Who is he? Pierre Kwenders is a Congolese-Canadian singer, songwriter and DJ

A portrait of the artist.

Camille Sauvayre/Pitch Perfect PR

Who is he? Pierre Kwenders is a Congolese-Canadian singer, songwriter and DJ.

• Hailing from Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwenders immigrated to Canada with his mother as a teenager, bringing a love of music and celebration with him.
• After settling in Montreal, Kwenders joined the Afrika Intshiyetu Choir, a local African church choir that he credits with aligning him with his path as a musician.
• Kwenders’ latest album, José Louis and the Paradox of Love, was released last year. It was awarded the 2022 Polaris Music Prize, an annual award for the year’s best Canadian album.

What’s the big deal? Kwenders’ fourth studio album has been re-released in a deluxe edition, with several new tracks.

• For Kwenders, the album is an exploration of love, life and his own identity. He says he is sharing the story of “that young kid who left Congo at a very young age – I was 15, 16 years old – and then I arrived here and I still have this idea of what life is supposed to be, and everything else that everybody is telling me around me and all that is connected with love.”
• Love extends to the journey of his understanding of his own sexuality. Kwenders came out as bisexual three years ago, and details the experience in the track “Your Dream,” where he reassures his mother and thanks her supporting him on his journey

What’s he saying? Kwenders spoke with NPR’s Kira Wakeam about the project, and how it encapsulates all of the unique aspects of his…