Pierre Kwenders
Congolese-Canadian musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pierre Kwenders is the stage name of José Louis Modabi[1] (born 31 October 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] He is also one of the co-founders of the artist collective Moonshine.[4]
Pierre Kwenders | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | José Louis Modabi 31 October 1985 |
| Origin | Kinshasa, Zaire |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
| Website | www |
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.[5]
He released the EPs Whiskey & Tea and African Dream in 2013,[5] 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.[6]
He collaborated with Boogat on "Londres", a track on Boogat's 2015 album Neo-Reconquista.[7]
His second full-length album, Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time, was released in 2017.[8] The album was a shortlisted finalist for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.[9]
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.[10]
He won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his album José Louis and the Paradox of Love.[11]