The Audacity of Dope

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.

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.”

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.

*REWIND*

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.

The homey, and still my vote for the best writer in the game, Shad, just dropped a new EP with Skratch Bastid (one of the dopest DJ’s in the world, if you’re sleeping).  Download the quickstrike right here:

The Spring Up is the result of fortunate timing, grapefruit Perrier, a shared high school obsession with Outkast’s Aquemeni, and a couple of sessions at Skratch Bastid’s Toronto studio this April. The 5 track collection marks a moment in time for the pair; embodying the spirit of Spring and also serving as a sort of prelude to Shad’s upcoming full-length, to which Skratch Bastid also contributes. The collection features a production assist from DJ Jazzy Jeff, and a turn on the mic from compatriot Cadence Weapon.

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.

Quick strike EP from the homey Shad as he celebrates his birthday.  5 tracks, all sampling classic songs from his childhood.  Along with Lupe, SK is my favorite writer in the game.  Shout to my guys G and T-Lo as well.  Download this immediately!

Alternate download here.

A few weeks ago, Shad performed at the Capitol Hill Block Party here in Seattle and his super talented DJ, T-Lo, sadly wasn’t able to make the trip. I was honored to step behind the tables and help keep the show moving in his absence, though I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being on stage. Just not for me.

Shad, on the other hand, is a natural. Above is a quick clip of him performing “Compromise,” a great record off his classic The Old Prince album.  If you missed the official video for the track, peep it here.

Shout to the homey G for always giving me the heads up on good music from his hometown, Toronto.  Why is the T-Dot killing it so much these days?!

Any record using the classic Dilla “Let’s Ride” drums is always going to get my head nodding (shout to my guy Tunji too), and I so desperately need more of this grown, genuine, soulful music in my world.

Shout to G for sending this through and explaining that it’s footage from a Valentine’s Day (the best day…#birthdayswag) event in Vancouver.  Although he did include the phrase “Out Of Love, Pt. 3” in the email…hmmm….could we see a continuation of the series?

Part 1 (2005):

Part 2 (2007):