PIERRE KWENDERS RETURNS WITH NOSTALGIC NEW SINGLE, “I WANNA KNOW” FT. POTÉ

September 29, 2026

POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE WINNER PIERRE KWENDERS RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE, “I WANNA KNOW” FEATURING POTÉ, OUT TODAY FROM SIMONE RECORDS

NEW TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED BEGINNING MARCH 2027. FULL TOUR DATES LISTED BELOW

WATCH / SHARE “I WANNA KNOW” FT. POTÉ HERE
BUY / STREAM “I WANNA KNOW” FT. POTÉ HERE

PAST PRAISE FOR PIERRE KWENDERS

“Kinshasa-born, Canadian-based artist Pierre Kwenders has made a career of fusing Congolese rumba with R&B and a medley of pop and dance styles from both sides of the equator and prime meridian” The Fader

“The singer, whose beats call upon both Congolese sounds and electro-pop” The New Yorker

“It’s a fluid, immersive work, vast but cohesive, elusive of genre, border, or trend. And it makes a case for the potential for anyone — and possibly everyone — to embody a more open, enlightened way to live.” Rolling Stone

"In turbulent times like this, Kwenders reminds us that we mustn't succumb to the darkness. … an important act of joyful resistance” CBC Music on “We Like” (feat Poté)

“An infectious house groove.” — Brooklyn Vegan on “We Like” (feat. Poté)

Photo Credit : Courtesy Of The Artist // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Since his Polaris Music Prize win in 2022 for the album José Louis and the Paradox of Love, Pierre Kwenders has traveled the world, with tours across Canada, holidays in Africa and Europe. Today he returns with the new single “I Wanna Know”, and a new chapter begins. Alongside Poté, featured artist and co-producer, the track captures a summery nostalgia, fueled by desire, heated and dance energy. As the first snippet into his new era, “I Wanna Know” marks Pierre Kwender’s return with new Canadian dates, his first since his Polaris consecration.

“I Wanna Know” celebrates “the spark of life that you feel when love is born,” explains Kwenders. “That unbearable urge to know everything about the person you love. There’s only one mystery to discover… and it’s you!”

WATCH / SHARE “I WANNA KNOW” FT. POTÉ HERE
BUY / STREAM “I WANNA KNOW” FT. POTÉ HERE

Single Art // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

MORE ABOUT PIERRE KWENDERS
Born José Louis Modabi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwenders borrows his stage name from his late grandfather, a widely respected businessman and community figure. Following his mother’s footsteps, Kwenders immigrated from Congo to Montreal in 2001. His debut album, Le Dernier Empereur Bantou, was released in 2014, followed by MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time in 2017. Both albums garnered acclaim and earned Kwenders nominations for the coveted Polaris Music Prize. In 2022, Kwenders returned with José Louis and the Paradox of Love, a culmination of the personal growth and musical dexterity he’d honed over the years, converging his strong songwriting capabilities with the bravado he possesses as a DJ. The album was met with widespread praise from the likes of The New York Times, New Yorker, NPR’s All Things Considered, Rolling Stone, The FADER, MOJO, The Guardian, Bandcamp, and beyond.

TOUR DATES
March 11, 2027 - Québec, QC - Le Pantoum
March 13, 2027 - Montréal, QC - SAT
March 19, 2027 - Ottawa, ON - Club SAW
March 20, 2027 - Toronto, ON - The Drake Underground
April 2 2027 - Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
April 3, 2027 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret

PIERRE KWENDERS ONLINE
WEBSITE
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PIERRE KWENDERS RELEASES NEW EP, SHARES VIDEO FOR “WE LIKE”

February 26, 2025

**PIERRE KWENDERS’ TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR EP OUT TODAY ON MOONSHINE**

WATCH / SHARE “WE LIKE” FT. POTÉ (MUSIC VIDEO)

**BUY / STREAM TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR HERE**

“The singer, whose beats call upon both Congolese sounds and electro-pop” The New Yorker

"In turbulent times like this, Kwenders reminds us that we mustn't succumb to the darkness. … an important act of joyful resistance” CBC Music on “We Like” (feat Poté)

“An infectious house groove.” — Brooklyn Vegan on “We Like” (feat. Poté)

Photo Credit : Saffron Da'van // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Today, Pierre Kwenders, the Congolese-born, Montreal-based musician, songwriter, and DJ releases his new EP, Tears On The Dancefloor via Moonshine, and unveils the video for its lead single, “We Like”, featuring St. Lucia-born, Paris-based electronic artist Poté. Directed by Stephen Trivieri with cinematography by Bryan Beltránd, the “We Like” video captures a vivacious scene in Barrio Pablo Escobar in Medellín, Colombia. In keeping with the song’s rallying cry for unity, connection, and celebration, the video features dancers Anny Atehortúa, Kathe Villa P, Santiago Murillo Lopez dancing in the streets and restaurants throughout the neighborhood.

WATCH / SHARE “WE LIKE” FT. POTÉ (MUSIC VIDEO)

On Tears On The Dancefloor, Kwenders’ first new project since his widely praised Polaris Music Prize-winning album José Louis And The Paradox Of Love, Kwenders delivers a heartfelt ode to the club, intimately exploring themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. The tracks across the EP are a reflection of the personal and collective experiences we all share as we navigate love, joy, fear, and growth, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the emotions that arise when we connect with others and with ourselves, creating a space where emotional depth and freedom collide.

With mixing and mastering by Pascal Shefteshy (Moonshine, Kroy, Vanyfox, Sébastien Tellier), Tears On The Dancefloor features collaborations with heavyweights of the Afro-electronic music scene, including Gafacci, Poté, Vanyfox, NegoO, and Dogzout. “I’m honored to have collaborated with some of my favorite DJs and producers who have graced countless dance floors,” Kwenders says. “Additionally, the incredible vocals of Pierre Lapointe, Lady Donli, Mopao Mumu, and Pony bring life and depth to this project. Together, we embark on a journey through the dance floor, exploring our innermost selves and emotions until we ultimately reach a place of freedom.”

LISTEN / SHARE “EVERYDAY" (FT. LADY DONLI, GAFACCI) HERE

Born José Louis Modabi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwenders borrows his stage name from his late grandfather, a widely respected businessman and community figure. Following his mother’s footsteps, Kwenders immigrated from Congo to Montreal in 2001. His debut album, Le Dernier Empereur Bantou, was released in 2014, followed by MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time in 2017. Both albums garnered acclaim and earned Kwenders nominations for the coveted Polaris Music Prize. In 2022, Kwenders returned with José Louis and the Paradox of Love, a culmination of the personal growth and musical dexterity he’d honed over the years, converging his strong songwriting capabilities with the bravado he possesses as a DJ. The album was met with widespread praise from the likes of The New York Times, New Yorker, NPR’s All Things Considered, Rolling Stone, The FADER, MOJO, The Guardian, Bandcamp, and beyond.

**BUY / STREAM TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR HERE**

TOUR DATES
Sat. Mar. 1 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
Fri. Apr. 11 – Amsterdam, NL *
Sat. Apr. 12 – Brussels, BE @ Les Halles de Schaerbeek
Fri. Apr. 18 – London, UK *
Fri. Apr. 25 – Athens, GR *
Fri. May 2 – Lisbon, PT *
Sat. May 3 – Barcelona, ES *
Sun. June 8– Réunion, FR @ Sakifo Musik Festival
* secret location shows

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR TRACKLIST
01 Everyday ft. Donli, Gafacci
02 Clair de Lune ft. Pierre Lapointe, NegoO
03 It’s Pony! ft. Pony
04 Tears on the Dancefloor ft. Dogzout
05 Merci, Beaucoup!
06 Ambriance (Ndombolo) ft. NegoO
07 We Like ft. Poté
08 Endless Night ft. Mopao Mumu, Vanyfox

PIERRE KWENDERS ONLINE
WEBSITE
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FACEBOOK

PIERRE KWENDERS REVEALS “EVERYDAY” FROM UPCOMING EP

February 12, 2025

**PIERRE KWENDERS NEW EP, TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR, OUT FEBRUARY 26**

LISTEN / SHARE “EVERYDAY" (FT. LADY DONLI, GAFACCI) HERE
BUY / STREAM “EVERYDAY" (FT. LADY DONLI, GAFACCI) HERE

**PRE-SAVE TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR HERE**

“The singer, whose beats call upon both Congolese sounds and electro-pop” The New Yorker

"In turbulent times like this, Kwenders reminds us that we mustn't succumb to the darkness. … an important act of joyful resistance” CBC Music on “We Like” (feat Poté)

“An infectious house groove.” — Brooklyn Vegan on “We Like” (feat. Poté)

Photo Credit : Saffron Da’van // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

Pierre Kwenders, the Congolese-born, Montreal-based musician, songwriter, and DJ unveils "Everyday" (feat. Lady Donli, Gafacci), the second single from his forthcoming EP, Tears On The Dancefloor out February 26th on Moonshine. Tears On The Dancefloor marks Kwenders’ first project since the release of his lauded Polaris Music Prize-winning album, José Louis And The Paradox Of Love, which Rolling Stone claimed “makes a case for the potential for anyone — and possibly everyone — to embody a more open, enlightened way to live.” On the heels of the previously released single “We Like” (feat. Poté), album opener "Everyday" (feat. Lady Donli, Gafacci) is a celebration of unconditional love. In Kwenders’ words, “It embodies the laughter and sleepy yawns of every morning, reflecting a love that is genuine and ready to embrace whatever comes our way.”

The track features Nigerian singer-songwriter Lady Donli and producer, DJ, and songwriter Gafacci. Kwenders adds: “I’d like to give a heartfelt shout-out to Lady Donli for joining me on this; it feels like a wonderful continuation of our first collaboration. Our combined energy has brought this song to life, deepening its essence and making it even more meaningful.”

LISTEN / SHARE “EVERYDAY" (FT. LADY DONLI, GAFACCI) HERE
BUY / STREAM “EVERYDAY" (FT. LADY DONLI, GAFACCI) HERE

Tears On The Dancefloor is Kwenders’ heartfelt ode to the club, a testament to the power of music as both a sanctuary and a space for self-expression. A shift from the big-picture ambition of José Louis And The Paradox Of Love, the new project is an intimate exploration of human connection, exploring intricate themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. The tracks across Tears On The Dancefloor are a reflection of the personal and collective experiences we all share as we navigate love, joy, fear, and growth, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the emotions that arise when we connect with others and with ourselves, creating a space where emotional depth and freedom collide.

LISTEN / SHARE “WE LIKE” FT. POTÉ HERE
BUY / STREAM “WE LIKE” FT. POTÉ HERE

MORE ABOUT PIERRE KWENDERS
Born José Louis Modabi in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwenders borrows his stage name from his late grandfather, a widely respected businessman and community figure. Following his mother’s footsteps, Kwenders immigrated from Congo to Montreal in 2001. His debut album, Le Dernier Empereur Bantou, was released in 2014, followed by MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time in 2017. Both albums garnered acclaim and earned Kwenders nominations for the coveted Polaris Music Prize. In 2022, Kwenders returned with José Louis and the Paradox of Love, a culmination of the personal growth and musical dexterity he’d honed over the years, converging his strong songwriting capabilities with the bravado he possesses as a DJ. The album was met with widespread praise from the likes of The New York Times, New Yorker, NPR’s All Things Considered, Rolling Stone, The FADER, MOJO, The Guardian, Bandcamp, and beyond, ultimately taking home the Polaris Music Prize for Canada’s Best Album. In 2023, José Louis and the Paradox of Love was shortlisted for the JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year.

“This journey through sound encourages us to embrace our feelings, celebrate our joys, and confront our fears, reminding us that the dance floor is not just a physical space but a sanctuary for our souls. In every beat and melody, we find an opportunity to reflect, heal, and connect on a deeper level.” — Pierre Kwenders

**PRE-SAVE TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR HERE**

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

PIERRE KWENDERS ONLINE
WEBSITE
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