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Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Polaris Music Prize 2025 Short List Includes Albums by Mustafa, Nemahsis, Saya Gray & More
The Polaris Music Prize has unveiled the 10 albums on this year's short list. The list was voted on by a large pool of music critics, journalists and curators, to find the best Canadian album of the year based solely on artistic merit. The $30,000 winner will be chosen by an 11-member grand jury and revealed at the Polaris concert and award ceremony at Massey Hall on Sept. 16. That ceremony will also reveal the winner of the brand new SOCAN Polaris Song Prize as well as the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize winners. More from Billboard Hot 100 First-Timers: Mustafa Scores First Chart Hit With Metro Boomin Collab 'Walk Em Down' Billboard, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson & More Nominated for 2025 Daytime Emmys Rob Thomas Talks Moving Labels After 30 Years on Atlantic: 'Universal Saved the Day' Here is this year's short list: Bibi Club – Feu de garde [Performing] Lou-Adriane Cassidy – Journal d'un Loup-Garou [Performing] Marie Davidson – City Of Clowns [Performing] Saya Gray – SAYA [Performing] Yves Jarvis – All Cylinders [Performing] Mustafa – Dunya Nemahsis – Verbathim [Performing] The OBGMs – SORRY, IT'S OVER [Performing] Population II – Maintenant Jamais [Performing] Ribbon Skirt – Bite Down [Performing] Three previous shortlisters are nominated again: Marie Davidson (2019), Mustafa (2021) and The OBGMs (2021). Last year saw the first repeat winner, with Jeremy Dutcher winning for his album Motewolonuwok. All of the shortlisted artists except Mustafa are confirmed to perform, and former winner Haviah Mighty will host. Tickets are on sale now. Polaris is offering 15% off tickets with the code POLARIS15. This article was originally published by Billboard Canada. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hamilton Spectator
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Mustafa, Nemahsis shortlisted for Polaris Music Prize as cash reward drops in value
TORONTO - Contemporary folk-poet Mustafa, alt-pop singer Nemahsis and electronic experimentalist Marie Davidson are among the 10 acts shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, which carries a slimmed-down cash reward this year. Organizers say the best Canadian album winner will receive $30,000, down from $50,000, as various sponsors scale back financial contributions. Among this year's other shortlisted artists announced Thursday are an array of Quebec names, including singer-songwriter Lou-Adriane Cassidy, indie pop pair Bibi Club and psychedelic rockers Population II. Rounding out the contenders are Calgary-raised and Montreal-based Yves Jarvis, Anishinaabe-led Montreal duo Ribbon Skirt, Toronto punk outfit the OBGMs and soul-pop artist Saya Gray. The winner will be announced during a gala at Toronto's Massey Hall on Sept. 16, when the $10,000 Polaris Song Prize will also be handed out for the first time. The song prize recognizes the Canadian song of the year based on artistic merit, with the cash award to be shared by its Canadian performers and songwriters. A shortlist for the song contenders will be announced on July 29. The Polaris Music Prize short list was drawn from a selection of 40 albums announced last month. The winner will be chosen by an 11-person jury leading up to the gala. Rap artist Haviah Mighty, who won in 2019, will host the gala with performances confirmed by all of the shortlisted artists except Mustafa. The Polaris was established 20 years ago to honour the most significant albums of the year based on artistic merit, not sales or genre. The prize first carried a $20,000 purse that increased twice in the years that followed, reaching $50,000 in 2015. However, more recent changes have brought down the financial rewards for contenders. Two years ago, the organization ended the practice of awarding $3,000 to each of the shortlisted artists. Executive director Amber Still tied this year's smaller grand prize to broader financial constraints. 'Like many arts organizations, Polaris has experienced a decrease in sponsorship this season,' they said in a statement. Contributors to the Polaris prize include the Slaight Family Foundation and SOCAN, who put in a combined $40,000 that goes towards the Polaris album and song prize winners. Its other major partners include CBC, the funding body FACTOR and the Ontario and federal governments. Several of the Polaris-contending albums explore political themes, including 'Dunya,' from Mustafa Ahmed. The previously shortlisted Toronto musician reflects on leaving the city after the shooting death of his brother and considers the impact of the occupation of the Gaza Strip through the story of a childhood friend. 'Verbathim' sees Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter Nemahsis deep in introspection on womanhood, social expectations and finding her voice. The debut album from the Juno winner, whose given name is Nemah Hasan, was co-produced by Noah (40) Shebib, best known as Drake's longtime collaborator. Montreal's Davidson and Toronto's the OBGMs are also returning Polaris nominees with their latest albums. 'City of Clowns' has Davidson wading back into the playful electro-abyss that earned her a spot on the Polaris short list in 2019. The new album keeps her cynical sense of humour intact as she tackles capitalism, clout chasers and technology. 'Sorry, It's Over' is the result of the OBGMs lead singer Densil McFarlane's decision to seek therapy and use the experience to write about past relationships. Quebec's Lou-Adriane Cassidy explores the idea of a monster within on 'Journal d'un Loup-Garou,' a guitar and piano-driven pop concept album that translates to 'Diary of a Werewolf.' Bibi Club, the dream-pop project of Plants and Animals member Nicolas Basque and his wife Adèle Trottier-Rivard, is in contention with 'Feu de grade,' an album partly inspired by the camaraderie of her childhood experiences as a girl scout in Montreal. The debut album of Toronto's Saya Gray, simply titled 'Saya,' showcases an off-kilter sonic energy she sharpened as the musical director for U.S. singer Willow Smith and touring bassist for Daniel Caesar. Two of this year's shortlisters lean heavily into retro influences. The soulful 'All Cylinders' by Yves Jarvis, the stage name of Jean-Sébastien Yves Audet, captures several eras of rock and pop, with original songs that hearken back to the sounds of Billy Joel, Beck and Prince. Montreal rock act Population II evokes the controlled abandon of Ozzy Osbourne and Pink Floyd on 'Maintenant Jamais.' 'Bite Down' the debut of Ribbon Skirt, formerly known as Love Language, takes direction from Tashiina Buswa's Anishinaabe roots as it explores generational trauma and the sounds of 2000s indie rock. Last year, the Polaris prize went to Jeremy Dutcher for his album 'Motewolonuwok.' He became the only artist to win the honour twice. Tickets for the show are available through the Massey Hall website and at the venue's box office. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
Toronto Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
4 Toronto artists make the Polaris Music Prize short list, but Quebec leads the way
The Polaris Music Prize unveiled its 10-album short list on Thursday, and all contenders were released by artists based in Toronto or Quebec. Among the Toronto acts who made the short list are folk artist Mustafa, pop experimentalist Saya Gray, Palestinian-Canadian indie artist Nemahsis and the punk rock band the OBGMs. Meanwhile, the Quebec cohort consists of indie pop duo Bibi Club, indie pop singer Lou-Adriane Cassidy, psych-rock band Population II, electronic artist Marie Davidson, indie-rock duo Ribbon Skirt and Calgary-born, Montreal-based experimental artist Yves Jarvis.
Globe and Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Polaris Music Prize shortlist includes Mustafa, Nemahsis
Contemporary folk-poet Mustafa and alt-pop singer Nemahsis are among the 10 acts shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, which carries a slimmed-down cash reward this year. Organizers say the best Canadian album winner will receive $30,000, down from $50,000. Executive director Amber Still said the organization received less money from some of its sponsors this year. With new album, Mustafa tackles rage and forgiveness. Just don't call it therapeutic Other shortlisted artists include electronic experimentalist Marie Davidson, punk outfit the OBGMs and psychedelic rockers Population II. The winner will be announced at a gala at Toronto's Massey Hall on Sept. 16, when the $10,000 Polaris Song Prize will also be handed out for the first time. This year's contenders also include folk-soul performer Saya Gray and French-Canadian singer Lou-Adriane Cassidy. Rounding out the list is pop pair Bibi Club, Calgary-raised Yves Jarvis and Anishinaabe-led duo Ribbon Skirt.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mustafa, Nemahsis shortlisted for Polaris Music Prize as cash reward drops in value
TORONTO – Contemporary folk-poet Mustafa and alt-pop singer Nemahsis are among the 10 acts shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, which carries a slimmed-down cash reward this year. Organizers say the best Canadian album winner will receive $30,000, down from $50,000. Executive director Amber Still said the organization received less money from some of its sponsors this year. Other shortlisted artists include electronic experimentalist Marie Davidson, punk outfit the OBGMs and psychedelic rockers Population II. The winner will be announced at a gala at Toronto's Massey Hall on Sept. 16, when the $10,000 Polaris Song Prize will also be handed out for the first time. This year's contenders also include folk-soul performer Saya Gray and French-Canadian singer Lou-Adriane Cassidy. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Rounding out the list is pop pair Bibi Club, Calgary-raised Yves Jarvis and Anishinaabe-led duo Ribbon Skirt. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
