Canadian music had a night to remember at the 2025 Polaris Music Prize Awards, as Yves Jarvis took home the prestigious Polaris Music Prize for Best Album with his standout release All Cylinders, while Mustafa made history by winning the inaugural SOCAN Polaris Song Prize for his powerful single, Gaza Is Calling.
The star-studded event, hosted at Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall on September 16 and presented by CBC, celebrated the best in Canadian music—with a unique focus on artistic excellence over commercial success. The winners were chosen without bias toward genre, sales, or record label, staying true to Polaris’ mission of spotlighting boundary-pushing creativity.
Yves Jarvis Wins 2025 Polaris Music Prize for All Cylinders
Rising to the top of a fiercely competitive shortlist, Yves Jarvis’ genre-defying album All Cylinders earned him this year’s $30,000 Polaris Music Prize, supported by the Slaight Family Foundation. A true testament to artistic innovation, Jarvis’ win was decided by a Grand Jury of 11 influential music journalists drawn from a national pool of 205 jurors.
Mustafa Honoured with the First-Ever SOCAN Polaris Song Prize
Making waves with a song that resonates globally, Mustafa’s Gaza Is Calling claimed the first-ever SOCAN Polaris Song Prize and a $10,000 award. The emotionally charged track—co-written by Mustafa Ahmed, Emmanuel Hailemariam, Simon Hessman, and Nicolas Jaar—struck a chord with the full Polaris jury.
2025 Polaris Prize Finalists: A Celebration of Canadian Talent
This year’s Polaris Music Prize Shortlist was a dazzling display of Canada’s musical diversity. Finalists included:
- Bibi Club – Feu de garde
- Lou-Adriane Cassidy – Journal d’un Loup-Garou
- Marie Davidson – City Of Clowns
- Saya Gray – SAYA
- Yves Jarvis – All Cylinders
- Mustafa – Dunya
- Nemahsis – Verbathim
- The OBGMs – SORRY, IT’S OVER
- Population II – Maintenant Jamais
- Ribbon Skirt – Bite Down
The SOCAN Polaris Song Prize shortlist also featured remarkable tracks from Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Saya Gray, Yves Jarvis, Mustafa, and Ribbon Skirt—each showcasing lyrical depth and musical ingenuity.
Star Performances and Special Honors at the 2025 Polaris Concert
Hosted by 2019 Polaris winner Haviah Mighty, the Polaris Gala was a dynamic mix of live performances and heartfelt moments. Acts like Bibi Club, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Marie Davidson, Saya Gray, Nemahsis, The OBGMs, Population II, and Ribbon Skirt delivered unforgettable sets. Previous winners and nominees like Cadence Weapon and Kelly McMichael also took the stage as presenters.
The night also spotlighted two legendary albums inducted into the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize Hall of Fame:
- The Organ – Grab That Gun (Public Vote Winner): The cult-favourite 2004 indie rock album, featuring hits like Brother and Memorize the City, remains a Canadian classic.
- Jane Siberry – The Speckless Sky (Jury Vote Winner): The 1985 avant-pop gem includes iconic tracks like One More Colour, later covered by artists like Sarah Polley and The Rheostatics.
Polaris Music Prize 2025: A Milestone for Canadian Music
The 2025 Polaris Music Prize not only celebrated Canada’s brightest musical minds, but also reinforced the country’s place as a global hub for groundbreaking music and lyrical storytelling. With Yves Jarvis and Mustafa leading the way, the future of Canadian music looks more vibrant and impactful than ever.
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