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Tanika Charles Named First NMC Polaris Artist Resident

R&B singer and Polaris long-lister Tanika Charles is named the inaugural recipient of Lixar and the National Music Centre present the Polaris Artist Residency that comes with a five-day residency at Studio Bell in Calgary.

Tanika Charles Named First NMC Polaris Artist Resident

By Nick Krewen

Edmonton native and Toronto-based R&B singer and songwriter Tanika Charles is the winner of the newly established Lixar and the National Music Centre present the Polaris Artist Residency.


Charles was announced as the winner at Tuesday night's Polaris Music Prize ceremony at the Carlu in Toronto, and wins a five-day residency at the National Music Centre's Studio Bell in Calgary, with travel expenses covered by Lixar. The resulting recording will be pressed to vinyl, courtesy of Lixar.

The contest was open to all 2019 Polaris Long Listers, with Charles' album The Gumption getting the nod for this expansion of the NMC's Artist in Residence program.

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The prize also includes a performance and a party by Charles, scheduled for January 2020 with further details to be announced.

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Chappell Roan at the 68th GRAMMY Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Gilbert Flores/Billboard

Chappell Roan at the 68th GRAMMY Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

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