It’s undoubtedly clear that 2010 was a very good year for Shad. The 28-year-old London, Ontario-based rapper released his best album yet – TSOL – and even went on tour with fellow Canadian, k-os. While his first shows of the New Year find him on the road with none other than Freddie Gibbs, we’re more excited about being able to premiere a track from Shad’s collaboration with another resident of London Town.
Below is a sneak peek of “Live Forever”, which is the first track from Shad and Dallas Green’s “Two Songs” 12-inch vinyl. Sales from the single (via Dine Alone Records) will benefit Skate4Cancer, and the cut finds Green – who is the mastermind behind City and Colour – soulfully delivering the song’s chorus before the next few bars feature Shad skillfully doing what he’s come to be known for.
His style is simultaneously throwback and super-fresh and he showcases his ability jam a slew of words into just a few beats when he rapidly delivers the line, “all my single ladies/ here’s a couple lines/love takes two/ people love one mind/ here’s one year/ if you’re given six months/ you only live once/ this is double time.” The flow has come to be unmistakable, and even though listening to it pour over the production’s quiet keyboard chords is awesome, what’s better is the lyrics themselves.
“A real king doesn’t have to rule with a weapon,” Shad raps at the end of the nearly four-minute track, “what if we went to school for possession/instead of jail…I guess I still believe that love can never fail.” Pretty heavy, huh?
The b-side is a remix of Shad’s “Listen”. Pre-orders for the vinyl (which is limited to just 556 copies) ship on January 11th.
