On December 18th, Canadian rapper SHAD will be performing live outdoors at Bud’s Brew Garden (West Parking Lot of Budweiser Gardens) with special guests Haviah Mighty, Omega Mighty, R FLEX, and SUM-01. This concert is free to attend but registration is required. Gates open at 3PM but the show will begin at 4PM. Attendees must show proof of vaccination upon entry.
SHAD
Shad was born in Kenya then later raised in London, Ontario. He graduated from London Central High School in 2000. This former Londoner has released six studio albums since 2005 in which four of them have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. In 2011, he had won a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year and was listed as the second greatest Canadian rapper of all time by CBC Music in 2013.
Shad continues to be successful today by hosting the International Emmy Award winning documentary series, Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix since 2016. Shad is known for his “witty lyrics on heartfelt subjects” and can be described as a “conscious” and “reflective” rapper. Some of the artists he has been influenced by are Common, Eminem, Notorious B.I.G. and Outkast.
Haviah Mighty
Based out of Toronto, Haviah has dedicated her life to her career in music by developing her skills as a songwriter, vocalist, performer, and producer. She attended the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College where she then graduated in 2013. She combines rap, song, and instrumental seamlessly from hip hop, to soul, to afrobeats. In 2019, Haviah’s album titled 13th Floor received praises from publications such as Pitchfork and Billboard. This lead to her winning the Polaris Music Prize for Best Canadian Album of the Year. She was also the first hip-hop artist and the first Black woman to win this award. Haviah continues to push forward to carve out spaces that boldly defy gendered expectations for women in hip-hop.
Omega Mighty
Omega is a singer, songwriter and performance artist. She began her musical journey from the age of 4 training in classical piano and then at age 9, began formal vocal lessons and training in tap, ballet, dancehall and hip hop. Omega was featured on her sister Haviah’s award-winning album, “13th Floor” with their hit single “Wishy Washy” that has now accumulated over 200,000 streams. She has also received over 1 million views on her 2019 viral wedding dance video. Omega and Haviah Mighty have been seen sharing the stage at 2019 Polaris Music Awards, CBC Q, Hillside Festival, Purple Frost and more, opening for acts such as Rick Ross, Kranium and the Arkells. Omega’s live shows bring vibrant movements and sultry vocals to the stage while creating an energetic and entertaining overall performance.
R FLEX
A Western graduate, R Flex is a singer and songwriter from the Toronto area. Their style is electro-R&B that captivates audiences with their smooth and powerful voice. Appearing at Toronto Pride, POP Montreal, Sled Island (Calgary), MEGAPHONO (Ottawa), Slut Island (Montreal), and Grickle Grass (London), opening for the likes of Silla and Rise, Above Top Secret, and Le1f. Their debut EP “In & Out” received over 28K streams and their song “Thursday” was a Top 20 finalist at Imsta Festa Toronto. They have been featured on Paper Magazine, YOHOMO, CBC Here & Now, and named one of Now Magazine’s Artists to Watch in 2020 & 2021. (per https://rflexmusic.wordpress.com/)
MC SUM-01 W/ AB QUALITY
Sum-01 is said to not fit the traditional music genre of a performer. A local Londoner, Sum-01 grew up right here in London where they still reside today. Both an artist and a parent, Sum-01 incorporates their experiences into their raps. A common theme in their music is female empowerment and having strong personal values. Her music resonates with Hip-Hop culture purists, aficionados, curators and devotees to old school sound. You can catch them on-air hosting the show Drop The Needle Radio on Saturday’s from 6-8PM on Radio Western 94.9FM alongside AB Quality.