Indigenous Artists on the 2020 Polaris Music Prize Long List

The Polaris Music Prize ended months of debate and speculation with the announcement of this year's long list of top Canadian albums. Six Indigenous-identifying artists have garnered spots on the list, including:

Anachnid, Dreamweaver 
Lido Pimienta, Miss Colombia
nêhiyawak, nipiy
Riit, ataataga
WHOOP-Szo, Warrior Down
William Prince, Reliever

The slate of albums was put forward by the 200+ member jury -- which includes national music journalists, broadcasters, and bloggers. The coveted prize awards to $50,000 to the best full-length Canadian album, while short listed artists each receive $3,000 courtesy of Slaight Music.

The 10-album Short List will be revealed on July 15  on a CBC Music radio special and the 2020 Polaris Music Prize winner will be revealed live on the CBC Gem streaming service and CBCMusic.ca/Polaris.

The jury makes its selection entirely on artistic merit. Past winners include Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016), Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy / Owen Pallett (2006).

The 2020 Polaris Music Prize Long List

Allie X - Cape God
Anachnid - Dreamweaver
Aquakultre - Legacy
Marie-Pierre Arthur - Des feux pour voir
Backxwash - God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
Badge Époque Ensemble - Badge Époque Ensemble
Begonia - Fear
P'tit Belliveau - Greatest Hits Vol. 1
Caribou - Suddenly
Daniel Caesar - CASE STUDY 01
Chocolat - Jazz engagé
Louis-Jean Cormier - Quand la nuit tombe
Corridor - Junior
dvsn - A Muse In Her Feelings
Jacques Greene - Dawn Chorus
Sarah Harmer - Are You Gone
Ice Cream - FED UP
Junia-T - Studio Monk
Kaytranada - Bubba
Flore Laurentienne - Volume 1
Cindy Lee - What's Tonight To Eternity?
Men I Trust - Oncle Jazz
nêhiyawak - nipiy
OBUXUM - Re-Birth
Owen Pallett - Island
Pantayo - Pantayo
Lido Pimienta - Miss Colombia
Joel Plaskett - 44
William Prince - Reliever
Jessie Reyez – BEFORE LOVE CAME TO KILL US
Riit - ataataga
Andy Shauf - The Neon Skyline
Super Duty Tough Work - Studies in Grey
U.S. Girls - Heavy Light
Leif Vollebekk - New Ways
Wares - Survival
The Weeknd - After Hours
WHOOP-Szo - Warrior Down
Witch Prophet - DNA Activation
Zen Bamboo - GLU