Shad's A Prince With An Old School Vibe

With the release of his sophomore album, The Old Prince, Shadrach Kabango (a.k.a. Shad) is garnering a lot of attention. It's partly because the 25 year old from London, Ont. is still a university student, but it's mostly because he has an authentic flow that's reminiscent of hip-hop's message era.

"It's weird because I wasn't really around for that era — I mean I was like nine or something, but for some reason it creeps into my style," says Shad. "I don't really know how or why, but it's definitely there.

"I like to put all the words and the ideas out in a pretty clear, plain fashion. There's not too much cryptic that's going on. It's very conversational... that's just what comes to me naturally, I think, and it's sort of like an old school kind of vibe, but it just comes naturally."

Shad released When This is Over while still completing his undergrad degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. in 2005. He's grown up since then, and so has his music.

"With this album, I think I got a little bit close to who I am through my music — like being able to express who I am through my music just a little bit more clearly and honestly and succinctly," Shad asserts. "I think that's the biggest progression musically between the last album and this one. All around I just feel more comfortable and… able to recognize when I've hit all my ideas properly."

The dichotomy of The Old Prince is its most endearing quality. On one hand, we get a glimpse of Shad's playful and humorous side on "The Old Prince Still Lives At Home." Then, on "Brother (Watching)," he hits you with a little consciousness.

"The Old Prince is an idea that came to mind probably about a year before I started making the album, and it was just like an image that came to mind that I thought was kind of funny and serious at the same time," Shad explains.

"It's just this image of this guy who should be king because he's old, but he's still a prince and doesn't really know why, and I just thought it was a pretty accurate metaphor for a lot of things — maybe even humanity in general, the fact that we all have a purpose but so rarely do we get there because of who knows why. We just don't."

Shadrach is a Biblical name that symbolizes standing up for your values, and the artist believes that's what his music is ultimately all about.

"Everything I'd want people to know about me I put out there in my music. My music is a reflection of me, my experiences, my life and my ideas, and I try to put as much of it out there as I can. Anything else that's left, I either consciously or subconsciously would rather keep to myself."

Shad is opening these shows for Classified:

Feb. 4 Montreal, QC @ Les Saints
Feb. 14 Charlottetown, PEI @ The Wave (University Of Prince Edward Island)
Feb. 16-17 Halifax, NS @ The Marquee Club