With smash singles like Africa, Yalla Habibi, and so many more. Karl Wolf and I discuss about his journey to success, what it’s like for a Lebanese artist in the music industry and what music means to him.

I was very excited to interview Shad once I found out he would be in our hometown. We talked about the new album, the people who inspire him, and we obviously caught his performance. Ch-check it out, brought to you by The Come Up Show and in association with L DOT ONLINE.

Shad K: London’s Prince of Hip Hop
Written by Phillie from L DOT ONLINE

For those of you unfamiliar with Shad, consider checking out the main page of his website where he showcases his sickening ability to freestyle for a recorded 6 minutes. Raised in London Ontario, Shad was born in Kenya to parents of Rwandan descent; and, in a few short years he has cemented himself as one of Canada’s best hip-hop artists (‘artist’ is used deliberately). His profound and conscientious lyrics mesmerize his audiences, as they are educated on Shad’s perspective of social issues that are relevant to us all. Listening to Shad’s lyrics, themes relating to religion, love, greed, racism, and many other characteristics of the human condition are all brilliantly balanced by two central components of his character, spontaneity and humour.

Shad’s debut album When This Is Over (2005), was a self-made, self-financed venture, financed with the $17,500 he won from Kitchener-Waterloo’s 91.5 The Beat’s Rhythm of the Future talent competition. When This Is Over achieved broad appeal and respect, while receiving a sold amount of support from the grassroots hip-hop community throughout Canada. Following the success of his 2005 album, Shad signed with Black Box Recordings in 2007 and released his second album The Old Prince, which received much critical acclaim. The Old Prince (a clever play on words) is a thoughtful and thought provoking look into Shad’s perspective of various social issues. Shortly after its release, The Old Prince received a Juno nomination for Rap Recording of the Year and was nominated for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize.
The future is very bright for this talented artist, who currently attends Simon Fraser University, where he is completing his Masters Degree. Recently, Shad gained some notable recognition from Kanye West when West posted Shad’s music video, for his song ‘Compromise’ (The Old Prince, 2007), on West’s blog. We can only hope that Shad continues to produce conscientious music that seeks to inspire, educate, and uplift.

The Come Up Show’s DJ Chedo had the opportunity to interview Shad while he was in London (scheduled to perform at Call The Office). They discussed his next album, due out in May, his ambitions and the people that inspire him. To find out whom, check out the interview below.

Photography by Tom Pilgrim

View more pictures right here

Classified came down to Forewell Hall in Fanshawe College and I had the opportunity to interview him.

We discussed the Oh Canada video, a new artist he signed to Half-Life and the new album Class is working on. Check out the interview and write up by Phillie from L DOT ONLINE below.

Photography by Danielle Da Silva and In association with L DOT ONLINE.

The Classified Chronicle

Written by Phille from L DOT ONLINE

When it comes to Canadian Hip Hop trailblazers, Classified has definitely paved a blazing hot path. As a prolific and engaging artist, Classified began his solo career in the early 90’s in eastern Canada. Over the years Canada has proved to be a difficult market for Hip Hop artists to excel in, but over the decades Classified has carved his own niche touring the country (and overseas), facing many crowds, and putting out countless tracks, independently!

Before signing with Sony Canada in 2008, Classified had sold over 40,000 records, produced 10 full length albums independently with his production company Half Life, and was nominated for a Juno Award in 2006 for Rap Recording of the Year; a feat achieved by few other Canadian solo rappers. His sound, style, and approach to Hip Hop is all his own stating he is, “a positive person with a negative approach,” when it comes to voicing himself on the mic.

While it isn’t easy making it big in Canadian hip hop, Classified’s grit, determination, and consistency have allowed him to carve out a life for himself and he’s slowly building a legacy of musical achievements.

Recently, The Come Up Show’s DJ Chedo had the chance to interview Classified while he was in town. Chedo and Class spoke about a variety of things including Class’ new video for his hit song, “Oh Canada”. Check it out!

Check out the photos from this event right here

If you haven’t seen Part.1 yet, I strongly recommend you see it first right here.
Best of 2009 Part. 1

If you have, scroll down to see Part. 2.

WOW WOW WOW WOW.

I don’t think you are READY for this video.

In this video you will see me discussing my experience about the following interviews and events.
Colin Munroe
K’Naan Live [...]

Every year I do the best of The Come Up Show on the radio and 2009 was no exception. You can check out the radio version.
This year since I am working with Wreckless Crew Productions and I had so many interviews on video, we decided to bring you the best of 2009 on video. There [...]

This is one of the best experiences in 2009 and in my life so far. The exclusive access we got from Wale tour manager was amazing. From chilling in the tour bus with Wale and being able to photograph, record the concert and the interview.

Here are the pictures and the interview. Enjoy.

Wale and I discuss [...]

J.Cole is the first artist signed by Jay-z to Roc Nation. He is one of my favourite new artists and I am really excited to see him go far. The Warm Up in my opnion is one of the best mixtapes I have heard, music with feeling as I like to call it.
Download it here [...]

My interview with Legendary Saukrates.
We discuss what he has been up too, how he feels being called the Nate Dogg of Canada and more.

Ahhhhhh.
This was an interview that I didn’t expect to happen. My contact from Universal called me and asked “Chedo you want to interview Fabolous?”
What did you think I said?
Here it is, I am really proud how this turned out because it was a phone interview, most people that did a phone interview with Fabolous turned [...]

Colin Munroe is a music producer and singer/songwriter originally from North Gower, Ontario, and now resides in Toronto. He has worked with artists like Wale, Joell Ortiz, Drake, Skyzoo, Novel, Saukrates and more.
I caught him at Phoniex Concert Theatre in Toronto, he was opening for K’Naan which was a DOPE concert.

This is what made me [...]

I discovered Louwop earlier this year, someone handed me his album The Great Escape and I fell in love with it.

Here is my interview with Louwop on The Come Up Show, our conversation varies from samurai’s, commitment, and Louwop does a freestyle that got me too EXCITED.

The Kid Famous is one of the smartest rappers in Canada, I truly believe we have so much talent in this country but the one thing we lack is the marketing and promotion skills.
You think your skills or talent matter if no one knows about you? You won’t make a living and this is what [...]

I had the pleasure of Interviewing Raekwon in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada during the huge event The Grand Bender. We talked about the latest album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.

Danny Fernandes was at Club Mansion in London, Ontario and we sat down and talked about what he accomplished in the last year and what is next for him.

I had the opportunity to Interview Reggae Superstar Serani, he has produced for Mavado, Sean Paul and is responsible for the smash hit No Games. This is at Club Large in our hometown.

I got the opportunity to interview Classified, we talked about the latest album Self Explanatory, the new deal with Sony and the new addition to the Half-Life Crew. I called this interview Version 1 because I have another coming out soon.

This has to be one of my most genuine interviews, I think this interview shows how nice and well informed Shemar Moore is about Canada. This interview also got me huge exposure, it was posted on the Criminal Minds Blog and Day time confidential.

On behalf of B.O.C. Entertainment and The Come up Show, thank you [...]

This is the type of footage that you can’t plan, it just happened, we were all chilling backstage and Shad-K takes my microphone and starts interviewing the whole Half-Life crew. Shad-K asks them who can eat the mic, who has the best voice in hip-hop, who are the best producers in Canada. I love this.