CBC names rapper Shad to replace Jian Ghomeshi as new host of Q

TORONTO – CBC Radio has named Shadrach Kabango, better known as Shad, as the new host of its arts and culture show Q, the public broadcaster announced Tuesday night.

The Juno Award-winning musician comes to the show after a four-month search to replace disgraced host Jian Ghomeshi, who was fired last October amid allegations of sexual assault.

Shad was born in Kenya and raised in Canada where he obtained a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a masters degree from Simon Fraser University.

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The accomplished artist has four albums to his name with his first full-length release coming in 2005 with When This is Over and his follow-up The Old Prince, which was nominated for a Polaris Prize in 2008. His most recent album, 2014’s Flying Colours, was also nominated for a Polaris Prize.

Cindy Witten, executive director of CBC Radio Talk, said they had looked at more than 200 people and sought “a good conversationalist who is witty and fast on their feet. We wanted someone steeped in arts and culture in this country.”

“We were looking for someone who is an original thinker, curious and emotionally intelligent,” said Witten in a report on the CBC website.

The 32-year-old will hope to erase the cloud of controversy that enveloped the show following the Ghomeshi scandal. The former host currently faces seven sexual assault charges stemming from allegations that span from 2002 to 2008.

Ghomeshi has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due back in a Toronto courtroom March 27.