08/08/2026
Toronto-based, socially-conscious rapper Shad has been at the top of the rap game for over 20 years, covering a variety of themes including identity, politics, and faith. When you think about the best of the best Canadian MCs, he has to be towards the top of the list!
📻 Shad got his big start when his sister entered him into a talent contest put on by 91.5 THE BEAT, a local radio station in Kitchener, ON. The prize money and publicity from winning the competition allowed him to finance the making of his debut album, ‘When This Is Over’.
🏆 Since then, he has continued to release records that are acclaimed by fans and critics alike. His 2010 album ‘TSOL’ won the JUNO for Rap Recording of the Year, beating out Drake’s ‘Thank Me Later’. Five of his albums have also been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, a record number of shortlist nominations for an artist.
📀 Shad’s latest album, ‘Start Anew’, dropped at the end of 2025, and was longlisted for this year’s Polaris Prize! As the title suggests, the album looks at new beginnings, and in particular the difficult path of confronting bad endings and making the jump into unknown territory.
😄 The track ‘Happiness’, featuring jazz/soul vocalist Chantae Cann, has a smooth and fresh beat, brightened with jazz flourishes on the keys and a warm, groovy bassline. Written on a day off in Vancouver with his live band, Shad ruminates on how happiness is often just on the other side of loss, be it from losing your ego, or losing the self-doubt you may have.
🎟️ You can next see Shad perform in Trillium Park, Toronto, at the Wavelength Music Series Summer Thing on August 16th, as well as Bells Larsen and Sister Ray!
📡 Listen to ‘Happiness’ and more on this week’s episode of Julian Taylor’s Jukebox!
🚨 Available On Demand or on your local broadcasting station at the link below!
🔗 linktr.ee/thejukebox
