Pierre Kwenders wins Polaris Music Prize for 'Jose Louis and the Paradox Of Love'
Pierre Kwenders has won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his album "Jose Louis and the Paradox Of Love."
The Congolese-Canadian's third album, which blends the dancefloor energy of Congolese rumba, R&B and pop, was selected by an 11-member grand jury as best Canadian album of the year based on its artistic merit.
At the ceremony in Toronto on Monday night, Kwenders beat nine other contenders for the $50,000 prize, including rapper Shad, Vancouver rock band Destroyer, Quebec pop provocateur Hubert Lenoir and Rosaireville, N.B.-raised Lisa LeBlanc.
Kwenders accepted the honour after dropping to his knees on the stage, which he later explained was out of nervousness.
"This means a lot to me, and a lot of people that have been around me, and helped me to be the man that I am today," he said.
He went on to explain that over the past couple of months he's lost several people close to him, including cousins and most recently his godfather.
"I felt a little bit like (in) life something was going wrong," he said. "But then I remembered the reason why I do what I do... to tell the story of the people that inspired me."
Kwenders was born Jose Louis Modabi, in Kinshasa, Congo, and immigrated to Canada in 2001. His stage name is drawn from his late grandfather, a local businessman and community leader.
"Jose Louis and the Paradox Of Love" was recorded over four years and Kwenders describes it as a reflection on romantic love, family and personal growth sung in English, French, Lingala, Tshiluba, and Kikongo. It features musical collaborators King Britt, Michael Brun and Arcade Fire`s Win Butler and Regine Chassagne.
In a press conference after his win, he considered how he'd spend the $50,000 prize.
"The first thing I'm doing with the money is giving my mom the per cent that she deserves," he said.
"(She's) a single mom, she made a lot of sacrifices. She didn't believe that I could do it in music but still trusted that I got the guts to do it. She's still out there supporting me."
"Ten or 20 per cent goes first to my mom. And then the rest? We'll figure it out," he added.
Kwenders has been celebrated by the Polaris jury in the past. He previously landed a spot on the 2018 shortlist with his album "Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time."
The Polaris Music Prize is considered one of the country's most prestigious music awards with past winners that include Haviah Mighty, Jeremy Dutcher and Kaytranada.
Attended by Canadian talent and industry players, the evening proved to be a lengthy celebration that stretched on for more than four hours as each nominee took the stage to perform, many of them playing at least two of their songs.
Last year's winner Cadence Weapon opened the show with a performance of "On Me" and "Senna," two tracks from his Polaris-winning album "Parallel World."
He was followed by this year's nominees, including Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson and Haisla Nation hip-hop act Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
Kwenders said being among the multi-genre "melting pot" of his fellow nominees felt right and was "a good representation of Canada."
"I don't like to put myself into any kind of boxes," he said. "But finding myself in this box, I kind of feel like it's the right box."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.