Jeremy Dutcher Wins The 2024 Polaris Music Prize

Jeremy Dutcher has received the 2024 Polaris Music Prize for his album, Motewolonuwok.

An 11-member jury chosen the report as the most effective Canadian album of the yr, based mostly solely on creative advantage. The prize was awarded at Massey Corridor in Toronto on Sept. 17.

After profitable the prize, Dutcher introduced out all his singers and crew, clearly stunned at his win. “Six years in the past, this award modified my life. I’ve to offer endless gratitude to this music group, please preserve your arms going for all of those nominees.” He continued, “Not a single album on that listing gave the impression of one another and that speaks to the breadth of music on this place. This choir, these singers, this band, everybody who helped make this album, I really like you. I did not suppose this could occur.”

When talking about the that means of his win he said, “To deliver ahead artwork and music on this land, in our languages, with our esthetics — all I’ve to say is we’re shining for you, now go shine for different individuals.”

WATCH | Jeremy Dutcher wins the 2024 Polaris Music Prize:

Motewolonuwok is Dutcher’s second album, and it is his second time profitable the Polaris Music Prize. He’s the primary artist in 19 years of Polaris historical past to obtain the award twice. As along with his debut, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, Dutcher’s devotion to preserving the Wolastoqey language is the center of Motewolonuwok, however for the primary time, he included English lyrics to deliver settlers into the conversations round reclamation and reconciliation.

In an interview with CBC Music final October, Dutcher spoke about his earlier Polaris win and the significance of preserving Indigenous language: “Not a variety of non-French or English albums have even scratched the general public creativeness…. It is thrilling to be in that very small proportion of individuals to deliver our language into that house, and the dialog about revitalization into that house.”

On the gala, Dutcher started his medley efficiency with “Sakom,” which was adopted by “Take my Hand” and “Collectively We Emerge,” the place he was joined by a refrain that flanked him whereas he sang on the piano. The highly effective, hovering songs introduced the room to a standstill.