{"id":80004,"date":"2022-09-20T13:37:58","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T17:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=80004"},"modified":"2022-09-20T13:37:58","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T17:37:58","slug":"scoop-pierre-kwenders-wins-2022-polaris-music-prize-jose-louis-paradox-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2022\/09\/20\/scoop-pierre-kwenders-wins-2022-polaris-music-prize-jose-louis-paradox-love\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Pierre Kwenders Wins 2022 Polaris Music Prize For \u2018Jos\u00e9 Louis And The Paradox Of Love\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pierre
Pierre Kwenders (Photo: Kim Yang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 17th edition of the Polaris Music Prize has been awarded to Pierre Kwenders for his album Jos\u00e9 Louis And The Paradox Of Love<\/em>. It is his first Polaris Music Prize win.<\/p>\n

Kwenders received the award at a gala event in Toronto on September 19. His name was revealed by Polaris 2021 winner Cadence Weapon. He called out his heritage in his acceptance speech<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is crazy, I don\u2019t even know what to think. This is for all the kids from the diaspora, the African diaspora, moving in Canada. Sometimes you feel like you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re running into, or what you\u2019re coming into. But there is hope, there is a place to live and dream and be yourself. This album, especially, is about being yourself and telling your own story. Jos\u00e9 Louis And The Paradox Of Love<\/em> is there for you, you know, if you feel you can connect, connect! Let\u2019s talk! Let\u2019s have fun! Let\u2019s be ourselves! Let\u2019s love each other, while we are alive. Bisou!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Polaris Music Prize is awarded by a Grand Jury of 11 music professionals from across the country. It is given to a release based solely on artistic merit, without looking at sales, label or genre. Previous Polaris winners include Jeremy Dutcher and Lido Pimienta.<\/p>\n

Kwender\u2019s prize includes $50,000<\/strong>, along with a worldwide distributions package for one release (either a single or album) that\u2019s worth up to $3,025<\/strong> CAD.<\/p>\n

Pierre Kwenders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pierre Kwenders is also known as Jos\u00e9 Louis Modabi. Born in Kinshasa, the Congolese-Canadian artist makes his home in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n

After emigrating to Canada as a teenager, he soon began making his mark on the music scene. A guest appearance on a 2012 album got media and fan attention, leading to the release of two of his own EPs in 2013. His first full-length album, Le Dernier empereur bantou<\/em> was shortlisted for the 2015 Juno for World Music Album of the Year. He was longlisted for the Polaris the same year. His 2017 release Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time<\/em> was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris. It\u2019s only a few of the many accolades and recognition that he\u2019s received as a musician and songwriter.<\/p>\n

Kwenders sings and raps in French, English, Lingala, and Tshiluba, and likewise blends elements of Central African and Western pop into his music. His winning album, Jos\u00e9 Louis and the Paradox of Love, is as much about personal as musical growth, and demonstrates his songwriting skill.<\/p>\n

He’ll be on tour with his new album from Montreal to Victoria into February, kicking off in New York City in December.<\/p>\n