An emerging rapper, Shah, is attracting college students more than any other demographic with his new EP "Today," released Nov. 1.
According to his record label, Day One: "His debut EP is an expression of triumph and growth; a monument to self-expression and youthful defiance. Despite his refusal to compromise his music for the sake of broader appeal, the demo has been praised locally and abroad."
With tracks breaking the molds of rap and with production samples in orchestral and electronic fused in his music, Shah's distinct style attracts people who usually prefer other genres.
"The best compliment I've been given is that the 'Today' EP made people fall back in love with music," Shah said in an interview with The Setonian. "Like when you were a child and you would anticipate the latest release from your favorite artists for weeks. Over the years, it seems music has become more of something that people listen to passively, for example, on their commute. People falling back in love with music is exactly what I hoped to gain out of the EP."
The EP pushes boundaries and breaks free from constraints in the music world. Shah said his favorite track is "Live One More" because it pushes boundaries, has mesmerizing lines and is the story of his life.
Shah stands out from among many rappers because even though he has a similar back story of being a defiant teenager in a neighborhood where he lost some of his friends to violence, he actually graduated medical school. Even though Shah was expelled from high school, he was actually accepted to Seton Hall's law school, but never attended. Before graduating medical school, he graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor's degree in commerce.
"In spite of the success Shah has already achieved in fields such as finance, sports, and medicine, he describes music as his only true calling," Day One noted. "His story will compel you, but it is his music that will addict you."
Shah said that his favorite musicians include Tupac, Kurt Cobain, Big L and Kendrick. There are a few references to these musicians in Shah's music because of the impact that they had.
"My calling in life is to shift the axis of Earth," he said. "The medium for me to do this with the greatest impact is through music or violence. I chose music."
Rebecca White can be reached at rebecca.white@student.shu.edu.
