In addition to the release of Trial & Error, 2003 and 2004 were busy and evolutionary years for Classified. With the continuous support of VideoFACT, he was able to release two additional music videos for the singles "Just the Way It Is" and "Unexpected". Classified also continued to master his production skills and joined forces with some of Canada's most prominent emcees, including Choclair and Maestro Fresh Wes. He also teamed up with Shady Records recording artist, Royce Da 5'9" and opened for Ludacris, Snoop dogg, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Nelly, MC Grizzly, Captain Capota, Nas, The Black Eyed Peas and Black Moon.
Classified's tenth album, Boy-Cott-In the Industry, was a high point in his career. The album includes guest appearances by Choclair, Royce Da 5'9", Jay Bizzy, J-Bru, A-Wall, Spesh K, and Mic Boyd (Classified's younger brother and fellow MC). He has said he enjoys doing music with other people: "It keeps things exciting and there are tons of talented people in Halifax so you make connections 'cause it's not a huge scene." The album reached #46 on SoundScan's Canadian R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. The singles "The Maritimes", "5th Element", "No Mistakes", and "Find Out", which is the lead single of his 11th studio album, Hitch Hikin' Music, were all Top 20 hits on MuchMusic and MTV Canada that year. The music video for "No Mistakes" won him an MMVA for MuchVibe Best Rap Video. Boy-Cott-In the Industry also earned Classified a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year in 2006.
Riding high off of Boy-Cott-In the Industry, Classified released his eleventh album Hitch Hikin' Music. Produced like previous albums by Classified himself, it is arguably some of Classified's finest work. On "Fall From Paradise", Classified reflects on the difficulty of staying fresh and on top. In the hip-hop meets classic rock song "All About U", featuring singer Chad Hatcher, Classified shows the extent of his growth from his early releases. In "Hip Hop Star", he eschews the current bling-bling culture of popular hip hop to remind people that life is not about trying to impress others. The rest of the album includes guest appearances by Jay Bizzy, Mic Boyd, Jordan Croucher, Preacher K, White Mic and more. Four singles have been released off the album: "Find Out" (which won the 2007 East Coast Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Single), "Feelin' Fine Remix", "All About U", and "Hard to Be Hip Hop". Hitch Hikin' Music also received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year in 2007.
Classified enlisted the help of fellow Nova Scotia native Joel Roy to beatbox during some of his songs. The actual singles that Roy beatboxed for are unknown but it is believed that he can be heard in the single "The Maritimes".
In early 2009, the hit single "Anybody Listening" brought Classified to mainstream success as it peaked at #52 on the Canadian Hot 100 and the music video received heavy rotation on MuchMusic. Classified's thirteenth studio album, Self Explanatory received highly positive reviews from the critics and debuted on the Canadian Albums Chart at #25 making it Classified's first album on that chart. At the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards on May 21, 2009, Classified won the MuchVibe "Best Hip-Hop Video of the Year" award for "Anybody Listening" directed by Harv Glazer and produced by Robert Wilson of TwoThreeFiveFilms. Off Self Explanatory, Classified would enjoy more mainstream success in early 2010 with another hit single, "Oh...Canada" peaking at #14 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified platinum in digital downloads by the CRIA. Also in early 2010, Classified received three Juno Award nominations, which was for Rap Recording of the Year, Single of the Year, and Video of the Year. In early 2011, "Oh...Canada" received a Juno nomination for "Single of the Year".
On March 22, 2011, Classified released his fourteenth album, though it was only his second major studio album, Handshakes and Middle Fingers. The first single off the album, "That Ain't Classy" reached #45 on the Canadian Hot 100. The album debuted at #7 on the Canadian Albums Chart, making it his highest charting album to date.
Beatin It
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, plug that in over there
Turn on the turn table, let the needle touch the record
I'll find the right sound I'm use to coping under pressure
You dig, you look, you skip tracks and skip back
Take pieces of old music mix match and flip tracks
After that you spit rap to get ads, and hit ass
Ya, ya thats it right there
Now let me loop that in the sampler, piano piece caught my ear
Gimmie a sec, nothin better than a piano loop
Let me get this perfect, let me pitch it up a bit
A little faster might be worth it
Ya, ya, ok, 73 beats per minute, it still dont loop right
Let me try it 74, and that should make it loop tight
There we go, now this sample bumpin hard
Soundin like mythotical fairytales, or somethin dark
It's giving me ideas already, the moods, the melody
Oh shit, Im losin track, wait, the beat still needs developing
Alright, I got my sample, so now I need a drum kit
Let me try out this one kick, ya thats somethin I can run with
Now I figure out a pattern like running plays and maddin
Let the kicks sit on the sample, make magic like Aladdin
And now I need a snare, so let me try this here
Nah, its too dirty, the kick's too clear, it doesnt mix right
So let me try this rim shot, a little bit of hand clap, to give it a touch of hiphop
Ok, that kinda work, ya I like that
Maybe add some cymbals, nah fuck it, dont need no high hat
But maybe add a shake of somethin slick and smooth like (sound)
Loop that, cut it, and make it move right
Ok I need a joint
Yo pass that over
Just one puff
Just wanted to get something in my head, you know
Take me somewhere else before I drop this back
Ya I drop the drum now, listen how the drum sound
It's almost there, but this aint done, and I aint tryin to jump the gun now
Track is soundin ripe, but I aint finished man, this take time
Still adjustin levels and gotta filter out the baseline
Like, just turn the highs way down, there we go
Now I got my base sound, drop the beat again
Ya that soundin better now, drum is soundin crisp
Base is thick, ya the base is thick so now what could I lace wit it?
Guess I'll put a change in it, rearrange a bit, add some things
And take you to another place wit it, music is moods
Dont matter how its produced, dont matter what tool you use
Or the instruments that you choose (nope)
It's all about listen, I can switch right quick
From laid back, to hype shit
Wit a drum roll, crash, and a tight kick
Bring back the piano, switch between your two samples
Turn up the clap, and piano shakers to the left channel
Ya its workin, almost sound complete
But I probably wont be using it, Jordan, you want this beat?
[Jordan Croucher:]
Ya I kinda like the way this beat is flowin out
Maybe later on I'll write some shit and put it down
And I know, oh shit, yo yo hold on, hold on, hold on
Let me get that back, hold on, hold on
Ya I kinda like the way this beat is flowin out
Maybe later on I'll write some shit and put it down
And I know, that this could be the sound, oh ya
Ya, ya that'll do it
Something like that yo
Aight
We'll do somethin like that, thats the riff right there
I'm feelin that man, thatll work
Ya, ya
Aiight I'll finish this beat up, I'll burn it off for ya
Just give me a couple more minutes
The lyrics of "Beatin' It" by Classified featuring Jordan Croucher depict the process of creating a beat. The song starts with Classified in the studio, setting up his equipment and searching for the right sound. He talks about digging through old music, sampling, and manipulating different elements to create a unique composition. Throughout the song, he expresses his passion and dedication to perfecting the beat, experimenting with various instruments, drum patterns, and effects. The lyrics also highlight the collaborative nature of the process, with Classified offering the beat to Jordan Croucher for his input and potential collaboration.
The lyrics capture the essence of a producer's creative journey, from initial inspiration to the meticulous crafting and fine-tuning of a beat. It illustrates the importance of patience and attention to detail in the pursuit of creating music that resonates with both the artist and the listener. The song not only showcases Classified's technical skills as a producer but also emphasizes the emotional and imaginative aspects of the creative process.
Line by Line Meaning
Jus gimme a sec I gotta make some beats
Just give me a moment, I need to create music
Yo, plug that in over there
Hey, connect that device there
Turn on the turn table, let the needle touch the record
Activate the turntable and let the needle make contact with the vinyl record
I'll find the right sound I'm use to coping under pressure
I will discover the perfect sound, as I am accustomed to creating music despite feeling pressure
You dig, you look, you skip tracks and skip back
You explore, search, skip through tracks and go back
Take pieces of old music mix match and flip tracks
Combine fragments of old music, mix and match, and remix tracks
After that you spit rap to get ads, and hit ass
Then you rap passionately to gain attention and impress everyone
Yo wait, whats that, ya the piano part, bring it back
Wait, what is that sound? Oh yes, the piano section, replay it
Ya, ya thats it right there
Yes, that's the perfect element
Now let me loop that in the sampler, piano piece caught my ear
Now let me continuously repeat that sound in the sampler, the piano element has captured my interest
Gimmie a sec, nothin better than a piano loop
Give me a moment, there's nothing more satisfying than a repeating piano sequence
Let me get this perfect, let me pitch it up a bit
Allow me to refine this, let me increase the pitch slightly
A little faster might be worth it
A slight increase in tempo could be beneficial
Ya, ya, ok, 73 beats per minute, it still dont loop right
Yes, yes, okay, at 73 beats per minute, the loop still doesn't sound correct
Let me try it 74, and that should make it loop tight
Let me attempt 74 beats per minute, and it should result in a more precise loop
There we go, now this sample bumpin hard
There we have it, now this sample sounds impressive
Soundin like mythotical fairytales, or somethin dark
Resembling mystical fairytales or something dark
It's giving me ideas already, the moods, the melody
It's already sparking creativity in me, with its atmosphere and melody
Oh shit, Im losin track, wait, the beat still needs developing
Oh no, I'm getting distracted, but I must remember that the beat still requires further refinement
Alright, I got my sample, so now I need a drum kit
Okay, I have my sample, now I require a set of drums
Let me try out this one kick, ya thats somethin I can run with
Let me experiment with this specific drum kick, yes, that's something I can work with
Now I figure out a pattern like running plays and maddin
Now I devise a rhythmic pattern similar to strategies in sports and the movie 'Madden'
Let the kicks sit on the sample, make magic like Aladdin
Allow the drum kicks to complement the sample, creating a magical effect like in the story of Aladdin
And now I need a snare, so let me try this here
And now I require a snare drum, so let me test this one
Nah, its too dirty, the kick's too clear, it doesnt mix right
No, it sounds too distorted when combined with the clear kick drum, it doesn't blend well
So let me try this rim shot, a little bit of hand clap, to give it a touch of hiphop
Therefore, let me attempt using a rim shot and a subtle handclap to add a hip-hop flavor
Ok, that kinda work, ya I like that
Okay, that seems to be effective, yes, I enjoy that sound
Maybe add some cymbals, nah fuck it, dont need no high hat
Perhaps incorporate some cymbals, actually, never mind, I don't require a high hat
But maybe add a shake of somethin slick and smooth like (sound)
But maybe introduce a subtle and smooth element, resembling a shaking sound
Loop that, cut it, and make it move right
Loop that specific sound, edit it, and ensure it flows seamlessly
Ok I need a joint
Okay, I require a marijuana cigarette
Yo pass that over
Hey, hand that over to me
Just one puff
Just a single inhalation
Just wanted to get something in my head, you know
Just wanted to stimulate my mind, you understand
Take me somewhere else before I drop this back
Transport me to a different state of mind before I return to working on this music
Ya I drop the drum now, listen how the drum sound
Yes, now I remove the drum for a moment, listen to the drum sound
It's almost there, but this aint done, and I aint tryin to jump the gun now
It's nearly complete, but it's not finished yet, and I don't want to rush it
Track is soundin ripe, but I aint finished man, this take time
The track is sounding great, but I'm not done yet, creating music requires time
Still adjustin levels and gotta filter out the baseline
Still fine-tuning the audio levels and need to remove unwanted bass frequencies
Like, just turn the highs way down, there we go
Simply decrease the high frequencies significantly, perfect
Now I got my base sound, drop the beat again
Now I have the desired bass sound, reintroduce the drum beat
Ya that soundin better now, drum is soundin crisp
Yes, that is sounding improved now, the drums have a clear and sharp tone
Base is thick, ya the base is thick so now what could I lace wit it?
The bass is powerful, yes, the bass is powerful, now what other elements can I complement it with?
Guess I'll put a change in it, rearrange a bit, add some things
I suppose I will introduce a variation, rearrange sections, and incorporate additional elements
And take you to another place wit it, music is moods
And transport you to a different realm with it, because music evokes emotions
Dont matter how its produced, dont matter what tool you use
It doesn't matter how it's created, it doesn't matter what equipment is employed
Or the instruments that you choose (nope)
Or the instruments you select (nope)
It's all about listen, I can switch right quick
It's all about paying attention, I can change direction rapidly
From laid back, to hype shit
From a relaxed vibe to an energetic one
Wit a drum roll, crash, and a tight kick
With a drum roll, crash cymbal, and a crisp kick drum
Bring back the piano, switch between your two samples
Bring back the piano element, switch between the two samples you have
Turn up the clap, and piano shakers to the left channel
Increase the volume of the clap sound and the piano shakers in the left audio channel
Ya its workin, almost sound complete
Yes, it's working, almost sounding finished
But I probably wont be using it, Jordan, you want this beat?
But I likely won't be utilizing it, Jordan, do you want this beat?
Ya I kinda like the way this beat is flowin out
Yes, I quite enjoy the way this beat is developing
Maybe later on I'll write some shit and put it down
Perhaps I'll write some lyrics later and record them
And I know, oh shit, yo yo hold on, hold on, hold on
And I know, oh no, hey hey, wait, wait, wait
Let me get that back, hold on, hold on
Let me rewind that, wait, hold on
Ya I kinda like the way this beat is flowin out
Yes, I quite enjoy the development of this beat
Maybe later on I'll write some shit and put it down
Perhaps I'll write some lyrics later and record them
And I know, that this could be the sound, oh ya
And I know that this could be the defining sound, oh yes
Ya, ya that'll do it
Yes, yes, that will be perfect
Something like that yo
Something similar to that, you know
Aight
Alright
We'll do somethin like that, thats the riff right there
We'll create something along those lines, that's the perfect melody right there
I'm feelin that man, thatll work
I am enjoying that, that will be suitable
Ya, ya
Yes, yes
Aiight I'll finish this beat up, I'll burn it off for ya
Alright, I'll complete this beat, I'll make a recording for you
Just give me a couple more minutes
Just give me a few more minutes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sweetmonkeylove1
This drove me crazy for years. The piano sample is Tom Waits Ice Cream Man. This drove me seriously nuts for a long, long time.
Matt Yianakis
Seriously man, thanks. It also drove me crazy.
Pale Horse Rider
the masses are missing out on this work of art.
blubb
Can't belive that this guy aint famous? seriously Classified is fucking awesome!
MusicsDope 87
A favorite Classified track for sure.
Chronic Cast
he pulled it out at his show last night in Ottawa. Absolutely made my night
jaydog1953
This is actually hot. Good job, son. It demonstrates the artistry and creativity of beat making.
Jon292
we need more of this today.. Keep It Up Classified
carl1212
Great concept for a song and really well executed. A masterclass.
Jrm_wm
And why don’t we have more artists like this?!?!? This is a “class”ic!