Music
Press
"Shad a.k.a. Shadrach Kabango is on the verge of what most people refer to as "blowing up."
"When This Is Over" has raised the bar for what a debut hip hop album should sound like. Introspective, complex yet playful lyrics, coupled with an "everyman" flow and killer production make for an enjoyable ride."
**** - www.toflo.com
"One of Canada's hottest up-and-coming musicians" - www.torontolife.com by Jason McBride
"When This Is Over is certainly money well-spent and demonstrates that his win (in the 2004 Rhythm of the Future unsigned talent competition) was definitely deserved for this rarest of rappers - one who is talented but humble." - Exclaim! (www.exclaim.ca) - by Thomas Quinlan
"one of the best indie hip-hop albums out this year" - www.smother.net
link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT6JF_e6_7s
- Much Music
"Shadrach Kabango, the guitar playing emcee w independently distributed album
When This Is Over is immediately unforgettable..." - Dan Bergeron - Pound Magazine
"This kid Shad K comes out of nowhere (also known as London, Ontario) with an unf**kwitable debut disc that will reaffirm your faith in Canadian hip-hop. On second thought, scratch that; he’ll reaffirm your faith in hip-hop… period." - eclectic.dyslexic magazine (www.eclecticdyslexic.com)
"Shadrach Kabango, aka Shad, is one of the city's (Toronto) most promising rappers, with a crisp delivery that breaks away from the pack of 50 Cent mumblers and harks back to hip-hop's golden era" - Globe and Mail - by Guy Dixon
Score - 96
Shad scored top marks in virtually every hip-hop skill set, proving he could think on his feet with deadly freestyles, rock with a live band or backed solely by a DJ. He drew huge ovations from the crowd and had some of the best merch of the festival. - Chart Magazine - Matt Semansky
When This is Over: -- Feb 2-8 2006
"Shad uncoils image-rich ponderances on the state of the world, punctuated with pointed punchlines. When This Is Over sounds like the start of something big." NNNN Critic's Pick
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Six-string rap: Canuck hiphop threat Shad sticks with guitar -- Feb 16-22 2006
Feature article and interview by Tim Perlich:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-02-16/music_vibes.php
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Review of Sadat X with Ultra Magnus and Shad K: -- Nov 3-9 2005
"Shad-K , armed with an electric acoustic guitar, drew people up from the back with a genuinely exciting set"
NNNN
- NOW Magazine
Discography
-- TM Juke - "Melodic Stroll" - 12" Single (Released on Tru Thoughts Records 2004 - performed with the group "Bread and Water")
-- Shad - "When This is Over" (Released Independently in June 2005)
-- Shad also appears on Mumbles "Strictly Undergound" Compilation (October 2005), and the "Queen Aritzia" Winter Compilation 1 (December 2005)
Current Radio Singles: "I Get Down" (When This is Over 2005). In rotation on 91.5FM in K-W, 106.9 in London, occasional play on 94.9FM in London, 88.1FM and 105.5FM in Toronto, and CHUO in Ottawa, CBC radio Canada
Photos
Bio
Shad (Shadrach Kabango) is a bright, up-and-coming emcee from the unlikely city of London, Ontario.
In August of 2004, Shad emerged emphatically onto the scene during the annual Rhythm of the Future unsigned talent competition put on by 91.5 FM “The Beat” -- Kitchener/Waterloo's most popular urban music station – winning 1st prize in the solo male category. The contest, judged by esteemed representatives from Universal Records and the Canadian Urban Music Association, awarded each winner an impressive prize of $17 500 to be put towards recording time and resources. In the following months, Shad worked diligently to oversee all aspects of his independent debut release, entitled When This Is Over, while completing the final year of his undergraduate degree.
Shad’s debut has already garnered rave reviews for its honest and clever lyrics and its distinct musical aesthetic from such well-respected publications as NOW magazine, Exclaim, Eye Weekly, and the Globe and Mail.
The young rapper currently maintains a healthy schedule of performances to promote the new album. His reputation a performer has grown rapidly based on recent sold out shows in London and Toronto, and impressive opening spots for such artists as Common, Kardinal Offishall, Sadat X, Classified, and others. His engaging and dynamic performances showcase an energetic live personality, entertaining freestyle skills, and the unique ability to play guitar and rap simultaneously. Most recently, Shad's on-stage abilities were lauded at the 2006 Canadian Music Week Festival, where his showcase performance received a score of 96 from the influential Chart Attack magazine CMW report cards - the second-highest rating of any artist in the festival.
With increasing buzz surrounding his surprising debut record and memorable performances, the future certainly appears bright for this charismatic and creative emcee.
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