Shad’s lead single from his upcoming Flying Colours album. I mean…I don’t even have to say anything at this point. Dope beat from Skratch Bastid, smooth hook from Sox, and Shad does what Shad does. That second verse though. Damn.
A few days ago, we all watched in agony as the Black Eyed Peas performed during half time of the Super Bowl and following that debacle, I had numerous debates with friends centered upon the notion of authenticity and “selling out.” Without rehashing those conversations and instead to take it another direction, it’s safe to say that Shad represents everything that I look for in a MC in 2011. Obviously, the skills are there, but lots of people can rhyme. It’s another thing to not just speak on “real” issues, but to do so in an intelligent, thought provoking, and positive manner.
“Be the change you want to see in the world,” and take pride in the music you create, consume, and generally identify with. Would you be comfortable playing the music you listen to for kids in your neighborhood? Your parents? Your coworkers? If not, you should reevaluate your consumption. This isn’t to say that you have to listen to nothing but positive music, but you must be able to explain why you appreciate the art you associate yourself with, at least on some level. Assuming, of course, you consider yourself a music lover. If you’re just a listener and not a lover, carry on.
Lyrics: (I don’t like to start verses with “I” you know but um…)
v-1
Well theres no I in team
But theres a I in win
And every guy wanna win
So folks is eyein him
The I in pride
They say pride puts the I in sin
Puts self at the centre
“I and I” come in
Cuz I am imperfect
None of us is ron men
Pls be my 3rd eye
When the light gets dim
Even my story’s not mine
Where do I begin?
Not with I, Im reminded
See the I in him – 8
In my enemy especially
Him and I are twins
gotta love him as I love I
Him and I are kin
Take the thing
Out my own eye
Then See if the word is where world
begin
then at the end of the word
Friend is where I end
And all men become I, and I them
So Who am I then?
Just dust in the wind
With a pen and a grin
im goin in
you goin in?
im goin in like yes
chorus-
we all in agreement
if you hear the song and you feel it
put your palms to the ceiling like yes
(x2)
v-2
what can I say for myself?
Where im at aint where I stationed myself
So im grateful I do okay for myself
I wanna do better for yall
Im afraid of myself
God said you trust me
Now have some faith in yourself
when I made my first record
I would say to myself
Im glad to share this
I don’t wanna just play for myself
The thing with rappin is
it helps me get away from myself
And put these thoughts and feelings out
So they don’t stay on the shelf
stay in my soul
cuz I find
The more I stay to myself
the less I find the real me
the more i
stray from myself
and cant to relate to no else
I don’t have to
make a way for myself
but make my thoughts
point away
from myself
and what else…
chorus
v-3
We are
Greater than the sum of us
All greater than some of us
Greater than each piece or part
We are a body
An army
greater than
any single art piece
And love in our hearts
We are who we are
Behind doors
In secret, In our deep depths
And recesses
We arent free yet
We are how we treat
Our sick folks and widows
The rich with broken hearts
The Broke and the crippled
The soul that’s weak
And we arent what we eat
We are what comes out
Of our mouths
When we speak
Most of yall don’t
speak truth
ya cant play me
Playboy
Im no kid
I don’t play wi
we are parents
cherished
Proud and embarrassed
Weve come a long way
but we’re still not there yet
and we don’t always get along
me myself and i
when we do
we in tune like the song singin…
Yessir! It’s been a long time coming, but Shad and crew are bringing one of the best albums of the year, TSOL, to the US for an official release on Decon Media on October 5th. Here’s a little video they shot to introduce SK to the US, but I mean, if you’re on TAOD, you’ve been up on him…right?
Oh hell yes. As referenced here, Shad’s new album, TSOL, is on the way and I couldn’t be more excited for a project this year. I think the only other rapper that makes me rewind for lyrics as much as Shad is Lupe, and y’all already know I’m a Lupe Stan. If you aren’t up on Shad, don’t worry, there’s room on the bandwagon. But um…get on NOW.
I think Shad is my favorite discovery of this past year. I know he’s been doing his thing for years, but apparently I was sleeping cause I just caught on to him at the end of 2007. Better late than never though and in fact, this video is from back in July, but the new homey G just shot it over and I was floored. This dude is crazy.
Be on the lookout for big things from Shad in ’09. He’ll be at SXSW in March and on the Warped Tour all year, including a Seattle stop in August. Prior to that, it looks like he’ll be out here in the Pacific NW rocking shows, so I’ll keep y’all posted when things get announced. In the meantime, be sure to cop The Old Prince asap.