Shad on Sound Session (2014) (video)

Posted in Artists, Interviews, Sound Session on October 4th, 2014 by Hyphen

One of the best writers in hip-hop, one of our favorite artists, and one of our best friends, the incomparable Shad, visited Sound Session to speak with J. Moore and I recently. We discussed a variety of topics, exploring what it’s like coming up in Canada making his style of music, winning the Rap Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) over his countryman Drake, and how he chooses to promote himself in the US market. He also spoke about his last album, Flying Colours, and his plans to take the follow up project in a new direction, before running through a lightning round of questions covering 90’s sit-coms, left handed basketball players, his favorite sneakers, and more.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Shad represents everything I love about hip-hop and I cosign literally every song/message he’s put out into the world.  Very talented, very humble, and very intelligent, I wish more artists would follow in his footsteps.

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Shad – Progress (Part 1: American Pie, Part 2: The Future is Here) (video)

Posted in Artists, Music Videos on September 20th, 2014 by Hyphen

These are the kinds of songs that simply put Shad on a level that few other artists can touch.  Truly next level in his message and his delivery.  Wow.

Words from the director, Justin Broadbent:

“The death of music is similar to the death of visual art. The online, numb, browsing experience has (naturally) started to effect the current state of art. We’ve become a Tumblr’d culture, over Googled, educated and bored in 4 seconds or shorter.

“I made a non-music video for Shad’s “Progress”. It’s a website. It’s a comment on the state of art and also maybe the only video that could attach to such an intensely accurate and poignant song for our generation. It is like the movie credits to now. Tumblr on.”

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Shad – Flying Colours (preview)

Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Music Videos, Videos on July 4th, 2013 by Hyphen

Similar to my favorite “freestyle” video of all time, Shad went in on the “Grammy Family” beat for about 7 minutes and absolutely murdered it.  So many bars, so much knowledge.  Best writer in the game, imo.  Peep the lyrics here.

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Shad – It Ain’t Over (video)

Posted in Artists, Music Videos on November 1st, 2012 by Hyphen

Slow day here at the office for my day job, so I figured I’d catch up on some Hyphen emails and then BOOM. I see the new video from my homey SK in the inbox!  Another great one off his old school inspired EP, Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness, which you can download here.

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Shad – Besides (mixtape)

Posted in Artists, Mixtapes on January 16th, 2012 by Hyphen

I’ve been meaning to post this up for a bit, but as usual, better late than never.  Besides is a collection of Shad’s recent guest appearances and remixes, all seamlessly blended by the one and only DJ T-Lo.  The best writer in the game, IMO.

Download here.

Seattle: Come to Sol’s Yours Truly release party on Friday, January 20th, at Neumos to see Shad perform live!  (and cop Sol’s new album too!)

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Illume Sessions: Shad in Rwanda (video)

Posted in Artists, Live Performances, Other Peoples' Interviews, Videos on December 10th, 2011 by Hyphen

Speaking of Shad, here’s a great mini-documentary about a recent trip to his family’s homeland, Rwanda. As I always tell MC’s, and really any young people in general, think global, not local.

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Shad – Bearings (TEDx video)

Posted in Artists, Random Ish, Videos on November 19th, 2011 by Hyphen

And while we’re on the subject of TED talks, here’s the homey Shad discussing “Bearings” and how he stays focused on the right path.  If your favorite rapper couldn’t get up and do one of these talks about a substantive topic, and do it coherently, you’re listening to the wrong people.

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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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it’s coming…

Posted in Artists, Videos on April 8th, 2010 by Hyphen

That’s right y’all…Shad, aka one of the top 5 MC’s doing it today (no hyperbole), has a new album on the way.  You’re not ready, so get ready.

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