Drake lone Black artist vying for Prism Prize

Drake
Drake

Toronto-born Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor Aubrey Drake Graham, aka Drake, is the only Black artist among the top 10 best Canadian music videos chosen in this year’s Prism Prize contest.

His video for his song Hotline Bling was selected by a jury of more than 120 Canadian music, film and media arts professionals.

After viewing hundreds of music videos released in 2015, jurors selected the Prism Prize Top 20 and Top Ten based on originality, creativity, style, innovation and effective execution.

The jury will vote once more to determine the Prism Prize winner, who will receive the $10,000 grand prize at the awards presentation on Sunday, May 15 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

The presentation will include a screening of the top 10 videos, and award presentations including the grand prize for best Canadian music video of the year; the Audience Award; the Special Achievement Award (presented by FYI Music News) for artistic achievements and exceptional world-wide contribution to music video art.

The Arthur Lipsett Award (presented by MuchFACT) for innovative and unique approaches to music video art will also be presented.

The other nine Prism Prize nominees are: A Tribe Called Red – Suplex (Director: Jon Riera), Braids – Miniskirt (Director: Kevan Funk), Death From Above 1979 – Virgins (Director: Eva Michon), The Elwins – So Down Low (Director: Alan Poon), Fast Romantics – Julia (Director: Matthew Angus), Grimes – Flesh Without Blood (Director: Grimes), Harrison – How Can It Be (Director: Maxime Lamontagne), Kalle Mattson – Avalanche (Director: Philip Sportel) and Monogrenade – Le Fantôme (Director: Kristof Brandl).

In addition to the top 10, all Prism Prize Top 20 videos are eligible for this year’s Audience Award, presented by Noisey Canada. The Top 20 videos are live at prismprize.com/audience2016 where fans can watch and vote on who will take home this year’s Audience Award.

All Prism Prize Award recipients, including the grand prize, Audience Award, Special Achievement Award and the Arthur Lipsett Award, will receive $2,000 grants from William F. White for production equipment rentals, and all Top Ten nominees will receive an exclusive gift bag from MAC Cosmetics.

For more information visit www.prismprize.com.