The Maritime Sikh Society says the body of a young employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax last weekend was found by her mother.
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
Four people are dead and another is in hospital after a Tesla driving through downtown Toronto at a high rate of speed crashed into a guardrail and struck a concrete pillar on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Prosecutor recommends parole for Menendez brothers in 1989 murder of parents
A Los Angeles prosecutor said on Thursday he would ask a judge to release Erik and Lyle Menendez on parole after nearly 35 years in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents, as new evidence emerged indicating they were sexually abused by their father for years.
Former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model says Trump groped her to show off for Jeffrey Epstein
A former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model鈥痠s alleging鈥痶hat former President Donald Trump groped her in the 1990s, in what she believes was an attempt to show off for Jeffrey鈥疎pstein.
'Never said I was going to close the door on politics forever': Christy Clark on interest in federal leadership run
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces growing pressure from within his own caucus to step aside, former B.C. premier Christy Clark says she is open to returning to politics.
Montreal police say four teenagers suffered stab wounds after an altercation near John F. Kennedy High School in the city's Villeray鈥擲aint-Michel鈥擯arc-Extension borough on Thursday.
More straight couples are calling each other partner. Here's why
Within a year of dating, 31-year-old Siara Rouzer crossed a major relationship milestone. The guy she was seeing was no longer a boyfriend but her partner.
Trudeau announces massive drop in immigration targets as Liberals make major pivot
The federal government is slashing immigration targets to levels that will flatten population growth as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits the government did not get the balance right after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ottawa Police Service has identified the woman who was stabbed to death at Paul Landry Park on Uplands Drive Thursday morning.
Local Spotlight
A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.
Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.