Toronto’s Mustafa has been crowned the winner of the 2022 Prism Prize for his music video “Ali.”
The self-directed video was selected by a panel of over 130 esteemed industry professionals in Canadian music and visual arts. Mustafa took home the $20,000 Grand Prize for Canadian music video of the year, surpassing nine other videos from artists like Haviah Mighty, BADBADNOTGOOD, and more.
The video tackles the issue of gun violence through the lens of a community struck by grief. Mustafa shines a light on the heavy burden of mourning and healing after loss, as he honours the life of Ali Rizeig, a cherished friend, son, and brother from Regent Park who was killed in 2017.
“In our tenth year of the Prism Prize, it is clearer than ever that Canadian creatives are continuing to take the art of music videos to new heights, offering compelling and emotional visuals for audiences everywhere,” said Louis Calabro, VP of programming and awards at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and founder of Prism Prize. “Mustafa’s ‘Ali’ is no exception—the video is the perfect accompaniment to the deeply moving song, a beautiful tribute to Mustafa’s dear late friend, Ali Rizeig.”
The live screening and awards presentation also presented the 2022 Special Award recipients. Mustafa was selected for the Willie Dunn Award and received a $2,500 honorarium. When asked to choose an emerging Canadian creative to spotlight and be the beneficiary of the $2,500 he picked fellow Toronto-based rapper Puffy L’z.
Alongside Mustafa were a number of Canadian creatives recognized for their work, including Chiiild, a Montreal-based soul and jazz band, who received the Hi-Fidelity Award for innovative recording artists in music videos. Toronto-based director Iris Kim was given the Lipsett Award, which celebrates a unique approach to music video art. Director and digital artist Sammy Rawa won the Special Achievement Award.
While “Ali” won the $20,000 prize, teams in the Top 10 shortlist received $1,000 courtesy of Patron partner Slaight Music. All Prism Prize Award recipients, including the Grand Prize, Audience Award, and all Special Award winners will receive $2,500 in grants for rental equipment courtesy of partners at William F. White International Inc.
To watch the music videos from this year’s nominees and winners visit the official Prism Prize website.
