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Music

Shad

SHAD at the Opera House, October 19. All ages. $18-$28. PDR, RT, SS, TM. See listing.


In June, Shad popped up in a Boiler Room freestyle-rap cypher during NXNE. In July he was named host of this month’s Polaris Prize gala. In August he performed at Grand Analog’s Drake Hotel show.

This flurry of Toronto activity by the Vancouver-based emcee, born Shadrach Kabango, felt very anticipatory… like, hmm: aren’t we due for an album soon?

Sure enough, Flying Colours (Black Box), his fourth full-length, streets October 15, though it’s very much done already.

“That’s the worst part,” says the emcee in a Toronto hotel lobby. “You have to put it out into the world before you feel like it’s done, so yeah – counting down the days.”

No need for anxiety.

His last album, after all, 2010’s TSOL, was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize. At the 2011 Junos he scooped the rap recording of the year award from Canada’s most famous rapper of all time. (“It’s not something you wake up expecting,” he says of that surprise win.)

And Flying Colours might be his best yet. Singles Stylin’ and Fam Jam are full of cutting social commentary and cultural celebration delivered with Shad’s characteristic humour. Progress is “a sketch of the last 50 years” delivered epic-style in two parts over seven minutes. The semi-autobiographical He Say She Say is one of the saddest love songs in hip-hop, hitting close to home for any first-half-of-the-80s baby.

But Shad’s got a little work to do before the release. On September 23, he co-hosts the Polaris Prize gala.

“I’m not great at talking without a beat in the background,” he quips. “But I think the fact that it’s the Polaris – it’s a lot of community people I know already – makes it a lot easier.”

Judging by his freestyling skills, we think he’ll be fine. Best re-familiarize himself with the setting. In 2014 he may find himself on the short list.

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