Pierre Kwenders Wins 2022 Polaris Music Prize for Best Canadian Album
Written by SOURCE on September 20, 2022
Pierre Kwenders has won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his album José Louis and the Paradox of Love.
The award is presented annually to the best Canadian album, as voted upon by a jury of music journalists and broadcasters.
2021 winner Cadence Weapon presented the award to Kwenders at the Polaris Gala on Monday at The Carlu. It was the first in-person gala after two years of virtual presentation due to the pandemic.
Kwenders dedicated the win to his late cousin who helped raise him. He also paid tribute to another late cousin and his late godfather. “The reason why I tell the stories that I do, is to tell the stories of the people that inspire me,” he said.
The winner of the Polaris Prize receives $50,000. The nine other nominated acts receive $3,000 each. The winner also receives a global music promotion distribution package for one release worth up to $3,025. Past winners include Backxwash (2020), Kaytranada (2016) and Haviah Mighty (2019).
