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Music

Shads Bragg-ing rights

SHAD with D-SISIVE at the Opera House (735 Queen East), Saturday (June 12). $15. rotate.com.

You may think of Shad as a savvy rapper influenced by smart hip-hop acts like Common, Ras Kass and OutKast, but you’d be surprised at some of his influences.

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Shad’s work is often defined by his political convictions and deep personal introspection. At The Same Time, one of the more serious, guitar-driven cuts from his new album, TSOL (Maple), has a noticeable punk message.

“That was largely inspired by Billy Bragg. I’m a big fan of his work,” says Shad from his Vancouver kitchen. “I think hip-hop changes on its own – every day, month and year. The range of influences is constantly growing.”

TSOL sees Shad’s slightly nasal twang riding comfortably over loose snare drums and truncated soul music samples. His bouncy, sometimes erratic tempos and clever lyrics sit smartly among subtle string flourishes and spacey synth lines.

But Shad wasn’t always sure the album would work out so well.

“I’d spent so much time recording it that I was aware of every single fault,” he says with a hint of relief in his voice. “I’d forgotten everything good about it.”

Self-analysis is key to Shad’s songwriting he makes sure to avoid the corniness that often mars playful, thought-provoking hip-hop.

On A Good Name, for example, he turns a mention of his name’s etymology into a verbal epic by painting a picture of a slave determined to ascend to his rightful throne as king. The metaphors here are abundant, to say the least.

“I try not to get overly serious when writing my music,” he says. “I consider the audience and their listening experience. I do tackle serious things, but I think people can appreciate where I’m coming from.”

music@nowtoronto.com

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