Shad

Born in Kenya to Rwandan parents and raised in London, Ontario, Shad developed in the early 2000s a rap sound rooted in the Canadian hip-hop scene, blending introspective writing, everyday narratives, and social commentary. After studying business in Canada, Shad self-released his debut album, When This Is Over, in 2005, followed by The Old Prince in 2007 and TSOL in 2010, establishing a style defined by boom-bap instrumentals, soul and jazz influences, and frequent use of humor and storytelling. With Flying Colours in 2013, then A Short Story About a War in 2018 and Tao in 2021, Shad deepened an aesthetic that weaves together reflections on identity, faith, migration, and inequality while maintaining an accessible melodic approach. On stage, the rapper performs mainly in North America and Europe, often accompanied by DJ T.LO, and collaborates with producers such as Skratch Bastid. Alongside his albums, Shad has stood out as a host and documentarian focused on the history of hip-hop, extending into the media the analytical perspective already present in his music.