Emerging from Toronto's vibrant music scene at the turn of the millennium, Broken Social Scene established itself not merely as a band but as a sprawling, influential musical collective. Founded in 1999 by core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, the group became renowned for its expansive, orchestral indie rock sound and a rotating cast of musicians that could swell to nearly twenty members on stage. Their breakthrough album, 2002's "You Forgot It in People," catapulted them to international acclaim and cemented their status as architects of a distinctively Canadian artistic community.

The collective began as a studio project between Drew and Canning, resulting in the largely instrumental and ambient debut Feel Good Lost in 2001. The recruitment of drummer Justin Peroff and a host of other Toronto musicians transformed the project, leading to the creation of "You Forgot It in People." This album, produced by David Newfeld, masterfully blended grand orchestrations with intimate songcraft, featuring early contributions from future stars like vocalists Leslie Feist and Emily Haines. Its critical and commercial success became a defining moment for indie rock in the 2000s.

Capitalizing on this momentum, the collective solidified its large-scale live presence and released a self-titled album in 2005, which further showcased their chaotic, celebratory sound and included performances from Feist, Amy Millan of Stars, and Jason Collett. The interconnected nature of the Toronto scene meant members frequently balanced Broken Social Scene with their own successful projects, including Metric, Stars, and Feist's solo career. After a hiatus, they returned with Forgiveness Rock Record in 2010 and the Polaris Music Prize-shortlisted Hug of Thunder in 2017, the latter marking the return of Feist and Emily Haines to the fold.

Their story has been documented in Stuart Berman's book This Book Is Broken and the concert film This Movie Is Broken by director Bruce McDonald. In 2024, cinematographer Stephen Chung completed the documentary It's All Gonna Break, weaving together years of archival footage. Recognized by Pitchfork as one of the most important artists of the last quarter-century, Broken Social Scene's legacy lies in their ambitious sonic tapestry and their role as a creative hub that nurtured and amplified a generation of Canadian musical talent.