Cadence Weapon wins Polaris Music Prize for 'Parallel World'
Cadence Weapon has won the 2021 Polaris Music Prize for his album "Parallel World."
The Edmonton-raised rapper's full-length record -- which fuses hip-hop, electronic and grime music into a reflection on social injustice -- was selected by an 11-member grand jury as the best Canadian album of the year, based on its artistic merit.
The recognition comes with a $50,000 prize and heightened awareness for the artist who's been part of Canada's music industry for well over a decade but is still widely considered underground.
"I can't believe this is happening, I feel amazing," he said by webcam on Monday as he accepted the honour from his home.
The 35-year-old musician's win comes after two of his previous albums were Polaris shortlisted, 2006's "Breaking Kayfabe" and 2012's "Hope in Dirt City," but didn't take home the prize.
"Parallel World," his fifth album, was already a darling of music critics who applauded how its 10 songs that play out over a brisk 26-minutes left a lasting impact. Some credited the record with capturing a uniquely Toronto perspective on the Black experience in Canada that grapples with gentrification, technology and history.
"I definitely made music with a journalistic lens," he said, acknowledging much of the album's inspiration came from watching the George Floyd protests last year.
Cadence Weapon, born Rollie Pemberton, moved to Toronto in 2015 after spending many of his formative years in Montreal. But before that, he was already on the radar of Canada's arts scene, named Edmonton's poet laureate for two years in 2009.
His familial ties to Edmonton run deep. His late father, Teddy, was a hip-hop DJ on campus radio while his grandfather, Rollie Miles, spent 11 years playing for Edmonton's CFL team.
While accepting the Polaris award, Pemberton laid out early plans to use some of his "resources" to organize voter registration events around the Toronto municipal and Ontario provincial elections.
"We need some changes to our leadership and we need to make things more equitable for people in the city to be able to vote," he said, calling on other interested musicians to join him in his quest.
In a news conference after the award announcement, he told reporters that he also plans to use a portion of the prize money to help some Toronto crowdfunding campaigns cross their goal, including one for the Little Jamaica community, which is being impacted by construction of a light-rail transit line nearing completion in the area.
Pemberton also reflected on the political landscape of the nation a week after polls closed for the snap federal election.
"I also just want to take this time to mention that Justin Trudeau has worn blackface so many times he can't even remember how many times, and he was just given a third term," he said in his Polaris acceptance speech.
"And that's exactly why I need to be making rap records that are political, that are about these subjects because that's still a fact today."
The Polaris Music Prize awards the artist or group that created the standout Canadian album of the previous year -- irrespective of genre or sales -- as chosen by a team of journalists, broadcasters and bloggers.
It is considered one of the country's most prestigious music awards. Former winners include Backxwash, Haviah Mighty, Jeremy Dutcher and Kaytranada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2021
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.