TSOL

Shad is certainly no stranger to critical praise, but he's never let his presence in the spotlight affect his art. His fan base has graciously received both of his previous albums, but it was the Canadian release of his third LP, TSOL, that piqued new levels of international interest, making evident a need for an extension to other audiences. The son of Rwandan immigrants, Shadrach Kabango's unique first-world experience informs an appreciation for his role as a musician. Born in Kenya and relocated to Canada shortly after, Shad relished his adolescence growing up outside of Toronto where he became fluent in French and English. It was during these formative years that he was initially exposed to hip-hop culture, awe-stricken by the music of true-school graduates like Common, Rass Kass and Outkast. This trans-cultural upbringing rendered a well-rounded young adult, educated on hardship and cognizant of the many opportunities he had been afforded. The initial singles from his latest offering, TSOL, are a testament to his calculated reproach that traverses soulful arrangements with the deft awareness of the rap gods before him. On "Rose Garden" he weighs the convenience of blissful ignorance against his burden of personal truth, stating, "The same things that float your boat can capsize it" and "I know too much and I owe too much to let it rest." Later, on "Yaa I Get It," Shad seizes the opportunity to flip introspective syllables in the face of a riotous brass ensemble, rapping "So many sold their souls, my sole ambition is to hold solid, soul calm and bright as the solar system," all the while nodding knowingly to an oft looked-over pocket of Canadian genius. Northern neighbors Brendan Canning and Lisa Lobsinger of Broken Social Scene add instrumental flourishes to "Lucky 1's" and Canadian hip-hop legend Classified produces the proud "A Good Name."