We've made our case for k-os, and we've always been sweet on Seattle emcee extraordinaire Astronautalis, but there is one more rapper on tonight's bill at Berbati's that you better not sleep on: Shad.
Another emcee from north of the border, Shad just released the excellent Tsol Us and back home he was nominated for something called a Polaris Prize (I think it's a Lady Byng Trophy for musicians or something). Regardless of what hardware adorns his mantle, Tsol Us is a well-produced recording with a few tasteful samples and plenty of intelligent rhymes. Most notable is "Keep Shining," a welcome woman-positive jam that makes the case for more female voices in the male-dominated hiphop landscape.
And I've been known to talk about women on a track or two
I talk to women, I just can't talk for women
That's for you
We need women for that
More women in rap
Even tracks like Kwali's "For Women"
That's still only half the view of the world
There's no girls rappin' so we're only hearin' half the truth
If you hear just one song today that references both Nina Simone and Tina Fey, this should be it.
LISTEN:
Shad - "Keep Shining"
k-os, Shad, Astronautalis & Animal Farm, and DJ Spark of Sandpeople are performing at Berbati's tonight. $13/15, all ages, 8pm. Don't miss it.