Musical acts representing a diversity of races and cultures — from Edmonton-based Indigenous rock act nêhiyawak and the Filipino-Canadian quintet Pantayo to Montreal-based transgender rapper Backxwash — are among the finalists for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize. The Polaris recognizes the best full-length Canadian album, based on artistic merit, not sales or genre. Polaris will be not be hosting its usual gala event in Toronto, which had been scheduled for Sept. 21, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Toronto rapper Haviah Mighty won the prize for 13th Floor, becoming the first female rapper to claim the Polaris. Here is the full list of artists and albums up for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize:

Source: CBC News July 15, 2020 22:18 UTC