Shad

Kenyan born (but Canadian based) rapper Shad (born Shadrach Kabango in 1982) was able to release his debut album, 2005's When This Is Over, after winning nearly $20,000 in a Kitchener-Waterloo radio station talent competition. The album was a critical hit, featuring socially conscious lyrics, and won him a deal with Black Box Recordings. His second album, The Old Prince, dropped on October 16, 2007. In 2008, Shad and his Old Prince were nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at that edition of the Canadian Juno Awards music ceremony.