Created 30 years ago, the Prix Félix-Leclerc de la chanson presented by SOCAN recognizes the excellence of emerging artists or groups who carry on the “chanson francophone” tradition.
Each year, two francophone musical projects are recognized: one in Québec, during the Francos de Montréal, and the other in France, during the Francofolies de La Rochelle.
Among the Québec recipients of the past three decades are many artists who have left a lasting impression and built enduring careers, such as Mara Tremblay (1999), Pierre Lapointe (2004), Vincent Vallières (2005), Catherine Major (2008), Marie-Pierre Arthur (2012), Klô Pelgag (2017), Hubert Lenoir (2018), Les Louanges (2019), and Lou-Adriane Cassidy (2024), to name only a few.
Here is the 2026 cohort of finalists.
Alphonse Bisaillon
There is something wildly whimsical—bordering on theatrical—and almost timeless about Alphonse Bisaillon’s creations. In fact, his two studio albums already attest to a highly defined artistic identity.
There’s no doubt: with his florid prose, elevated register, and unmistakably Québécois diction, the word chanson fits him like a glove.
Édouard Tremblay-Grenier
Here’s a finalist who could set a precedent: should Édouard Tremblay-Grenier win the Prix Félix-Leclerc, he would succeed his mother, Mara Tremblay.
Rather than decamping in the opposite direction for fear of comparisons, he crafts enigmatic folk-pop songs with an added touch of soul. He’s walking in his mom’s footsteps while clearly inhabiting a universe that is entirely his own.
Grand Eugène
Playful through and through, Grand Eugène’s distinctive electro-pop sounds are punctuated by nu-disco rhythms and Melyssa Lemieux’s almost whispered vocals. Their songs feel as light and warm as a summer breeze.
The duo is already flirting with audiences in France, thanks to their very “international French” accent and their fresh off the presses collaboration with Miel de Montagne.
Read also: Grand Eugène, Love, All Over the Place
Kamilou
Her voice is as powerful as she has plenty to say about women’s lived experiences and classism, and whether she sings or raps, Kamilou blows us away with her versatility and point of view.
Calm and bordering on nonchalant, the Montréal artist naturally leans into jazzy arrangements, which skillfully contrasts with her no holds barred lyrics.
Read also: Five “Queb Rap” Rookies to Watch in 2026
Kinji00
Aside from Mixmania, Québec’s early-2000s pop-reality phenomenon, how many musical projects have managed to create their own hand sign? That is certainly the case for Miguel Monterio-Beauchamp, alias Kinji00. At only 16, he has become the standard-bearer of the new sovereigntist wave with his song Fleur de lys.
Two years after riding the virality rocket to success, Kinji00 teamed up again with his brother, beatmaker Lb66, to release two powerful albums.
Read also: Five “Queb Rap” Rookies to Watch in 2026
Lysandre
The singer-songwriter creates top-tier pop, where the voice, progressions, melodies, arrangements, and lyrics are crafted with equal care in the pursuit of beauty—and of doing things differently.
Lysandre broke through this year in the wake of the release of Portrait de l’invisible, a nine-song collection that was clearly crafted with finesse and painstaking care.
Marco Ema
In an interview with our colleague Élise Jetté, Marc Ema said he made this album for himself after letting go of his expectations from the industry, which makes it all the more touching to see him appear on this list.
But to be honest, he fully deserves to be on the strength of Soleil mâché, his most recent album, whose smartly crafted pop-rock songs—riffs and lyrics alike—leave us thoroughly impressed.
Marie Céleste
Marie Céleste’s songs are teeming with ideas that are infused with Brazilian music (Combien de temps?), punk rock (CAM), and plenty of other styles. Call it a whole range of eclectic inspirations that blend together effortlessly.
Let’s not forget the quality of their harmonies and prose, which, at times, recall the likes of Harmonium and Karkwa.
Read also: Marie Céleste: Shining In a Good Light
Naomi
Few Québec singer-songwriters fully and skillfully embrace the pop star aesthetic as she does. On a stage where Dua Lipa, Addison Rae, and Tate McRae reign supreme, Naomi fully holds her own—and in French, no less.
Naomi’s songs, like those of her Anglo-chart contemporaries, exist for and through dance.
Vanille
Vanille’s high, delicate voice is recognizable from the very first seconds of her songs.
There’s a 60s vibe to Rachel Leblanc’s music—Vanille’s real name—that colours it with psychedelia and hovers over everything she creates like a wisp of incense. It’s no surprise that her music haunts us long after it’s stopped playing.
Read also: Vanille : Never-ending Seasons and Eras
The solo artist or group that will win the Prix Félix-Leclerc de la chanson presented by SOCAN will be announced on June 19, during the 37th Francos de Montréal.
This year’s jury is composed of last year’s recipients, Rau_Ze, namely Rose Perron and Félix Paul, as well as music journalists Claude Côté (Words & Music), Melissa Maya Falkenberg (SiriusXM), Estelle Grignon (CHOQ), Marissa Groguhé (La Presse), Philippe Papineau (CIBL), and Émilie Rioux (CKIA, Ici Musique).