Pierre Kwenders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierre Kwenders
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | José Louis Modabi |
| Born | October 31, 1985 |
| Origin | Kinshasa, Zaire |
| Genres | pop music world music |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Pierre Kwenders is the stage name for a talented musician named José Louis Modabi. He was born on October 31, 1985, in Kinshasa, which was then called Zaire. Today, he is known as a Congolese-Canadian artist.
Pierre Kwenders is famous for his unique music style. He mixes sounds from African music with popular western styles like hip hop and electronic music. He sings and raps in several languages, including English, French, Lingala, and Tshiluba.
His music has earned him many awards and nominations. For example, his 2014 album Le Dernier empereur bantou was nominated for a Juno Award and the Polaris Music Prize. Later, he won the Polaris Music Prize in 2022 for his album José Louis and the Paradox of Love.
Contents
Pierre Kwenders' Musical Journey
Pierre Kwenders moved to Canada with his mother when he was a teenager. He first became widely known in 2012. This happened when he was featured on the album Havre de Grace by the band Radio Radio.
Early Releases and First Album
In 2013, Pierre Kwenders released two shorter music collections called EPs. These were titled Whiskey & Tea and African Dream.
His first full-length album, Le Dernier empereur bantou, came out in 2014. To share his new music, he went on a tour across Canada in 2015.
Awards and Collaborations
One of his songs, "Mardi Gras", was a special project with Jacques Alphonse "Jacobus" Doucet from Radio Radio. This song was nominated for the SOCAN Songwriting Prize in 2015. This award celebrates great songs written in French.
Pierre Kwenders also worked with another artist named Boogat. They created a song called "Londres" for Boogat's 2015 album, Neo-Reconquista.
Second Album and Major Recognition
His second full-length album, Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time, was released in 2017. This album was a finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize. This prize is given to the best Canadian album of the year.
In 2022, Pierre Kwenders achieved a big win. He won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his album José Louis and the Paradox of Love. This award shows how much his music is appreciated in Canada.
See also
In Spanish: Pierre Kwenders para niños
