This Special Presentation is a co-presentation with the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life
Don’t miss a rare intimate conversation with Shad (Shadrach Kabango), arguably Canada’s most critically acclaimed voice in hip-hop. With five Polaris Music Prize shortlistings—more than any other artist in history—Shad masterfully blends humor and infectious sound with crucial themes of identity, faith, and personal struggle, creating a unique and profound connection with his audience. Known internationally for his thoughtful, engaging lyrics and his work as the host of Netflix’s Emmy-winning Hip-Hop Evolution, this is your chance to witness the expertise of a true lyrical craftsman and national cultural leader in an unforgettable live performance.
About Shad
Shad (Shadrach Kabango) is a Canadian rapper of Rwandan descent. He is known for blending humour with weighty themes, exploring a range of topics and sounds over the course of his 20-year career. Shad has carved out a distinctive voice in hip-hop, expertly crafting rhymes that tackle themes ranging from identity and faith to politics and personal struggle, all while experimenting with a diverse range of sounds and styles.
A critically acclaimed artist, Shad has earned a number of prestigious accolades. He won the 2011 JUNO Award for Rap Album of the Year, and he is also the only artist to be shortlisted five times for the Polaris Music Prize for Canadian Album of the Year, more than any other artist in the award’s history, underscoring his consistent artistic excellence and national impact.
Shad’s influence extends well beyond music. He captured the national spotlight in 2012 when he won CBC Radio’s Canada Reads competition, passionately championing Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre. He then served as the host of CBC Radio’s flagship arts and culture program q and Netflix’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series Hip-Hop Evolution. In addition to his media work, Shad has also grown into the role of educator, having recently designed and taught Hip-Hop-related courses at both the University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University, further solidifying his role as a leading voice.
Shad’s 2018 album A Short Story About a War alone has amassed over 3 million streams, contributing to more than 30 million streams across platforms.
His music and voice have received international attention with media coverage from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Complex, Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, NPR, Brooklyn Vegan, The Intercept, The Ringer, Noisey, Fader, NOW Toronto, Globe and Mail, La Presse, and many more. Radio support for his work has spanned the globe, including airplay on BBC 6Music, WNYC, KEXP, KCRW, KZGO, SiriusXM, and many others. Shad’s catalogue has appeared in notable sync placements for shows like Snowpiercer, The Murders, and Tall Boyz.
PAY WHAT YOU WILL – Shad
We’re always looking for new ways to make the performing arts more accessible and to encourage our community to take a chance on new and exciting work. This season, we have one show offering Pay What You Will tickets. Read on for more information!
What is Pay What You Will?
Reserve Your Ticket Now, Sit Back & Enjoy, Pay What You Will After!
How It Works
Step 1: Reserve Your Ticket
Just like attending any other show, you need to reserve a ticket. You can reserve them online HERE, in person or over the phone. If you’re unable to attend the show (life happens!), please let our Box Office know as soon as possible so that we can provide this opportunity to other members of the community.
Step 2: Sit Back and Enjoy
When you get to the theatre on show day (don’t forget your tickets!), our ushers will provide you with an empty envelope. Sit back and enjoy the performance.
Step 3: Pay What You Will
Once the show is over, you decide your price of admission based on your experience. You can pay using your envelope with cash, QR Code (provided in your envelope), or by TipTap payment stand in the lobby (tap available with Debit/Credit).
