Genre Canadian hip hop TSOL
(2010) Flying Colours
(2013) | Label Black Box, Decon | |
Released May 25, 2010 (Canada)
October 5, 2010 (U.S.) | ||
TSOL is the third album by Canadian rapper Shad, released in Canada on May 25, 2010 and in the United States on October 5, 2010. It is his second album released on Black Box Recordings, and his first album of new material since 2007's Polaris Music Prize-nominated The Old Prince.
Contents
The first single, "Yaa I Get It", was released in April 2010. A music video was released on April 20.
The album was a shortlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. The album won Rap Recording of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards.
Tour
The album was supported with a cross-Canada tour, featuring opening acts Grand Analog in Western Canada and D-Sisive in Ontario.
Reception
TSOL received critical acclaim, according to Metacritic. David Amidon of PopMatters said that album was "extremely rhythmically pleasing."
The album was ranked number two in Exclaim!'s 2010 hip-hop rankings, with the magazine writing that Shad is "the rare MC who conveys wisdom without being preachy. More than anything, he's versatile, able to seamlessly switch from fierce, hilarious battle raps on "Yaa I Get It" to heartfelt reflection over the contemplative piano and guitars of "At the Same Time" without seeming contradictory."