Latest news with #Nemahsis
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Mustafa, Nemahsis shortlisted for Polaris Music Prize as cash reward drops in value
Nemahsis arrives for the Juno Awards, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns 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. David Friend, The Canadian Press
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.
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.
Cosmopolitan ME
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan ME
Watch Nemahsis' therapy session in new docu-series
Who knew a floor-laying therapy session and dancing on microaggressions could be so cathartic to watch? From the very first episode of Sarah Bahbah's podcast-cinema hybrid, Nemahsis pulls you into her rebellious inner world. She secretly began wearing a hijab in grade four without anyone's permission. And now, she is dripped in hijab and a suit while screaming 'STFU' publicly. In Can I Come In?, the Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter opens up about what it means to be a Muslim Arab woman in the West. Pushed to choose between her art and her love life, and navigating a music industry that turned colder after October 7th, Nemahsis doesn't hold back. This isn't a pity story though and she is far from broken. So, what do we learn in the new music vid? She was the 'sneaky link' friend everyone pretended not to know Growing up in an all-white town post-9/11, she says she was seen as 'dirty,' 'Arab,' and 'dangerous.' Yet those same classmates would sneak off to hang out with her in the forest because she was unmistakably cool and hilarious. After October 7, the lack of public support triggered childhood trauma When Palestine became global news again, people did not openly support it. 'People don't know how to stand up for something,' she shares. The 'sneaky link' trauma resurfaced, but this time, she wasn't going to take it. She was once asked to choose: love or music Nemahsis opens up about a past relationship where she was asked to give up her artist career to be with someone. His family wouldn't bless the marriage unless she quit music. She made the logical decision to choose music because music would never hurt her. Her love language is acts of service (and chicken liver) She did not grow up with a lot, but thanks to her loving dad, she never felt poor. Her dad would buy her fresh chicken liver because she loved it so much. He set the standard for the type of partner she wants (but she's not really looking right now). Her creative process is about letting go She's inspired by other artists, often full of creative fire. She's not a perfectionist, but is a procrastinator who often faces blockages. But once she starts flowing, it's hard for her to stop creating. She dreams of freedom for all 'We will be free,' she says, speaking directly to Palestinians. Click here to read our latest interview with Nemahsis.
