Rollin’ & Scratchin’

Wednesday night at the Mod Club marked the beginning of Toronto’s annual Manifesto Festival. Each year, hip hop, R&B, Soul and Funk artists gather from all over the world to come and perform at various venues throughout our city. To kick it all off this year, local buzzed about rapper, Shad K played a headlining set from his new album, ‘The Old Prince’.

If you thought conscious hip hop was lost and dead, think again. This guy reminded me of the days when I used to go see rappers like Aceyalone and Gift of Gab. Complete with a full band, tight DJ, and some seriously clever raps, Shad proved himself worthy of a Polaris Prize Nomination and a Pitchfork nod. Check out his ode to The Fresh Prince with “Old Prince Still Lives at Home’ video. Kind of reminds me of Thirstin Howell III’s ‘I Still Live With My Mom’s’. Something I can relate to (Ahem).

And a few tracks for your listening pleasure…check out Shad’s De La-esque ‘I Don’t Like To’.

Shad - I Don’t Like To

Aceyalone - Mic Check

September 19th, 2008 by Craig