Dave's Shad Review

There is something about Canadian Hip Hop that prevents its from being as popular and widely accepted as it’s US counter part. Canadian TV went through the same thing recently, as have Canadian movies, and I’m sure other artists as well. Hell Canadian rock/alt scene went through it twice in the last 50 years. I guess there is something Canadian about not craving stories created by our fellow country people – but once we do, we can’t get enough of them. Shad’s TSOL is a perfect example of this for me.

TSOL was very quietly released across the country, pop stations didn’t jump on it right away, our video stations didn’t give spins, but slowly over the last few months it has percolated into mainstream sources (the same way K’naan’s album did this time last year). All I can say about that is – it is more than well deserved for this artist and album and everything it represents.

TSOL has solid production all over it, and that is cause enough for it to stand out alone. “Yaa I Get It” is a banger, and was a phenomenal choice as a first single. Throughout the album the beats don’t disappoint either “Keep Shinning” creates the vibe of female empowerment from the man’s point of view smoothly. “Rose Garden” takes a soul tilt and the production opens it’s arms wide to invite everyone into enjoy the track – and as far as I can tell it's working. There is also a wide diversity of production on TSOL, “At The Same Time” slows down and incorporates a slower, more minimalistic production sound – something that I could've used a little more of on TSOL at times.

For me though Shad’s lyrics are what stand out on TSOL, there is a modern flow, with a wink to his influences. It’s easy to see Shad has been influenced by Kanye West and his style of rapping about self-awareness, but where Shad really shines, is where he gives us his insecurities and his faults without apologizing for them. “Rose Garden” is all about this – “I promise I’ll be with you no matter what the issue, and there will be some issues to address.” As a lead track, Shad lays it on the line for us – proving he’s not here to hide anything of himself on this album. “A Good Name” takes us inside the origins of who he is even more, exploring the personal relationship with his father, his name, and his heritage.

I truly believe this is a solid piece of art from top to bottom, and I hope that it gets the ears it deserves. But as I write this, I’m taken into my own insecurities, and do I like this because it tips its hat to the hip hop I grew up with - Tribe Called Quest, Roots, and The Pharcyde? Or does it sound so different to the hip-hop I listen to now that it’s refreshing? Either way I still believe it’s a solid album top to bottom and that it easily sits in the top three on this list for me and is a real contender for my choice this year.

DAVE’S KEY TRACK: ‘Rose Garden’; ‘A Good Name’; ‘Yaa I Get It’; ‘Keep Shinnig’; ‘At The Same Time’