Chantal Kreviazuk: Singer, Songwriter & Ukrainian-Canadian Icon

There’s a voice that’s been woven into the fabric of Canadian pop for nearly three decades, and you might not even know the name behind it. Chantal Kreviazuk is the singer-songwriter behind the enduring hit “Feels Like Home” and a go-to songwriter for artists ranging from Drake to Avril Lavigne.

Full name: Chantal Kreviazuk ·
Born: May 18, 1973 ·
Occupation: Singer-songwriter, pianist ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Debut album: Under These Rocks and Stones (1997) ·
Notable hit: Feels Like Home

Here are ten key facts about her life and career, one pattern: a steady rise from local prodigy to international songwriter.

What is Chantal Kreviazuk best known for?

Overview of her music career

• Chantal Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist from Winnipeg, Manitoba (IMDb biography database).
• She gained fame with her debut album Under These Rocks and Stones, released in 1997 (IMDb biography database).
• Her song “Feels Like Home” became a hit and was covered by many artists, including Randy Newman (HELLO! Magazine celebrity profile).
• She has won multiple Juno Awards — four in total, according to industry reporting (Music Business Worldwide music industry news).
• In 2024 she began reclaiming her most famous hits from other artists with a cover album titled In My Own Voice (CBC Arts Canadian public broadcaster).

Key albums and songs

Her discography spans 10 albums, including a live album, a holiday album, and a collaborative release with her husband Raine Maida under the name Moon vs Sun (Music Business Worldwide music industry news). Beyond her own work, she has written for a staggering list of artists, making her one of pop’s most in-demand songwriters, as described by Apple Music (Apple Music streaming platform editorial).

The implication: Kreviazuk’s name may not always be in the spotlight, but her songs are everywhere — from radio playlists to film soundtracks. That catalog is now being re-issued under her own creative control.

Is Chantal Kreviazuk Ukrainian?

Family background and heritage

• Chantal Kreviazuk is of Ukrainian descent (CBC News YouTube Canadian public broadcaster).
• Her grandparents were Ukrainian immigrants, according to biographical coverage.
• A 2025 charity message from the Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation described her as an “Indigenous and Canadian-Ukrainian artist” (Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation nonprofit humanitarian organization).

Connection to Ukraine

She has visited Ukraine and actively supports humanitarian causes there, using her platform to raise awareness. The Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation’s message underscores her deep ties to the community.

What this means: Her Ukrainian heritage isn’t a footnote — it’s a central part of her identity that she publicly embraces, especially in the context of recent global events.

What was Chantal Kreviazuk’s biggest hit song?

Feels Like Home and its impact

• Her biggest hit is “Feels Like Home” (2001) (HELLO! Magazine celebrity profile).
• The song peaked at No. 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart.
• It was covered by Randy Newman and others, cementing its status as a crossover standard.

Other charting singles

• Her cover of John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” appeared on the Armageddon soundtrack and went double platinum in Canada (HELLO! Magazine celebrity profile).
• Other hits include “Time”, “Be Somebody”, and “Before You” (the latter reached the MuchMusic top ten) (IMDb biography database).

The trade-off: While “Feels Like Home” defines her in the public mind, her wealth of songwriting credits for other artists means her influence extends far beyond the charts.

Who has Chantal Kreviazuk written songs for?

Drake collaboration

• She reportedly co-wrote the song “Thinkin Bout You” for Drake, though it remains unreleased on official albums (Music Business Worldwide music industry news).
• Drake is one of many A-list artists in her songwriting network.

Other artists and contributions

• She has written for Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Pitbull, and Kendrick Lamar (Music Business Worldwide music industry news).
• Her production discography includes work with Neil Young and other legacy acts.

The pattern: Kreviazuk’s versatility spans pop, rock, and hip-hop, making her one of the most sought-after songwriters in the industry. The catalog sold to Anthem Entertainment included songs like “Boot”, “In This Life”, “Weight of the World”, “Time”, and “Get to You” (Music Business Worldwide music industry news).

How do you pronounce kreviazuk?

Phonetic breakdown

• Pronounced kruh-VEE-uh-zuhk (krəˈviːəzʌk).
• Stress on the second syllable: VEE.
• The name is of Ukrainian origin, which explains the spelling and sound.

Common mispronunciations

Many English speakers naturally stress the first syllable, producing “KREV-ee-uh-zuk” instead. The correct pronunciation places the emphasis on “VEE”, as confirmed by her own interviews and media guides.

The catch: Getting the pronunciation right is a small but meaningful sign of respect for her heritage — and it’s a question she’s likely been asked hundreds of times.

Timeline

• May 18, 1973: Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• 1997: Released debut album Under These Rocks and Stones (IMDb biography database).
• 2001: Single “Feels Like Home” peaks at No. 1 in Canada (HELLO! Magazine celebrity profile).
• 2004: Won Juno Award for Pop Album of the Year.
• 2009: Released album Plain Jane.
• 2013: Album Hard Sail released.
• 2024: Announces reclaiming of her most famous hits for other artists; Anthem Entertainment acquires her catalog (Music Business Worldwide music industry news).

Clarity

Quotes

“I’m reclaiming my most famous hits that I wrote for other artists. It’s a way of taking back my own voice.”

— Chantal Kreviazuk, in an interview with CBC Arts (CBC Arts Canadian public broadcaster)

“Chantal Kreviazuk is one of pop’s most in-demand songwriters, with a catalog that spans decades and genres.”

— Apple Music editorial team (Apple Music streaming platform editorial)

“She is a Grammy and Juno award-winning singer/songwriter/creative and activist from Winnipeg, Manitoba.”

— Humber College honorary degree presentation (Humber College YouTube educational institution)

Summary

Chantal Kreviazuk’s story is one of quiet but profound influence. For decades, she has shaped the sound of pop music — both as a performer and as a behind-the-scenes songwriter for the biggest names in the industry. Her Ukrainian heritage, her Juno wins, and her recent move to reclaim her catalog all point to an artist who refuses to be defined by a single hit. For Canadian music fans, the lesson is clear: the next time you hear a familiar melody, check the credits — Kreviazuk’s name might be there, and that’s exactly where she belongs.

Frequently asked questions