It’s been a busy time for Shad. The acclaimed Canadian hip-hop artist-turned-host of the CBC’s q (formerly known as “Q”;) had his first show on Monday featuring a wide range of guests: Tanya Tagaq, Bahamas, Chilly Gonzales, Shane Koyczan, Elvira Kurt, Peter Mansbridge, and Marc Maron.
“That show was so packed full of stuff,”; Shad told ET Canada, remembering what stood out to him from his first day on air. “There’s a point where I’m talking to Shane Koyczan, and he’s getting choked up, and then talking with Marc Maron and he said some really beautiful things and the crowd just started applauding — which is rare for a moment in conversation.
“And Tanya Tagaq took us through the whole, it was like a Tree Of Life moment, taking us through all of human history in her performance. And just sitting there, watching those things and being like “I’m so proud to be a part of this.'”;
Proud, and also a little relieved, once the first show was over.
“I think we were also happy to have it out of the way, and just get back to work,”; he said with a smile.
Shad’s also excited about the variety of guests he gets to interact with — in the shows to come, he’ll be speaking with legendary soul singer and civil rights leader Mavis Staples, as well as Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys.
Speaking of rappers, Shad’s fellow artist-turned-broadcaster, Buck 65 has apparently been troubled lately. Earlier this month, the CBC Radio 2 Drive host posted and then deleted a confessional Facebook post where he stated that he had “destroyed every important relationship” in his life by “cheating and lying.”
“I don’t know what’s going on exactly,”; Shad said. “Someone just sent me the link. We’re not close friends or anything like that, but he’s a guy I listened to since high school and has been super-kind around here. So I really hope to see him back at work and hope to hang with him when he’s back.”;
Meanwhile, he still has no fixed address. Having moved from Vancover, he does have his own place lined up in Toronto for May 1st, but he’ll continue crashing with friends until then.
“I’m still kind of doing the couch-surfing thing and trying to not to overstay my welcome,”; he says. “I still feel really bad because I come home, and then I just want to go and read, but it’s in their house so I can’t be like “sshhh, guys.'”;
