Pierre Kwenders

Pierre Kwenders
Background information
Birth nameJosé Louis Modabi
Born (1985-10-31) October 31, 1985 (age 39)
OriginKinshasa, Zaire
Genrespop music
world music
Years active2012 (2012)–present
Websitewww.pierrekwenders.com

Pierre Kwenders is the stage name of José Louis Modabi[1] (born October 31, 1985, in Kinshasa, Zaire), a Congolese-Canadian musician.[2] His 2014 album Le Dernier empereur bantou was a shortlisted nominee for the Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2015,[2] and a longlisted nominee for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.[3] Kwenders, who sings and raps in English, French, Lingala and Tshiluba,[1] is noted for blending both African music and western pop music influences, including hip hop and electronic music, into his style.[1]

Career

After immigrating to Canada with his mother as a teenager, he first attracted widespread attention for his guest contributions to Radio Radio's 2012 album Havre de Grace.[4]

He released the EPs Whiskey & Tea and African Dream in 2013,[4] and followed up with Le Dernier empereur bantou, his first full-length album, in 2014.[1] He supported the album with a cross-Canada tour in 2015.[2] His song "Mardi Gras", a collaboration with Jacques Alphonse "Jacobus" Doucet of Radio Radio, was a shortlisted nominee for the 2015 SOCAN Songwriting Prize in the francophone division.[5]

He collaborated with Boogat on "Londres", a track on Boogat's 2015 album Neo-Reconquista.[6]

His second full-length album, Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time, was released in 2017.[7] The album was a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.[8]

In 2018, he had his first acting role in the film Les Salopes, or the Naturally Wanton Pleasure of Skin.

Following the release of Makanda, Kwenders came out as gay.[9]

He won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his album José Louis and the Paradox of Love.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Pierre Kwenders sing-raps in 4 languages" Archived 2019-06-13 at the Wayback Machine. Montreal Gazette, October 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Pierre Kwenders Rolls Out Canadian Tour Dates, Poirier Remix". Exclaim!, February 4, 2015.
  3. ^ "Polaris Music Prize Announces 2015 Long List". Exclaim!, June 16, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Quand les styles se mélangent". 24 heures, October 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "Cold Specks, Alvvays, Kiesza Nominated for SOCAN Songwriting Prize". Exclaim!, June 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Boogat: Neo-Reconquista". Exclaim!, May 5, 2015.
  7. ^ "Pierre Kwenders is building a musical bridge between Africa and the rest of the world". Q, September 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2018 Short List". Exclaim!, July 17, 2018.
  9. ^ Logan Cartier, "Pierre Kwenders et les subtilités de l’amour". Fugues, July 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "Pierre Kwenders wins 2022 Polaris Music Prize". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-20.