The Polaris Music Prize, presented by CBC Music, has unveiled the 10 albums on the 2020 Short List.
The 2020 Polaris Music Prize Short List is:
Backxwash - God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
Caribou - Suddenly
Junia-T - Studio Monk
Kaytranada - Bubba
nêhiyawak - nipiy
Pantayo - Pantayo
Lido Pimienta - Miss Colombia
Jessie Reyez - Before Love Came To Kill Us
U.S. Girls - Heavy Light
Witch Prophet - DNA Activation
“Canadian music has a vast and vibrant spectrum. This year's Short List features a blend of exciting emerging voices and celebrated Polaris Prize winners. Now and forever, thank you to our jury for devoting their time and energy to crafting this list and continuing to champion the music of Canadian artists. I'd like to invite everyone to carve out some time to settle in with each of these very deserving albums. You'll be glad you did,” said Polaris jury foreperson Melissa Vincent.
The new nominees were revealed during a Polaris Prize Short List radio special which aired earlier today across Canada via CBC Music and the CBC Listen app. Hosted by CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, the special featured music from the Short List nominees as well as in-depth interviews with CBC personalities and Polaris jurors.
Polaris will be celebrating the Short List with a special cinematic tribute happening October 19 to be broadcast in Canada on the CBC Gem streaming service, CBC Music’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages and around the globe at CBCMusic.ca/Polaris. The 2020 Polaris-winning album will be revealed live at the end of this event.
The Polaris Music Prize awards $50,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year, judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration for genre or record sales. Additionally, the nine other nominated acts whose albums make the 2020 Short List will receive $3,000 each courtesy of Slaight Music.
Albums eligible for 2020 Polaris Music Prize consideration must be released between May 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020. An independent jury of music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers from across Canada determines the Long List and Short List. Eleven people from the larger jury pool are then chosen to serve on the Grand Jury. This Grand Jury will select the Polaris Music Prize winner.
The past winners are Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters.
About the Polaris Music Prize
The Polaris Music Prize is a not-for-profit organization that annually honours and rewards artists who produce Canadian music albums of distinction. A select panel of music critics judge and award the Prize without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About CBC Music
CBC Music connects Canadians with the very best in music. Available through the CBC Listen app, online, on radio and in television specials throughout the year, CBC Music privileges Canadian artists and songs. Offering 200 free music streams, CBC Music draws from all genres and classifications with knowledgeable hosts and programmers. Home to the JUNO Awards and your favourite music from across the country, discover the next great act with CBC Music. For more, visit www.cbcmusic.ca.
Media Contacts:
Polaris Music Prize media:
Amanda McCauley - Indoor Recess
(905) 926-6440
amanda@indoorrecess.com
Polaris Music Prize media (Quebec):
Magali Ould
(514) 994-6295
magali@polarismusicprize.ca
CBC
Teaghan Hawke
(416) 205-6863
teaghan.hawke@cbc.ca
Media assets (Polaris logos, album covers, bios, photos, streams):
polarismusicprize.ca/media
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