Shad (rapper)

Shad
Background information
Birth name	Shadrach Kabango
Also known as	Shad K.
Born	(1982-07-18) July 18, 1982 London, Ontario, Canada
Origin	Kenya
Genres	Alternative hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Black Box Music, Decon
Website	www.shadk.com

Shadrach Kabango (born July 18, 1982), better known by his stage name Shad or Shad K., is a Canadian hip hop artist.

Early life

Born in Kenya, of Rwandan parents, Shad was raised in London, Ontario. His mother worked in London as a hospital lab technician; his father, as a machinist. He attended London Central Secondary School.

Career

Debut

His debut album When This Is Over (2005) was self-made, financed with the $17,500 he won from 91.5 The Beat's Rhythm of the Future talent competition during his time as an undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University. The album was recognized for Shad's self-deprecating lyrics 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.

2007–present

In 2007, he was signed by Black Box Recordings and released his second album, The Old Prince. In 2008, The Old Prince received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize. The album was also nominated for two MuchMusic Video Awards. Shad released his third album, TSOL, in 2010. TSOL was nominated for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize, a 2011 MuchMusic Video Award, and won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards. 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."

In June 2013, Shad released a collaborative EP with Skratch Bastid entitled The Spring Up. Shad's fourth album, Flying Colours, was released on October 15, 2013. This album was also nominated for a Juno Award in 2014, and is a shortlisted nominee for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.

Style and influences

Music critics have compared his style to that of K-os, Aesop Rock and of Common, and also to a "London (England) sound circa 1990".

Personal life

Shad is bilingual, speaking English and French. He holds a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a master's degree in liberal studies from Simon Fraser University.

Discography

Studio albums

• When This Is Over (2005)
• The Old Prince (2007)
• TSOL (2010)
• Flying Colours (2013)

Mixtapes

• La Cassette Mixée (2007)
• Besides (2011)

EPs

• Two Songs (2011) with Dallas Green
• Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness (2012)
• The Spring Up (2013) with Skratch Bastid

Singles

• "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 Aint Over" (2012)
• "Stylin'" (2013)
• "Fam Jam (Fe Sum Immigrins)" (2013)

Guest appearances

• Promise - "Shy Guy" from More Than Music (2008)
• Blue Scholars - "The Dawn Song" from Bayani: Redux (2009)
• Hey Ocean! - "Vagabond" (2009)
• Grand Analog - "Electric City" from Metropolis Is Burning (2009)
• Wax Romeo - "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)
• k-os - "Spraying My Pen" from Black on Blonde (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)

External links

• Official website
• Shad discography at Discogs