Juno award-winning rapper Shad is coming back to London, Ontario, where he grew up, to take on a new role at Museum London. The institution has chosen him as the first musician to hold a year-long residency, a post meant to tie music to the city's history and to the memories of the people who live there.
What will the residency involve?
Shad, whose legal name is Shadrach Kabango, will lend a performer's viewpoint to the museum through talks, original programming and outreach to residents. A central piece of the work is a set of playlists he will assemble, each drawing on Museum London's exhibitions and on moments that matter to the community.
The opening playlist is built around London's bicentennial. According to the museum's plans, it will pair widely known Canadian acts with artists whose ties to the city are less familiar.
Why does this homecoming matter?
London is where Shad spent nearly all of his childhood, arriving as an infant and staying until he finished high school. It is also where he began making music, freestyling with friends and spending after-school hours in local record shops such as Soul Choice, Dr. Disc and Grooves, often taking tips from older customers.
"All my core memories are here," Shad told CBC's Afternoon Drive host Matt Allen. He said the theme of memory will run through the residency, describing it as a force that holds families and communities together.
Museum London executive director Julie Bevan said starting the program fulfills a long-standing ambition for the institution. She described Shad as a strong choice for the first appointment, citing his wide-ranging creative work and his roots in the city.
How is the program launching?
The residency kicks off with a public conversation between Shad and broadcaster Garvia Bailey. Further events and playlist releases are expected over the course of the year.
FAQ
What is the residency meant to achieve?
It is designed to draw links between music, personal and civic memory, and community life in London through programming and curated playlists.
How long does the position last?
Shad's appointment runs for one year, beginning with the launch event featuring Garvia Bailey.
