Posted on 04/14/2008
When I receive a press release that reads; "One of the strongest Canadian hip-hop records ever!" I'm like, "yeah, and?" But it also quotes OKP as saying Shad is "worthy of Common and Kanye-style accolades." As of this album's intro, I'll confidently state that Shad's a far better rapper than Kanye West. Musically, The Old Prince has a similar feel to Blu & Exile's Below The Heavens record. Soulfully romantic samples and classic drum snaps provide a perfect texture for Shad to bob and weave like Earl The Pearl Monroe leaving strings of memorable lyrics for his contemporaries to snack on. So pass the popcorn, eh.

 

Shad is Canadian. And besides the occasional Kardinal Official or 2/3rds of Main Source, our partners to the north aren't known for producing an overabundance of heaters. But just one listen in, I'm a believer for real. Shad's pen skills are ill and not just on the lyrical tip, it's dude's timing. He knows exactly how to ride, hide or dominate a beat depending on the song's tempo and hits and this is the difference between a Supaemcee and simply an accomplished lyricist. And despite this prowess, The Old Prince is never pretentious. Shad's got a healthy splash of self-deprecation expressed in lines like, "Spend two weeks eating popcorn like students do except I'm grown and this is not dorms so it's a bit more pathetic, ok a lot more" from "The Old Prince Still Lives At Home." Shad also shows he can slow his roll on "I Heard You Had A Voice Like An Angel," an atypical ode to fallen musical stars, depleted hope and broken dreams. 

 

All in all, the kid seems right at home over an array of beats and topics. Shad stays energetic and witty yet humble and relaxed. "I Don't Like To," "Compromise" and "Exile" are all choice tracks that may have you asking yourself why you've been sleeping on Northern Territory cats in the past. As far as Okayplayer accolades, I'd place Shad somewhere in the Blu/Kweli continuum, a deft lyricist with Exxon-deep rhyme pattern reserves. Plus, I heard his '05 debut, When This Is Over is pretty nice too.  Git familiar.

 

- Jeff Artist