Toronto Rap Veteran Shad Shares New Video “Work” Featuring Skratch Bastid

Following the surprise release of his first single since 2018 “Out of Touch” a few weeks back, Shad has returned with another punching effort with “Work”, bringing a swirl of Canadian talent with him including producer Skratch Bastid and a sample from Vancouver art-rock group We Are the City. The industrial details and crunchy production gives Shad’s lyrics a sharp edge, as he calls out the capitalist mentality of work and the hustle culture of today.

Shad tells us: “Like ‘Out of Touch’, “Work” was another song written pre-pandemic that is (sadly) even more timely now. I knew I wanted to write a song specifically about two aspects of work: One, the way so many of our jobs are disconnected from a sense of meaning and purpose, and from the people and places they impact. And two, just the increasing precarity and scarcity of work. Also as with ‘Out of Touch”, I wanted the song to hold both the irony/humour and heaviness of our situation.” 

Leaning into the tracks more punk stylings, the accompanying visual, directed by Justin Broadbent, adds a gritty filter over Shad’s performance. Broadbent shares, “I tried to make a classic, in-studio, rap video (think Rakim) but accidentally took an off-ramp, and it became way more grainy punk. As always, Shad delivers on the clever, collaged, comments – so I tried to do the same with the visuals. Watch it loud!”

Toronto can catch Shad live on Friday August 27th at the City View Drive-In alongside Skratch Bastid, Haviah Mighty, K-os, and re.verse.

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