The Heritage Prize is a hall of fame-minded critics prize/public polling campaign meant to celebrate classic Canadian albums created before Polaris began in 2006. Like the Polaris Music Prize, winners and nominees of the Heritage Prize are albums of the highest artistic distinction, without regard to sales or affiliations.
“I am thrilled to receive this prize. Thank you to Polaris and the Slaight Family for thinking of me. I could not have done this album without my producers Peter and Anthony Davis a.k.a. First Offence. Salute S Blank as well as Beat Factory on the additional production. Salute the legendary Stevie B for connecting me to his label LMR in the U.S. and special thank you to Al Mair and Attic/A&M in Canada. Big up to Farley Flex and family as well as DJ LTD and family. Can't forget Ebony MC. Thanks to Joel Goldberg, MuchMusic and Electric Circus for the game-changing support. Symphony In Effect is the backbone, not only for Canadian Hip-Hop, but for Black music in Canada. It is the first album from a Black Canadian artist to reach gold and platinum status in this country, so it's a must that I thank all my fans and DJs who supported me. The album is a major part of our legacy here and it's an absolute honour to be acknowledged. Thanks again. Greatly appreciated."
— Maestro Fresh Wes
“Thank you for noting Skinny Puppy and our album Bites with Polaris’s Heritage Prize. It’s true that the album was made without considering commercial acceptability. It was a vibrant time in Downtown Vancouver in 1985. I think most of our dreams were to be dancing at the Luv a Fair and hear one of our tracks. That happened! It’s also not common for Skinny Puppy to be noted within the industry through history, except through the support of our devoted fanbase. Thank you for the 40 years to our fans and for your Polaris Heritage Prize.”
— CEvin Key, Skinny Puppy
