\u2019s newly opened TD Coliseum<\/a>. <\/p>\n Tickets are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n More Canadian Concerts of the Week <\/p>\n Ria Mae, Sidestage, Winnipeg \u2014 February 19<\/p>\n Kicking off a small run of shows, Halifax\u2019s Ria Mae is taking the stage in Winnipeg to play a sold-out show. With her signature blend of confessional lyrics and catchy hooks, Mae has crafted a fruitful discography that resonates with listeners. Last November, the platinum-certified artist released her album, Two, featuring \u201cThe Ring (Damn!),\u201d which hit the Billboard Canada Hot AC Airplay chart<\/a> \u2014 proving her ability to hit the airwaves over 10 years into her career. <\/p>\n Tickets are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Milk & Bone, The Garrison, Toronto \u2014 February 21<\/p>\n One of Montreal’s finest duos, Milk & Bone \u2014 a.k.a Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Camille Poliquin \u2014 are performing a set in Toronto. Exploring electronic textures and layered synths, the pair have created a sonic universe that feels unique in the electro-pop genre thanks to their perfectly paired vocals. As they ponder the darker aspects of love, friendship and lust, it\u2019s their tightly-knit bond that\u2019s essential to their live shows.<\/p>\n Tickets are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lauren Spencer Smith, House of Blues, Ottawa \u2014 February 22; MTELUS, Montreal \u2014 February 24; History, Toronto \u2014 February 25-26<\/p>\n Soulful Canadian singer Lauren Spencer Smith is known for her diaristic songwriting and modern pop sensibilities. While she amassed online fame with multiple TikTok viral hits \u2014 including charting singles \u201cFingers Crossed\u201d and \u201cFlower\u201d \u2014 Spencer Smith is bringing the emotional rollercoaster captured on her sophomore album, The Art of Being a Mess, to multiple sold-out crowds. Now\u2019s the time to see the B.C. native, before she joins Hilary Duff on her arena tour<\/a> next year. <\/p>\n