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Janelle Monae and Shad freestyled together after Canada’s Juno Awards at Revival as part of The Main Ingredient concert series.

Vancouver based MC Shad, whose TSOL album was met with almost universal acclaim in hip hop circles upon its release by Decon/Black Box Recordings last year, unexpectedly beat out fellow countryman Drake for “Rap Recording of the Year” at Saturday’s Juno awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys. Though the record was a favorite amongst fans and critics alike, most considered Drake a shoo-in after taking the award home last year. In his acceptance speech the clearly dumbfounded Shad remarked “Wow, I’m very surprised. It’s like the Emmy going to Theo’s friend Cockroach,” in a telling display of the humility and cultural cross-referencing that have long been the hallmarks of his work.

Shad took to his blog Monday afternoon to pen a thank you note to his fans and release a new collaborative single with Skratch Bastid, the joyous and smooth soul of “Give You All I Can”.

Shad w/ Skratch Bastid – “Give You All I Can”

Download: http://www.shadk.com
Stream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywv2XhBl7vM&

Following up on last year’s US breakthrough album TSOL, Canadian MC Shad is following up today with his first iTunes Session. Recorded live at Metalworks in Toronto, the EP features six tracks, including new versions of previously released songs in addition to the much anticipated studio debut of his renowned YouTube a capella “The One In Front of The Garage”. In commemoration of the new single, Shad and Dallas Green (of Canadian post-hardcore titans Alexisonfire) are hosting an online remix contest for their recent single “Live Forever”. Additionally, Shad will be touring the US with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis this April, full dates below.

Shad & Dallas Green Remix Contest
http://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/shad-and-dallas

Shad’s New “Keep Shining” Video:

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TOUR DATES
4/13 Allston – Brighton Music Hall
4/14 South Burlington – Higher Ground
4/16 New York – Webster Hall
4/17 Philly – Kungfu Necktie
4/28 Fort Collins – Aggie Theatre
4/29 Denver – Bluebird Theatre
4/20 Boulder – Fox Theatre
*(all dates with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis)

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Shad pays tribute to all kinds of women by telling them to “Keep Shining” and allowing them to be presented as subjects and not objects.