
2022 Polaris Music Prize winner awarded at a Gala is Pierre Kwenders for his album: José Louis & the Paradox Of Love! This Prize is presented to the best Canadian Music album of the year based on artistic merit without regard to label affiliation, sales history or to genre. It is determine by a grand jury of eleven Canadian music professionals (writers, editors, broadcasters, DJs and personalities). This is the 1st Polaris Music Prize won by Kwenders.
Kwenders won $50,000 courtesy of Slaight Music and a global music promotion distribution package for one release (single or album) worth up to $3,025. The nine Short List nominees won $3,000 each courtesy of Slaight Music and Play MPE donated each of the Short List artists with a distribution package worth $1,000 each.

Cadence Weapon announced the Polaris Music Prize 2022 at a stunning Gala at the elegant Carlu in Toronto, Ontario. The Gala was beautifully decorated and featured eye popping performance from Pierre Kwenders, Cadence Weapon as well as from Short List nominees, Kelly McMichael, Lisa Leblanc, Ouri, Shad, Hubert Lenoir, Ombiigizi, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and Charlotte Day Wilson, and Fresh.





This prize is supported by FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters and Ontario Creates.
The 2022 Polaris Short List is:
Destroyer – LABYRINTHITIS
Pierre Kwenders – José Louis And The Paradox Of Love
Lisa Leblanc – Chiac Disco
Hubert Lenoir – PICTURA DE IPSE : Musique directe
Kelly McMichael – Waves
Ombiigizi – Sewn Back Together
Ouri – Frame of a Fauna
Shad – TAO
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Life After
Charlotte Day Wilson – ALPHA
About The Polaris Music Prize:
This music award is given based on merit not based on sales. An eleven person jury of music journalists and broadcasters was chosen from the larger, nationwide pool of nearly 200 Polaris jurors. This year also marked the third year of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize, which celebrates albums released before the Polaris got its start a decade ago, with shortlists selected by a jury and winners voted on by the public.
For more information: Polaris Music Prize.
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