Shad – Keep Shining (video)

Posted in Artists, Music Videos on February 9th, 2011 by Hyphen

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.

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Jay-Z and Cornel West at the New York Public Library

Posted in Art, Artists, Other Peoples' Interviews, Videos on November 20th, 2010 by Hyphen

I’ve been watching Hov make the rounds to damn near every media outlet in NYC over the past week, but I wasn’t really sold that I wanted to check out Decoded until this interview at the New York Public Library.  It’s almost 2 hours, so it’s certainly long, but if you can watch it, I highly recommend it.  There’s really good, insightful commentary from Jay, Cornel West, and Paul Holdengraber throughout.

Shout to Shad’s manager, G, who sent it over and summed it up nicely:

There is a video link below.  It’s not short.  But it’s great.

It reminded me about how important the work that we do is.  We are quite literally changing the future.

For the remaining history of this world, people who love really good food, will undoubtedly stumble upon the creative output of our friends.  I think that’s f*cking incredible, and I often forget…to remember it.

It was great to revisit Jay-Z as an artist…and it was great to see Cornel West attempt to evoke just a bit more enlightenment in a person who he clearly has a ton of respect for already.

This video also made me realize how important it is to have a Cornel West Uncle at the dinner table.

Anyways, here she is.  Dig in someday.

Now…who’s gonna cop Decoded for me for Christmas?

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Shad – We, Myself & I (video)

Posted in Art, Artists, Music Videos on September 20th, 2010 by Hyphen

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…

chorus

Are you kidding me?  Super dope.

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Shad to release TSOL on Decon in the US

Posted in Artists, Other Peoples' Interviews, Videos on August 4th, 2010 by Hyphen

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?

Support real art and good people!

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Paul Dateh is a G

Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Videos on May 22nd, 2010 by Hyphen

You may remember Paul from his work with the homies Inverse, but it’s clear from this video that he’s far more than just a dope violin player.  Woah.

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Shad – Yaa I Get It (video & mp3)

Posted in Artists, Joints, Music Videos on April 22nd, 2010 by Hyphen

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.

Shad – “Yaa I Get It”

Spread the mp3 to your people and share the good word on Shad…

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Shad freestyle from 2006

Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Videos on October 30th, 2009 by Hyphen

From the homey G:

This is some old footage from Shad’s 2006 performance at the Beats, Breaks & Culture festival. He was opening up for Cadence Weapon in the Brigantine Room at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.  There were some technical difficulties with the decks in the middle of the performance, so Shad dropped a free, and I started handing him stuff that I found by the stage.

I love ish like this.  Reminds me of simpler times.

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Shad ft. Jermiside & Destruments – The Calling (video)

Posted in Artists, Music Videos on October 24th, 2009 by Hyphen

This might be the most beautiful music video I’ve seen in a minute, and I watch a ton at the day job.  I don’t believe Shad and the homies are using this as an official music video, but it would get my vote.  Great stuff.

Grab the EP this track is on right here and NYC folks better not miss Shad’s first performance in the Big Apple:

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Shad – Compromise (video)

Posted in Artists, Music Videos on July 4th, 2009 by Hyphen

The newest in a series of excellent videos from Shad’s The Old Prince, which was just released here in the U.S. at the end of June.  Do…not…sleep!

Swiped from Shad’s bloggy-blog.

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Shad – Warped Tour Freestyle

Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Videos on July 1st, 2009 by Hyphen

Man…I’ve been trying to tell you about Shad.  This little freestyle he recorded off the dome in the back of his Warped Tour bus with DJ TLO and Dallas Green is just another example of the incredible talent dude has.  Remember this too?

Be sure to follow along with Shad’s Warped Tour experience over on his site and you better catch his set when he comes through your town:

6/26/09    Pomona, CA
6/27/09    San Francisco, CA
6/28/09    Ventura, CA
6/30/09    Phoenix, AZ
7/1/09    Las Cruces, NM
7/2/09    San Antonio, TX
7/3/09    Houston, TX
7/5/09    Dallas, TX
7/7/09    Indianapolis, IN
7/8/09    Pittsburgh, PA
7/9/09    Cleveland, OH
7/10/09    Toronto, ON
7/11/09    Montreal, QC
7/12/09    Hartford, CT
7/14/09    Columbia, MD
7/15/09    Scranton, PA
7/16/09    Buffalo, NY
7/17/09    Camden, NJ
7/18/09    Uniondale, NY
7/19/09    Oceanport, NJ
7/21/09    Boston, MA
7/22/09    Virginia Beach, VA
7/23/09    Charlotte, NC
7/24/09    Orlando, FL
7/25/09    Miami, FL
7/26/09    St.Petersburg, FL
7/28/09    Atlanta, GA
7/29/09    Cincinnati, OH
7/30/09    Milwaukee, WI
7/31/09    Detroit, MI
8/1/09    Chicago, IL
8/2/09    Minneapolis, MN
8/3/09    St.Louis, MO
8/4/09    Kansas City, KS
8/7/09    Boise, ID
8/8/09    Salt Lake City, UT
8/9/09    Denver, CO
8/12/09    Calgary, AB
8/14/09    Vancouver, BC
8/15/09    Seattle, WA
8/16/09    Portland, OR
8/19/09    Fresno, CA
8/20/09    Mountain View, CA
8/21/09    Sacramento, CA
8/22/09    San Diego, CA
8/23/09    Los Angeles, CA

Oh…and The Old Prince is officially in stores now in the U.S.!  [Diddy] COP THAT Cop That cop that [/Diddy]

What up G!

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