Pierre Kwenders, born José Louis Modabi, was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2001, as a teen he immigrated to Montréal with his mother. The Afrika Intshiyetu Choir at a local African church became a key part of his life, as his involvement shaped his musical experience. This church and the church back in the DRC, combined tribe languages and regional African languages during service. He became known as the most energetic dancer at family gatherings, being surrounded by music constantly as a child. Kwenders intuitively incorporates Lingala, French, English, Tshibula, and Kikongo into his music, demonstrating the impact language and geography have had on his artistic style. His stage name is a tribute to his grandfather, who was a beloved and cherished community member.

Kwenders explores themes of romance, queerness, space and time, and “sagacité”– to work hard, one must play hard. Crossing genre boundaries from electronic, pop, and Congolese rumba, he uses the guitar, saxophone, cello, trumpet, violin, and mbira (native to Zimbabwe) to craft his collection of modern African music. He has recorded in several cities, including Montréal, Lisbon, Seattle, New York City, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, collaborating along the way. In 2019, he worked with Ngabonziza Kiroko in the duo ABAKOS; together, they released Solar Soldier, produced by Jamie Lidell. Baluka was released in 2021, created with Brooklyn-based producer, Uproot Andy. He also cofounded Moonshine in 2014, a collective of artists celebrating the diversity within dance culture, specifically highlighting Black and queer artists.

Kwender’s debut album Le Dernier Empereur Bantou (2014) earned him a nomination for the Polaris Prize, as well as his sophomore album MAKANDA at The End of Space, the Beginning of Time (2017). His third album Classe Tendresse (2020) was nominated for the 2021 GAMIQ World EP/Album of the Year Award. Taking four years to complete writing his most recent album, naming it after his birth name, he won the Polaris Music Prize for Jose Louis and the Paradox of Love (2022).

Besides creating music, Kwenders has co-direccted a series of short documentaries and produced his own short film; Zaire Space Program is a series describing his life in Kinshasa before emigrating. “”Liberté, Égalité, Sagacité”” fulfilled his long-term dream of making a film shortly after he won the Polaris Prize in 2022 for his album Jose Louis and the Paradox of Love. Kwender and his team shot and filmed in Argentina and Patagonia.

Awards

• 2022 Polaris Music Prize
• 2021 GAMIQ World EP/Album of the Year