Ten artists have been shortlisted for the 2019 Polaris Prize, representing one of the most diverse selections in the prize’s 13-year history and an even split between male and female artists. Genres range from rap to electronic, noise rock to R&B. Haisla rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids are the only act that isn’t from either Quebec or Ontario.
Modelled after the Mercury Prize in the U.K., the Polaris Prize is an annual award given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales or record label.
The prize is $50,000 with the second and third place winners receiving $3,000 and $2,000. Polaris Prize officials also award the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize honouring albums from four distinct time periods — 1960-75, 1976-85, 1986-95 and 1996-05. Two albums per era, one chosen by the public and one by the jury of critics, are honoured as Heritage Prize-winners each year.
The 2019 Polaris Prize winners and runners up will be announced on Sept. 16 at the awards gala, which is streamed live on CBC Music and AUX TV.
Shortlisted for the 2019 Polaris Prize are:
(Editor's Note - some of the videos below feature adult language and themes)
Marie Davidson (Montreal), Working Class Woman
Elisapie (Salluit, Que.), The Ballad of the Runaway Girl
FET.NAT (Hull, Que.), Le Mal
Dominique Fils-Aimé (Montreal), Stay Tuned!
Les Louanges (Lévis, Que.), La nuit est une panthère
Haviah Mighty (Toronto), 13th Floor
PUP (Toronto), Morbid Stuff
Jessie Reyez (Toronto), Being Human In Public
Shad (London, Ont.), A Short Story About A War
Snotty Nose Rez Kids (Kitamaat Village, B.C.), Trapline
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