Shad: "The Old Prince Still Lives At Home" Review by Matt Durham

Self deprecation has always been a part of certain strains of hip-hop. Among the waves of artists who rap about blunts, broads, and Bentleys, there has always been a select few whose subject matter has always leaned towards the simpler things in life.

Canadian rapper Shad has always fallen under the latter of these two groups, and his new single “The Old Prince Still Lives at Home,” is no exception. Rhyming over a minimal drum beat and bass grove, Shad outlines the life that he leads still living at home with his parents.

Shad sounds like artists from rap’s “Golden Age,” like Skee-Lo or Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The bragging and boasting in hip-hop that took over after this period has no place on this track. Instead, the subject matter is focused around how much Shad has to scrimp and save to get by, culminating with the statement that the rapper “couldn’t even afford the whole beat,” after a break in the music.

Songs like these represent the universality of hip-hop. For those who aren’t large fans of the genre, Shad offers clever wordplay and a few laughs, something that most anyone can appreciate. For connoisseurs of rap, Shad offers a welcome return to a more substantive period in hip-hop.

The Old Prince [Re-Issue] 2009 Review by Sloane Daley

Titling your record The Old Prince is an interesting move, because while it places the album in the familiar hip-hop language of MC braggadocio in comparing one’s self to royalty, it already offers an intriguing level of contradiction. Upon spinning this record it might seem like a rather ordinary album of an underground rapper making social commentary over soul-influenced production. Nevertheless, Shad does challenge some fairly common assumptions in some subtle yet effective ways. Shad’s flow and wordplay are as confident as a veteran MC but it isn’t all showing and proving here as The Old Prince offers a lot of questions as it explores ideas of maturing and personal growth.

The requisite intro joint is an actual song rather than a useless bit, featuring a couple of verses that serve to introduce both Shad’s skills on the mic. The song serves as an introduction to his character as well as the themes discussed elsewhere on the album, such as spirituality and search for fame. “I Don’t Like To” kicks things off proper with a nice instrumental by producer Mantis, utilizing a twinkling piano cascading over shuffling drums that reminds me of something the Mountain Brothers would spit over. Shad’s first verse finds him in battle mode dropping amusing punchlines. The second verse, however, takes an unexpected turn focusing on illegal downloading and adapting and changing as an artist to fill that change in environment:

iTunes, eye-patch
I'm in the same boat where the pirates be
Tell'em I'm down with that pirate stee
They don't buy it, I say don't buy it -- pirate me
If it's ill, it'll spread virally
From my received folders to
Appearin' in the love that the crowds show
(shhh) if it sound dope -- keep it on the downlo(ad)
Keep it real, player / Real Player
With the volume cranked
And I'll be ballin like Tim Duncan - callin bank […]"

The verse really showcases one of the quirks of Shad’s rhyme style in his preference for playing homophones (or near homophones) off of each other. There is a fantastic self-reflexive quality in his use of changing words to fit unexpectedly into a technological lingo and his expression of the artist’s need to grow and change in the content of his bars.

It is kind of funny Shad should mention something going “viral” in that the concept of the video for the album’s single, “The Old Prince Still Lives at Home” seems like something out of a YouTube viral video craze with him placing himself into the role of Will Smith’s character of the opening credits of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The song itself is equally funny, Shad rapping verses about a man-child living with his parents way past his prime. Hilariously, the beat cuts out partway through and Shad explains that he couldn’t afford the whole beat and finishes that last verse with hand claps:

If you happy when you save 2 dollars a week
You steal your neighbors empty bottles
And keep all your receipts and only treat your girl
Yearly to McDonalds to eat
Don't be ashamed, pop your collars man - holler at me!
If ya'll are this cheap [...]"

Whether like in “The Old Prince…” Shad tackles lethargy, laments the struggle of black youth in a society that shows them limited options culturally in “Brother (Watching)” or talking about the poor state of his love life in “Out of Love Pt.2”, he does so with a sharp wit and careful attention to detail. Although there is a different producer for each track, that same attention to detail carries over to the production. Each song is interesting enough to stand out on their own, but supports the overall vibe of the album like the drum-driven “Exile” or the beautiful piano and string arrangement on “Three Years (Interlude).” This one of the finest hip-hop debuts I’ve heard in some time and one of the best albums I’ve heard in awhile period.

via Punknews.org

Hip-Hop Linguistics Yes! Review

Rating:
Review Date: June 10, 2009
Website: K-os Website
Label: Crown Loyalist Recordings

K-os “Yes!” Album Review
K-os is an artist who is just constantly evolving. His first three albums, each a classic in my mind, showed K-os on a different musical journey. And after where he took his last effort, “Atlantis: Hymns for Disco,” I couldn’t really imagine what he had left in him. Where could K-os possibly go next? Well, with “Yes!” K-os has proven that his evolution is not yet complete, and that he is incapable of making a less than spectacular album. And even better for HHL followers, “Yes!” seems to be more hip-hop based than his past couple of albums.

Why I Like This Album?

1. It’s electro – I’m a hip-hop fan who doesn’t want to hear the same thing over and over again. Maybe that’s why I’m such a big fan of K-os. To me, K-os’ production - which despite his array of past sounds has always been very instrumental and perhaps even folk-ish – is much more futuristically electronic this time around. Tracks like Zambony, Astronaut, Eye Know Something, The Aviator and Mr. Telephone Man demonstrate this electronic feel and will have you bumping your head. This sound works out well for K-os, who rhymes more than he sings on these tracks. And while I can dig both, there’s nothing like listening to emcees spit over tight beats.

2. It reps Vancouver – Right before I picked up this album, I read an article about how K-os moved to Vancouver to record most of the tracks for “Yes!” Some of my favorite albums were recorded and clearly influenced by being created in a place away from home (the best example that comes to mind is the Living Legends’ “Classic” which was created in Maui). So when I hear a lot of the songs, I envision dude in the city living the fast life and shit. Or maybe that’s because I’m in the city living the fast life and shit. Either way, I like the influence Vancouver has apparently had on K-os’ music.

3. It makes me dance – Yeah I’m gay. But a couple times recently, I’ve jumped the train home from work, smoked one (I’m quitting tomorrow), and thrown on this album. I cook dinner and dance around the house like Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club (like you never have), because there are definitely some cranks on this album. Tracks like Burning Bridges, Uptown Girl, I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, 4321, FUN!, WhipC.R.E.A.M and The Avenue might have you busting a move for real.

4. Rhymes are dope – I gotta relate at least one of my reasons to the music itself. And as usual, K-os’ lyrics and flow are on point. There are dope rhymes, sing along choruses and quotable lyrics all over this album. One good example is the following verse from Burning Bridges:

Turn on the light/
‘Cause the left hand knows what you’re doing with your right/
When the right hand glows, left is jealous of the light/
So you put ‘em both together and you clap for your life/
Time – that’s why I’m back in the building/
To burn through flame the thing that I was building/
Get off the bridge all the women and children/
Fire pros/
Sheep’s in wolves clothes/

The Aviator is a self-reflective track in which K-os drops two dope verses off inner dialogue and questioning. The following verse from that song is a good example of this:

Who am I using?/
Who is abusing?/
Who isn’t choosing?/
Who am I sleeping on that I’m confusing?/
Who is my muse? She probably plays the guitar/
Probably 4th dimensional, probably living bars/
So many scars young black boy in my room/
Made my style animated, call my style cartoon/
That you bump when you’re driving up the coastline/
The closed mind exposed by the sunshine/
Designed by the most high/

One of my favorite songs lyrically was former HHL track of the week Mr. Telephone Man. In that song, K-os drops the following verse that seems to point to how human relationships are being affected by improving technology.

We went from pagers, beepers, phones, to creepers/
Ringtones, text messages, not reaching/
Speaking close all up in my receiver/
Afraid to meet in person the dial tone deceiver/
Pick up, hang up, break up, banger/
Man I wanna press every button Atlanta/
Area code South Beach number I forgot it/
We cross bionic style exotic forget about it/
Now here’s what I’m thinking/
Is this ship sinking?/
While we’re dancing and drinking/
Could we be at the brink and?/

Overall: Probably my favorite album of 2009 – and that’s saying a lot. I like every song on this album, and I have a different favorite daily. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of this album. Favorite tracks include I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, Mr. Telephone Man, Uptown Girl, Eye Know Something, The Aviator. Really all of them. Peace.

via Hip-Hop Linguistics

Throwback: Review of The Old Prince by RapReviews

Shad :: The Old Prince

Author: Pedro 'DJ Complejo' Hernandez

The concept of "The Old Prince" is one that we can all relate to and understand. To sum it up, princes aren't supposed to be old because they are supposed to become kings before they become old. Applied universally, the idea is that we all want to do great things and as times passes we become impatient and begin to wonder whether our time has passed. Shad's album captures his own conflict with the idea of being an old prince. Every rapper goes through a period of time where they wonder whether they will ever make it big time and even consider giving up on the dream. This insecurity has been touched upon by other rappers, but never with the passion and appeal shown by Shad. Shad's ability to relate his own triumphs and insecurities to the rest of us allows him to create one of the best albums released in the past year.

The album kicks off with a short interlude where the story of "The Old Prince" is told and then Shad kicks his first verse:

"Brother please, no more Pamela Lees, let's set it straight
I'm the biggest thing out of Canada til Quebec separate
And I never medicate so y'all feel me if I'm ill like a lump
Some dudes used to burn down trees and now they stumped
By the simplest questions and everything they think is deception
As they sink in depression, no telling where our life's heading
I'm light headed from stress where I write hooks like a fight method
Like credit I'm indebted from my misuse
My life like a magazine, got so many issues
God edits the stories, still trying to find the father like Maury
He ain't with the stars like Tory
Spellings, spell it out like NORE
On a quest for glory"

Instantly you can tell Shad is something special on the mic as he mixes humor, punch lines, and emotion in a way few emcees are able to. On top of that the man has a great voice and precise flow that ensure you understand every word he spits. The intro is only the beginning as Shad hits us with track after track of great, meaningful music. "I Don't Like To" finds Shad indulging by giving in to the temptation of showing off his mic skills dropping dope lines like "y'all stay second rate Chingys at the quality inn." "What We All Want" is a soulful and honest song dedicated to the universal aspirations that fuel our everyday struggle. "Brother (Watching)" is a heartfelt exploration of being Black in our society as Shad hits upon the evils of stereotypes, both as they hold down Black youth and at the same time pressure them to live up to those stereotypes:

"I try to hold some hope in my heart for these African youths
Coming up where I'm from, many traps to allude
Surrounded by mostly white and affluent dudes
And somehow you expected to have mastered the smooth
Swagger, and move with the right walk, the right talk, fashion and crews
So suddenly attacked and abused
And what's funny is being Black wasn't cool
Where I'm from, til suddenly you started hearing rapping in school
Hallways, amidst this madness I grew
With a knack for amusing through this little skill for rapping at dudes
And we all like to laugh at the truth
But when you young and the same facts pertain to who you rapping them to
Well I opted not to bring that to the booth
But after a while it sort of starts nagging at you
The crazed infatuation with Blackness is tragic in view
The fact that the tube only shows Blacks acting a fool"

The emotion and energy Shad puts into every song forces you to take his music just as seriously as he does. Just as Shad is able to address deep topics, he also easily is able to make you laugh at the lighter side of life. "The Old Prince Still Lives at Home" is one of the funniest rap tracks ever laid down as Shad talks about being broke. The comedy reaches its climax when the beat drops out and Shad raps A cappella because he couldn't afford the full instrumental. "Out of Love Pt. 2" is another entertaining track where Shad lets us know he's had his fair share of struggles with the ladies. The album ends just as strongly as it begins as Shad continues to lay down amazing tracks. "I Heard You Had a Voice Like An Angel/Psalm 137" is a religious themed track addressing the evils and temptations that can lead to the downfall of any prince. "Compromise" instantly shoots you out of the serious lull of the previous track as Shad tells you to never compromise and continue doing you. "Get Up" is the last song on the album and ends on an appropriately triumphant note.

From start to finish, "The Old Prince" is one of the best albums to have come out in 2007 – an amazing achievement for a relatively unknown rapper and a testament to the passion and love Shad infuses into his music. Shad is the most talented newcomer I've come across in quite awhile. Shad's talent transcends the basics of being able to rap well as he is able to create full songs that are as catchy as they are engaging and meaningful. His skills on the mic are so impressive that he could rock over the wackest of beats and still sound dope. Thankfully, he's assembled a crew of producers that are just as outstanding as he is. Every track on "The Old Prince" has a beat that is as compelling and musically pleasing as Shad is on the mic. Though Shad only set out to tell us his story on this album, he ended up showing us that not only is his time as king here, he is a more than worthy candidate to lead hip-hop into the future.

Music Vibes: 10 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 10 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 10 of 10

via RapReviews.com