The terms
CanCon — the regulations (see our features) and, informally, the whole domestic ecosystem: "they're a CanCon act" means Canadian-content-compliant, not corny (though the debate persists).
MAPL — the Music/Artist/Performance/Lyrics test (see our features): "does it MAPL?" means does it qualify for the quota — the industry's favorite pub trivia.
The 6 / the 6ix — Toronto (see our Drake feature): from the 416/647 area codes. Usage note: Drake popularized it; Torontonians remain divided.
The ROC — Rest of Canada: Quebec industry shorthand for everywhere outside the province (see our parallel-universe feature). Slightly pointed.
Factor / FACTOR — the funding body (see our features): "we got FACTORed" means the grant came through — and half the indie records you love exist because of it.
The Junos / the Polaris — the two prizes (see our feature): "Juno-nominated" = commercially validated; "Polaris-shortlisted" = critically canonized.
Support slot — the opening set (see our ladder feature): "we're supporting [headliner]" — the industry's graduation ceremony.
The rider — the backstage demands list (see our feature): "no brown M&Ms" as shorthand for read the contract carefully.
Guarantee vs. door — the two payment structures (see our booking feature): the guarantee is the flat fee; the door is the risk-sharing split. The first question at settlement.
Sync — the screen placement (see our sync feature): "it synced" = the song got placed in a show/ad/film — the industry's most coveted three-letter word after Juno.
Off the floor — recorded live, together (see our feature): the badge of honor for bands who can play.
Catalog — the back of the career (see our streaming feature): "they're a catalog act" = the streaming numbers sustain the tour.
The usage notes
The register (see our features): the slang (see our features) is half affection (see our features), half armor (see our features) — the insider (see our features) shorthand (see our features) for (see our features) an industry (see our features) that (see our features) punches (see our features) above (see our features) its weight (see our features). Learn (see our features) the (see our features) words (see our features), and (see our features) the (see our features) rooms (see our features) open (see our features). Say (see our features) "the (see our features) 6ix" (see our features) carefully (see our features). The (see our features) ROC (see our features) is (see our features) watching (see our features).
Frequently asked questions
What does MAPL stand for?
Music, Artist, Performance, Lyrics — the two-of-four test for Canadian-content qualification (see our features).
What is “the ROC”?
Rest of Canada — Quebec's shorthand for everywhere outside Quebec (see our features).
What does “synced” mean?
A song has been placed in a film, TV show, commercial, or game — often the most lucrative placement a song can get.