Few names have the same familiarity when discussing the musical greats of British Columbia or even Canada as Nelly Furtado. The singer, songwriter, and producer from Victoria has redefined what it means to be a Canadian artist on the international scene in addition to defining a period of pop and R&B music. Furtado has established herself as the genuine GOAT of  the BC music scene with a career spanning more than 20 years, unreal accolades, and a constantly evolving sound. 

Furtado made her debut in 2000 with “Whoa, Nelly!”, a catchy blend of pop, Latin music, and beautiful vocals that immediately made her known in the mainstream pop audience. She won a Grammy and became well-known throughout the world thanks to songs like “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light,” which demonstrated her special fusion of vulnerability and confidence. Furtado’s genuineness and genre-bending approach were refreshing in an era when  auto tuned sounds made music.

However, Nelly Furtado’s ability to reinvent herself without losing her artistic essence is what really makes her stand out as one of BC’s greatest. One of the most recognizable pop albums of the 2000s is her Timbaland produced album Loose from 2006. Not only did songs like “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” and “Say It Right” top the charts, but they also altered the sound of popular music. Long before genre-crossing became commonplace, Furtado boldly embraced experimentation by fusing global influences with urban beats. These classic songs are still listened to today as even “Promiscuous”, went viral on TikTok a few years ago seeing a resurgence in the charts. 

Furtado’s legacy is based on representation, authenticity, and artistic risk-taking, which go beyond the numbers and hits. She paved the way for diverse voices in Canadian music as a Portuguese-Canadian woman from Vancouver Island. She has also maintained her groundedness, frequently traveling back to British Columbia to play at local gatherings, coach up-and-coming musicians, and promote multiculturalism via her charitable work and music. Furtado’s influence is still felt in the thriving music scene of British Columbia, from Whoa, Nelly! to Loose and beyond. She not only represented the province but also made it visible on the map. Nelly Furtado is more than just a legend, to put it simply. She is B.C. music’s greatest of all time.