Brampton's Haviah Mighty won the Polaris Music prize for her album 13th Floor on the evening of Sept. 16.

The 26-year-old rapper, who moved to Brampton from east-end Toronto at age 12, has become the first hip-hop artist to win the prestigious Canadian music accolade, which is awarded yearly to a Canadian album based on artistic merit rather than sales.

Presented by CBC Music at the Carlu in Toronto, the win comes with a $50,000 cash prize.

A followup to her debut album Flower City (2017), 13th Floor explores Mighty's experiences of marginalization she said are often dismissed by others. The title is also a multilayered reference to bad luck associated with the 13th floor of buildings in North America and to the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery.