Shad | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Shadrach Kabango |
Also known as | Shad K Your Boy Tony Braxton |
Born | Kenya | July 18, 1982
Origin | London, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | Alternative hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Recording Artist, Broadcaster |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | Black Box Music, Decon, Duck Down, Secret City |
Website | shadk |
Shadrach Kabango (born July 18, 1982), better known as Shad or Shad K, is a Canadian recording artist and broadcaster. He has released 7 full-length albums and 3 EP's since his debut in 2005. He won a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 2011 and 5 of his albums have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, the most short-list nominations of any artist in the prize's history.[1] In 2013, CBC Music named Shad the second-greatest Canadian rapper of all time.[2][3] Shad hosted Q on CBC Radio One from 2015 to 2016 and hosts the International Emmy and Peabody Award-winning documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution on HBO Canada and Netflix.[4]
Early life
[edit]Born in Kenya to Rwandan parents, Shad was raised in London, Ontario.[5] His mother worked as a lab technologist in a London hospital and his father was a machinist.[6] He attended London Central Secondary School.
Music career
[edit]While an undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University, Shad won $17,500 from 91.5 The Beat's Rhythm of the Future talent competition.[7] He was entered in the radio contest by his sister.[8] The prize money was used to finance his self-released debut album When This Is Over (2005). The album was recognized for Shad's honest lyrics[9] and focus on social causes—for example, the track "I'll Never Understand" examines the Rwandan genocide and includes poetry written by his mother Bernadette Kabango.[10]
In 2007, Shad was signed by Black Box Recordings for a three-album deal and released his second album, The Old Prince.[11] The album was supported by four singles, most prominently "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home", with its accompanying viral music video.[12] In 2008, The Old Prince received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year and was a short-list nominee for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize.[13] The music video for the single "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" was nominated for two MuchMusic Video Awards in 2008.[14]
Shad released his third album, TSOL, in 2010. TSOL was a short-list nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize, the video for the song "Rose Garden" received a nomination for a 2011 MuchMusic Video Award, and the album won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards.[15] On beating out Canadian compatriot Drake for the Juno, Shad said in an interview: "I did not think for a second that I would win. Not for one second. He's massive. He's massive in the States, he's massive in Canada."[16]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Shad_%283956490129%29.jpg/200px-Shad_%283956490129%29.jpg)
In 2012, Shad released the EP "Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness"[17] and in June 2013, he released a collaborative EP with Skratch Bastid entitled The Spring Up.[18] Shad's fourth album,[19] Flying Colours, was released on October 15, 2013.[20] This album was nominated for the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 2014, and was a short-list nominee for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.[21] In December 2014, Shad released a collaborative EP with DJ T. LO entitled "Boarding Pass".[22]
In 2016, he released a 90s-influenced soft-rock album, Adult Contempt, under the pseudonym Your Boy Tony Braxton.[23] The alter ego was based on "the idea of a dude named Tony Braxton who likes to sing (but obviously isn't as good as the famous Toni Braxton)."[24] Musically, the album was inspired by Michael Penn, Terence Trent D'arby, The Cure, Bryan Adams, and Janet Jackson.[25]
In the same year, Shad collaborated with Tanya Tagaq on "Centre", a track from her album Retribution, and also recorded for Homeboy Sandman, Skratch Bastid, and A Tribe Called Red (on We Are the Halluci Nation).
In July 2018, Shad released the lead single, "The Fool Pt 1 (Get It Got It Good)" from his new album, A Short Story About a War. Two follow-up singles, "The Fool Pt. 3 (Frame of Mind)" and "The Stone Throwers (Gone in a Blink)", were released in prior to the album's release.[26] The album was released in October 2018 on Secret City Records and included collaborations with Lido Pimienta, Kaytranada, Ian Kamau, Eternia, and Yukon Blonde. A Short Story About a War is a concept album, which explores the same war from multiple perspectives.[27] The album was short-listed for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize, marking Shad's 4th Polaris short-list nomination.[28]
In April 2020, Shad indicated he was working on finishing a new album.[29] He also was featured on Tobi's "24 (Toronto Remix)" and its corresponding music video, along with Haviah Mighty, Jazz Cartier, and Ejji Smith.[30]
In April 2021, Shad released the single "Out of Touch", featuring pHoenix Pagliacci, followed by the single "Work", featuring Skratch Bastid, the next month.[31][32] In June 2021, Shad announced his new album, TAO , would be released October 1, 2021.[33] He also released the song "Storm", which featured pHoenix Pagliacci and George Elliott Clarke.[33] On July 14, 2022, TAO was short-listed for the 2022 Polaris Music Prize.[1]
Television and radio work
[edit]Q (2015–2016)
[edit]In March 2015, it was announced that Shad would replace Jian Ghomeshi as host of CBC Radio One's Q.[4] In August 2016, the CBC announced that he would be replaced by Tom Power.[34][35]
Hip Hop Evolution (2016–present)
[edit]In the four-part documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution, Shad interviewed multiple noted hip-hop and rap artists to explore the origins of this music genre. This documentary was featured in 2016 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and shown on HBO Canada[36] On December 2, 2016 Netflix released the series internationally. The series went on to be one of the 2016 Peabody Award winners[37] and won an International Emmy Award for Best Arts Programming in 2017.[38] On October 19, 2018 Netflix released a second season of the series and a third season was released on September 6, 2019.[39] Hip Hop Evolution's fourth season was released on January 17, 2020.[40]
Musical style and influences
[edit]Shad is described as a "conscious" and "reflective" rapper,[8][41] known for his witty lyrics on heartfelt subjects.[42] Shad has stated that he was influenced by the artists that he listened to in high school, such as Common, Lauryn Hill, Eminem, The Roots, Notorious B.I.G., and Outkast.[43][44]
Personal life
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Shad_%28rapper%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px-Shad_%28rapper%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Shad is bilingual, speaking English and French. He holds a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University[44] and a master's degree in liberal studies from Simon Fraser University.[45] Shad and his wife married in 2016; they have two daughters.[46]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- When This Is Over (2005)
- The Old Prince (2007)
- TSOL (2010)
- Flying Colours (2013)
- A Short Story About a War (2018)
- TAO (2021)
EPs
[edit]- Two Songs (2011) (with Dallas Green)
- Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness (2012)
- The Spring Up (2013) (with Skratch Bastid)
- Holy Shad (2014) (with Holy Fuck)
- Boarding Pass (2014) (with DJ T.LO)
Singles
[edit]- "I Don't Like To" (2008)
- "Brother (Watching)" (2008)
- "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" (2008)
- "Compromise" (2009)
- "Yaa I Get It" (2010)
- "Rose Garden" (2010)
- "We, Myself and I" (2010)
- "Keep Shining" (2011)
- "Give You All I Can" (2011)
- "It Ain't Over" (2012)
- "Stylin'" (2013)
- "Fam Jam (Fe Sum Immigrins)" (2013)
- "The Fool Pt 1 (Get it Got it Good)" (2018)
- "The Fool Pt. 3 (Frame of Mind)" (2018)
- "The Stone Throwers (Gone In a Blink)" (2018)
- "Out of Touch" feat. Phoenix Pagliacci (2021)
Guest appearances
[edit]- Promise – "Shy Guy" from More Than Music (2008)
- Hey Ocean! – "Vagabond" from It's Easier to Be Somebody Else (2008)
- Blue Scholars – "The Dawn Song" from Bayani: Redux (2009)
- Grand Analog – "Electric City" from Metropolis Is Burning (2009)
- Classified – "Loonie" from Self Explanatory (2009)
- Wax Romeo and Smalltown DJs – "Boom Ha" (2010)
- Dirty Circus – "Into the Sun" from Alive and Well (2010)
- Mike Tompkins – "Only Girl" (2010)
- Lights – "Everybody Breaks a Glass" and "Flux and Flow" from Siberia (2011)
- Blitz the Ambassador – "Native Sun" from Native Sun (2011)
- The Slakadeliqs – "Beneath It All" from The Other Side of Tomorrow (2012)
- Lushlife – "Gymnopedie 1.2" from Plateau Vision (2012)
- k-os – "Spraying My Pen" from Black on Blonde (2013)
- Mr. J. Medeiros – "Pale Blue Dot" 20Syl Remix" (2013)
- The Procussions – "Today" from The Procussions (2013)
- Grand Analog – "The Great Rhyme Dropper" from Modern Thunder (2013)
- Said the Whale – "Resolutions" from Hawaiii (2013)
- Def3 – "The Truth" from Wildlif3 (2014)
- k-os – "Boyz II Men" from Can't Fly Without Gravity (2015)
- Homeboy Sandman – "Earth, Wind, Fire" from Kindness for Weakness (2016)
- Skratch Bastid – "Limoncello" (2016)
- A Tribe Called Red – "How I Feel" from We Are the Halluci Nation (2016)
- Tanya Tagaq – "Centre" from Retribution (2016)
- Paul Chin – "Take Two" from Full Spectrum (2020)
- Tobi – "24 (Toronto Remix)" from Still+ (2020)
- Haviah Mighty – “Imagine That” (2022)
- Anomalie – “Generations” from “Galleries”
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids – “Red Sky At Night (Remix)” (2022)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Quebec comes in strong, Shad extends his history marking record on Polaris short list". Toronto Star. July 14, 2022.
- ^ "Who is Shad? 4 things to know about the new face of Q". thestar.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ "Shad: Why the thoughtful rapper is at the top of his game". Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "Shad named new host of CBC's Q." CBC News. March 10, 2015.
- ^ Dixon, Guy (October 29, 2007). "Echoes of hip hop's heyday". The Globe and Mail. p. R3.
- ^ Kaplan, Ben (January 16, 2008). "'He knows who he is': And you should, too: Why Shad K is Canada's best rapper". National Post. p. AL1.
- ^ Perlich, Tim (February 16, 2006). "Six-string rap: Canuck hiphop threat Shad sticks with guitar". Now. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b "Shad gives a voice to his hip-hop generation". The Georgia Straight. August 17, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Shad". The Gazette. December 17, 2010.
- ^ Quinlan, Thomas (October 2005). "Shad: When This Is Over". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
- ^ Carlick, Stephen (April 6, 2010). "Exclusive: Shad Preps New Studio Album for May Release". Exclaim!.
- ^ "Shad Gets It". exclaim.ca. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ Warner, Tyrone (March 17, 2011). "JUNO nominee Shad's scholarly days coming to an end". CTV Television Network. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
- ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (June 2009). "Shad Gets It". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010.
- ^ "Shad nips Drake for rap Juno". Toronto Star. March 27, 2011.
- ^ Bernad, Adam (August 30, 2011). "Shad Interview". RapReviews.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ "Shad 'Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness' EP | Exclaim!".
- ^ Aborisade, Femi (July 16, 2013). "Shad & Skratch Bastid – The Spring Up". Potholes in My Blog.
- ^ Matthews, Aaron (October 11, 2013). "Shad - Flying Colours". Exclaim!.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (July 30, 2013). "Shad Sets Release Date for 'Flying Colours,' Releases New Single". Exclaim!.
- ^ "Arcade Fire, Drake, Shad make Polaris Music Prize short list". CTV News, July 15, 2014.
- ^ "Shad & DJ T.LO Boarding Pass EP | Exclaim!".
- ^ "Stream Your Boy Tony Braxton Adult Contempt". Stereogum, July 15, 2016.
- ^ Ritchie, Kevin (July 27, 2016). "Your Boy Tony Braxton". NOW Magazine. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ "Shad Becomes Your Boy Tony Braxton for 'Adult Contempt'". exclaim.ca. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ "Shad Shares "The Stone Throwers (Gone In a Blink)"". exclaim.ca. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ Siddiqui, Tabassum (December 13, 2018). "Shad introduces the characters that populate his Short Story About A War". NOW Magazine. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Quebec artists shine, rap thrives: Highlights from the Polaris Music Prize short list - CityNews Toronto". July 16, 2019.
- ^ "How Shad Is Coping with Isolation: Old NBA Games and Finishing His New Album". exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ Gordon, Holly (May 15, 2020). "How TOBi made 'history for the culture' with his star-studded video for '24 (Toronto Remix)'". CBC Music.
- ^ "Listen: Toronto rapper Shad returns with new track 'Out of Touch (feat. Phoenix Pagliacci)' | Indie88". April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ "Premiere: Shad Laments "Work" (or Lack Thereof) on New Track". Complex. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "Shad Announces New Album 'TAO' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ "CBC's Q replacing Shad as host". CBC News, August 15, 2016.
- ^ "Shad canned from CBC Radio's 'q'". Toronto Sun. The Canadian Press. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ "Original Documentary Series HIP-HOP EVOLUTION Explores the Birth and Far-Reaching Influences of Hip-Hop, September 4 on HBO Canada". Bell Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ "The Peabody 30: Award Winners for 2016". The Peabody Awards. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
- ^ "Canadian documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution wins International Emmy Award". Toronto Star. November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Hip Hop Evolution".
- ^ "Here's When 'Hip-Hop Evolution' Season 4 Will Premiere". exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "Shad: A rapper about so much more than gangstas". Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Shad: The rapper-next-door | The Star". thestar.com. June 6, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Who is Shad? 4 things to know about the new face of Q | The Star". thestar.com. March 11, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "Shad K : Shad K Is Just Beginning In Never Ending Talent". Soul Shine Magazine. June 23, 2006.
- ^ "Arts Convocation includes Juno winner Shad". SFU. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ^ Belanger, Joe (October 25, 2018). "Shad examines world's troubles in powerful new album". The London Free Press. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Shad discography at Discogs
- Shad - Live at Massey Hall - concert film