Artist Spotlight on South Providence Rapper

Artist Spotlight on South Providence Rapper

Growing up in South Providence, dreams are often diminished because abilities are limited. Shad Kaydea goes by the stage name Young Shad. He has been working to break this cycle ever since he picked up a toy microphone as a child and actually realized he was good at it. Today at the age of 19 he has gained hundreds of thousands of hits on his online music page while still releasing new tracks every other day. For a person to spend most of their time doing what they love, we have to give the credit they deserve. The following Q&A was conducted via text message, with Shad. 

Q: What did you mean when you said rap mediates pains & tames joys? 

A: Going through life on a day, by day basis, you see ups and downs, smiles, and frowns. Now you can sit there and cry over spilled milk, or you can use that energy that you gain through those emotions as fuel to channel it into something positive and productive. For me it’s music. 

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Q: Did you finish school? If no, why did it not work for you? 

A: Well... I was never really a dumb kid. I always considered myself a little nerd, a really cool one I guess! High school at the time felt like nothing. We were not learning anything so it was either school, or skip and go to my friend's house to play Madden.  You can obviously guess what I chose. I guess somewhere inside me felt like I did not need school. I just knew one day I'd be a BIG SUPERSTAR rapper.  How naive was I? Little did I know I didn't even have my shoes laced yet with the songs I was creating at that time. I hope they are never heard by the public.... or my career is over! 

Q: Did you have a dream before becoming a rapper? 

A: I've always been a kid at heart, I figured me doing a nine to five never seemed like an option, so I guess when rapping came along I just clung to it. Before then I remember when I was little I wanted to be a video game creator. I loved video games, now I realize that it is because my mentality only pushes me to do what I love. 
 
Q:What does success mean to you? 

A: Some people think success means being rich or famous, I used to be the same, until my music really started getting out there. There are artists that rap and put so much money into their careers, I on the other hand put nothing but my talent into production. It’s the times when I meet someone who say, "Hey I really love your music". To me that feeling alone is "success". 

Q: Where do you see your self in five years? 

A: In everyone’s ipod, I wish! Honestly I think by then I will have my foot through the door, because look at all I've accomplished in a few short months. At the end of the day real music prevails over nonsense, so if I keep spreading my music day by day as so, then it’s only a matter of time.

Listen to more Young Shad here.

Freddy Gonzalez is a senior at The Met School in South Providence.