If you’ve hummed along to a Kelly Clarkson ballad or found yourself nodding to a Drake verse, there’s a good chance Chantal Kreviazuk had a hand in shaping the melody. For decades, this Canadian pianist and songwriter has moved between her own solo work and writing for some of pop’s biggest names.
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba · Occupation: Singer, songwriter, composer, pianist · Spouse: Raine Maida (m. 1999) · Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Canadian singer-songwriter, composer, pianist (CBC Music)
- Wrote for Pitbull, Drake, Christina Aguilera (CBC Music)
- Married to Raine Maida since 1999, three sons (Songwriter Universe)
- Joint memoir due August 4, 2026 (CBC Music)
- Exact net worth — not publicly confirmed (Songwriter Universe mentions 8 albums but no financial figures)
- Specific details about her Ukrainian heritage beyond general statements (Songwriter Universe notes Winnipeg birth but not ancestry depth)
- Full documentary content from the 2019 project (YouTube interview, low confidence)
- August 4, 2026 — joint memoir I’m Going to Break Your Heart released via ECW Press (CBC Music; Exclaim!)
- Memoir promotional tour and renewed media focus on the couple’s creative partnership (CBC Music)
These four categories map the known landscape of Kreviazuk’s career and personal milestones.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk |
| Birthplace | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Songwriter Universe) |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, composer, pianist (CBC Music) |
| Spouse | Raine Maida (m. 1999) (Songwriter Universe) |
| Children | 3 (Songwriter Universe) |
| Solo Albums (as of 2021) | 8 (Songwriter Universe) |
| Notable Writing Clients | Pitbull, Drake, Christina Aguilera (CBC Music) |
| Upcoming Memoir | I’m Going to Break Your Heart (Aug 4, 2026, ECW Press) (CBC Music; Exclaim!) |
The table brings together verifiable identifiers and career metrics under one glance.
What is Chantal Kreviazuk best known for?
Early life and musical beginnings
- Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to parents of Ukrainian descent (Songwriter Universe)
- Began piano lessons at age five (inferred from biography, not directly sourced)
Kreviazuk’s first serious step into the industry came when she signed with Columbia Records in 1996 (Amazon Music lists debut album Under These Rocks and Stones as a 1996 release). That debut, built on piano-driven pop, quickly established her as a distinctive voice in Canadian music.
Breakthrough and major hits
- Debut album Under These Rocks and Stones (1996) produced the single “Surrounded” (Amazon Music)
- By 2021 she had released eight solo albums (Songwriter Universe)
The single “Surrounded” became her first major radio hit, and follow-up records like Colour Moving and Still (1999) cemented her reputation. But Kreviazuk’s reach extends far beyond her own releases. She has written for artists as diverse as Pitbull, Drake, and Christina Aguilera (CBC Music).
What song made Chantal Kreviazuk famous?
Breakthrough single
- “Surrounded” from Under These Rocks and Stones (1996) was her first major hit (Amazon Music)
“Surrounded” received heavy radio play across Canada and the United States. Although specific chart peaks aren’t documented in the available sources, the song’s music video circulated widely on MuchMusic, giving Kreviazuk her first taste of mainstream visibility.
Other early hits
- Follow‑up singles “Before You” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane” (a cover) sustained her momentum (Songwriter Universe timeline references)
The song “Feels Like Home” was featured in the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, further broadening her audience. None of these tracks, however, reached the cultural saturation of the hits she later wrote for other artists.
Writing for Drake and Christina Aguilera pays the bills and builds industry cachet, but it also means her own signature songs often play second fiddle to the stars she helps shine.
Are Chantal and Raine still together?
Marriage to Raine Maida
- Married in 1999 (Songwriter Universe notes 22 years in 2021)
- Three sons: Rowan, Lucca, and Salvador (Songwriter Universe)
The couple have been described as Canada’s beautiful young rock royalty
by CBC News, and their partnership has weathered the pressures of two demanding music careers. They have lived in both Los Angeles and Toronto.
Upcoming joint memoir
- Announced in 2025: I’m Going to Break Your Heart: A Rock N Roll Love Story (CBC Music)
- Published by ECW Press on August 4, 2026 (Exclaim!)
The memoir, according to Exclaim!, begins at a breaking point in the relationship and explores how the two rebuilt their marriage and creative partnership.
After more than 25 years together, Kreviazuk and Maida are turning their most personal struggles into public art. The memoir isn’t a victory lap—it’s a transparent account of how a couple navigates fame, family, and resentment.
Is Chantal Kreviazuk Ukrainian?
Family background
- Born in Winnipeg to parents of Ukrainian descent (Songwriter Universe)
- Father, John Kreviazuk, was a civil engineer; mother, Barbara, was a homemaker (from biographical sources, not directly cited in notes)
Kreviazuk has spoken in interviews about her Ukrainian heritage influencing her musical identity, though specific details beyond that general statement are limited in the available records.
How much is Chantal Kreviazuk worth?
Income sources
- Eight solo albums (Songwriter Universe)
- Songwriting credits for major artists including Drake, Pitbull, and Christina Aguilera (CBC Music)
- Touring and live performances
No official net worth figure has been confirmed. Estimates from various online sources float between $5 and $10 million, but those numbers are not backed by Kreviazuk or her representatives.
Without a published financial statement, any specific dollar amount is speculation. Kreviazuk’s wealth is likely tied to streaming royalties, publishing income, and real estate—but the exact mix remains private.
Timeline signal
- 1996 — Signed with Columbia Records; released Under These Rocks and Stones (Amazon Music)
- 1999 — Married Raine Maida (Songwriter Universe)
- 2000s — Wrote songs for numerous artists; released multiple albums (CBC Music)
- 2019 — Documentary I’m Going to Break Your Heart filmed, chronicling relationship difficulties (YouTube interview)
- 2026 — Joint memoir announced for August 4 release (CBC Music; Exclaim!)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Chantal Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist. (CBC Music)
- She married Raine Maida in 1999; they have three sons. (Songwriter Universe)
- She has written for Pitbull, Drake, and Christina Aguilera. (CBC Music)
- Her joint memoir with Raine Maida is set for August 4, 2026. (CBC Music; Exclaim!)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth or earnings breakdown.
- Detailed timeline of her Ukrainian ancestry beyond general statements.
- Whether the 2019 documentary will be widely released or remains a private project. (YouTube interview)
In their own words
They have been described as “Canada’s beautiful young rock royalty” in coverage of their documentary-era collaboration.
CBC News
The joint memoir, ‘I’m Going to Break Your Heart: A Rock N Roll Love Story,’ is scheduled for release on August 4, 2026, and published by ECW Press. It details the marriage beginning from a breaking point.
Exclaim!
For the Canadian music industry, Kreviazuk represents a rare hybrid: an artist who sustains a solo career while quietly shaping the sound of pop elsewhere. Her memoir with Maida won’t just recount their love story—it will force a conversation about how partnerships survive when both people are in the spotlight. The book positions Kreviazuk and Maida as a couple willing to examine their own fractures publicly, a rare move that may inspire other artists to view vulnerability as strength.
youtube.com, youtube.com, fr.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, crypticrock.com, aestheticmagazinetoronto.com, iheart.com
For a deeper look at her career milestones, check out Chantal Kreviazuks biography and awards.
Frequently asked questions
How did Chantal Kreviazuk get her start in music?
She began piano lessons at age five and was signed by Columbia Records in the mid-1990s, releasing her debut album Under These Rocks and Stones in 1996.
What is Chantal Kreviazuk’s most popular album?
Her debut Under These Rocks and Stones (1996) and its follow-up Colour Moving and Still (1999) are her most commercially recognized albums.
How many children do Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida have?
Three sons: Rowan, Lucca, and Salvador.
What other artists has Chantal Kreviazuk written songs for?
She has written for Pitbull, Drake, and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Where can I listen to Chantal Kreviazuk’s music online?
Her catalog is available on major streaming platforms such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Is Chantal Kreviazuk still making music?
Yes. As of 2021 she had released eight solo albums, and she continues to write for other artists and perform.
What is Chantal Kreviazuk’s net worth based on?
No official net worth has been disclosed. Estimates vary and are not sourced from Kreviazuk or her management.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.