Toronto songwriter Zale wins Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Breakthrough Award
Zale receives $7,500 and a customized career development plan from TikTok. He'll be honoured Sept. 26 at Massey Hall alongside legacy inductees including The Tragically Hip and Leslie Feist.
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Toronto songwriter Zale has been named the non-French language winner of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame's 2026 Breakthrough Songwriter Award, recognizing emerging songwriters whose work reflects the strength and diversity of Canadian songwriting.
Zale will receive $7,500 tied to a customized career development plan, along with global exposure and resources supported by TikTok. He'll be honoured during the induction ceremony on September 26 at Massey Hall, alongside legacy inductees The Tragically Hip, Leslie Feist, Roch Voisine, and Loverboy songwriters Mike Reno and Paul Dean.
Mentored by Boi-1da and Stephen Kozmeniuk, Zale Epstein has contributed to songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Childish Gambino and PARTYNEXTDOOR. His recent writing credits include work by The Beaches, Johnny Orlando, Nelly Furtado and Jessie Reyez. "Music found me early, and songwriting has been the one constant through every chapter of my life," Zale said in a statement. "I'm grateful to every artist, writer, and collaborator who's trusted me enough to walk into a room and make something from nothing together."
