The Audacity of Dope

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.

There are only a few cities that I haven’t been to that I would love to visit and Toronto is definitely one of them.  Big up to all T-Dot massive.

Other cities that need Hyphenated visits:  Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Stockholm, and New York.  Yes, that’s right.  I’ve been in the music biz for 10 years and alive for 28, but haven’t been to NYC yet.  Shrug.

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.

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!

ManifestoTV caught up with Shad for his recent Toronto performance and also shot a quick interview with the dopest MC out right now.  Stop sleepin’!

Shad K is back with the second video off his stellar TSOL release, this time around “Rose Garden” gets the visual treatment.  As usual, another great piece.  Check out all things Shad related on his site, including tour dates, and Canadians can cop the album here or here.

Northwest people: Shad will be performing at the Biltmore on June 3rd in Vancouver and I highly recommend you come through if you can make it.  For my fellow unlucky Americans, I’ll probably bring back a couple CD’s for y’all…so if you want a copy of the album, place your order before the trip…

As I mentioned during this week’s SNSS recap, there’s no MC in the game today that makes me wear out the rewind button like Shad.  His music represents pretty much everything I look for as a listener: skills, quality production, intelligence, and above all, truthful and genuine expression through this art form.  His last record, The Old Prince Still Lives At Home, is a classic album and his new project, TSOL, drops on May 25th (at least in his native Canada…and I assume online at the least for us Americans).

I’ve been lucky enough to vibe with TSOL for a minute and it’s another flawless release from Shad.  Now you can listen to it in its entirety thanks to Spinner, complete with a track by track breakdown from the man himself.  What are you waiting for??? LISTEN HERE!

Oh, and if anyone out there isn’t convinced, I don’t know a soul who wasn’t an instant fan after seeing this:

We played the hell outta this record on SNSS when it first dropped and I’m glad to see some visuals finally come out.  I love that the biggest rapper in the game these days came from doing verses on joints like this.  You have to respect/enjoy that.

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…

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.