What makes The Old Prince by Shad notable?

The Old Prince received widespread critical acclaim, noted for its lyrical depth and innovative sound. It showcased Shad's unique perspective as a Canadian artist and helped him gain recognition in the broader hip-hop community, influencing subsequent artists within the genre. Released in 2007, The Old Prince was Shad's sophomore album, following his acclaimed debut, When This Is Over. At this point in his career, he was solidifying his place in the alternative hip-hop scene, building on the critical success of his earlier work while exploring deeper personal and societal themes.

How many songs are on The Old Prince?

The Old Prince has 13 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

The Old Prince

Shad · 2007

40 min · 13 tracks · alternative hip-hop

A contemplative blend of introspective lyrics and melodic beats that intertwine storytelling with social commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Brother (Watching) — This track captures Shad's ability to weave personal narrative with broader societal observations, showcasing his reflective style and emotional honesty.
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I Heard You Had a Voice Like an Angel / Psalm 137 — With its poignant exploration of longing and identity, this track exemplifies Shad's lyrical prowess and ability to connect deeply with listeners.
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Get Up — This uplifting anthem combines infectious energy with motivating lyrics, making it a standout moment that encourages resilience and action.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical content and innovative production, solidifying Shad's voice in alternative hip-hop.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, blending traditional hip-hop beats with elements of jazz and soul.
The interlude track is notably longer than the others, creating a pause in the album's narrative flow before returning to more structured songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Intro: Quest for Glory 2:16
2 I Don't Like To 3:02
3 What We All Want 2:57
4 Brother (Watching) 3:37
5 Now a Daze 2:20
6 The Old Prince Still Lives at Home 3:34
7 Out of Love, Part 2 3:24
8 Behind the Thinning Veil of Self Deprecating Humour, the Old Prince Is Afraid He May Have Just Wasted the Last Three Years (interlude) 2:34
9 I Heard You Had a Voice Like an Angel / Psalm 137 5:24
10 Compromise 3:15
11 Exile 3:25
12 Get Up 3:58
13 Outro 0:50

What to play next

Listen next

TSOL

2010

Go back to

When This Is Over

2005

Full Shad discography Artists like Shad

alternative hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata