Shad examines the world's problems in a powerful new album

In the world of Shad, the truth does not only free you, it is also bulletproof.

At least, it's the hope of Shadrach Kabango, expressed in the last song of his new album, A Short Story About a War, which will be released in stores on Friday.

This is his first rap album in five years and will be promoted on his first four-year tour with a stopover in his hometown of London, Ontario on November 2nd.

The tour will take Shad to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, then to Canada for dates in Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa, before heading to the west coast, with stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. Toronto for two shows at Great Hall on December 14th and 15th.

It's a concept album that marks a great start for the former CBC Q series host and the HBO Hip-Hop Evolution documentary series, which won the Emmy and Peabody Awards.

The album addresses a long list of world problems, from war to migration, through the environment, politics, racism, hate, violence and greed with titles such as Sniper , The Revolution / The Establishment, Stone Throwers (Gone in a Blink). , The Crazy Pt 1, Peace / War, and The Crazy Pt 2 (Water).

"It's very different from my other projects. . . I love to surprise people, capture their attention and imagination, "said Shad, Canada's best-known rapper, unnamed Drake, during a phone interview.

"I started thinking about this idea about five years ago and it was always there and fresh when I entered the studio (about 18 months ago). . . This is the story of a fictional war in the desert and a character (the madman) who picks up a bullet in the sand and says, "That's what you're all afraid of?"

Shad examines a number of issues and problems in the songs – music driven by tension, anger, fear and sense of urgency – in different styles of hip hop, including the trap, the funk and Jazz.

The Madman is visited in three songs, giving the listener clear tones a comfort and a break from the heavy moments.

"It's about thinking about all the tensions in our world, what it takes to live peacefully in this world, to find love in the world," Shad explained.

"The fool gives you hope, a radically different perspective. He does not adhere to all the violence. He asks us to consider: to what extent does fear dictate our way of life and to what extent is this fear caused by illusion?

"I think we all live with a lot of fear in our hearts and that dictates how we deal with each other, how we talk to each other, how we spend our money, as if we were in combat mode or theft all the time, which is what happens when we are in constant fear or under stress. "

Artists and guest engineers include Kaytranada and Lido Pimienta, winner of the Polaris Award, Tim (2 years) Hill of A Tribe Called Red, Vancouver-based rock band Yukon Blonde, and veterans of the rap. Toronto Ian Kamau, Eternia and DJ T Lo.

Shad has never been afraid to explore difficult problems in his music. This is one of the reasons he was also honored with three Juno nominations for his last three rap albums, The Old Prince (2007), TSOL (2010), which won the Juno Award. rap record of the year) and Flying Colors (2013). The three albums were selected for the Polaris Music Prize.

In 2016, Shad also released a pop-rock album, Adult Contempt, under the pseudonym Your Boy Tony Braxton.

But he comes back to rap with a lot to say about the 13 titles, even a few words for US President Donald Trump, which Shad sees as a symptom of the world's problems rather than a cause and a "master to play about it." ".

A short story about a war is not just a good album; it's a powerful and important job perfectly synchronized for those hectic times.

Born in Kenya to Rwandan parents who escaped the genocide of 1990 but returned to live in retirement, Shad grew up in London and recorded his debut album, When This Is Over (2005), by funding the project with $ 17,500. He has won a radio talent contest.

In 2015, Shad took over from CBC Radio 1's talk show on pop culture q after the departure of Jian Ghomeshi, a disgraced presenter, who was fired for allegations of harbadment or badual badault (then acknowledged).

Shad's concert lasted a little over 16 months, with critics complaining that his interviews were too scripted.

"I had a good time with q," said Shad. "I wanted a challenge at the time and it was a challenge and I was able to work with great and smart people. I left very proud.

The Hip Hop Evolution, now distributed by Netflix, documents the history of hip hop and is now in its second season, having received critical acclaim and numerous awards from the Canadian Screen Awards.

The world of Shad has changed dramatically in recent years. He married his wife Sheilagh in the summer of 2016 and became a father with the birth of his daughter Amara in early October. The family lives west of Toronto.

"That's great," said Shad. "She's not restless or anything, which leaves us a break for beginner parents. And we have a lot of support from our families. I thought there would be a lot more chaos, but it was pretty good. "

During the tour, Shad will travel with a percussionist, a DJ and a synthesizer. He added that he was eager to perform in front of his friends and London fans and that he would play selections from his music catalog and some tunes of the new alum.

"It feels good," said Shad after taking the road. "I love creative challenges, moving and touching people with my music is my greatest joy."

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