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.
Cazual Drinking
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
What's up Canada, ye, you know
We got caTash up in this bitch so everybody raise your cups up
I'm about to make a toast and after that, we gettin fucked up
Yup yup, you know, and you ain't checkin with an amateur
Customs bust my balls, but I still made it thru Canada
Right off the bat, I'm down the blue Labatt's
Now I'm creepin thru the party, they like 'who is that?'
Drinks is kinda weak, bartender, gotta send them back
Put it on my tab, while I snatch and grab a couple glasses
Couple asses, cause my pick is so rowdy
Probably representin my city, under seized thats LA
California, north of cocaine and weed
But all I really need for me to see some shit in 3d
Is 3 bottles of rum, and a Classified cd
Another day, another stamp in my passport
So when you want to drink, you know who the fuck to ask for
[Chorus:]
Let it go, have a drink, take a sip
Everybody sit back, recline
When you work for the week, and you're stressed
And you're feelin like you need to unwind
Pour a drink, raise your glass, make a toast
Tilt your head, put the glass in your mouth
Hold it there til the liquor flows out
And it slides down the back of your throat
[Classified:]
Ya, now I don't like how my liquor be tasting
But drink it every week for the intoxication
Straight up, you're wasted, drunk, inebriated
My tolerance is there, but its not the greatest
Forget about the work week, and all the troubles son
Chug like you're thirsty, and grab another one
Feelin the effect off of 3 or 4 beer
Cause in Canada, the alcohol percent is more here
Ya, I walk with a swagger in my step
Only cause I'm drunk, smell the Yagger on my breath
Takin shots burn, like a dagger to the chest
So I switch back to beer, get the kegger out next
Still gettin twisted, you know the deal
Pissin every 10 minutes since I broke the seal
This is classic attached, drink til we sloppy
I ain't alcoholic, I just got the same high beat
[Chorus:]
Let it go, have a drink, take a sip
Everybody sit back, recline
When you work for the week, and you're stressed
And you're feelin like you need to unwind
Pour a drink, raise your glass, make a toast
Tilt your head, put the glass in your mouth
Hold it there til the liquor flows out
And it slides down the back of your throat
Yo Tash, you got the weed? (You, you, you know it)
It's Class who got the beats (You, you, you know it)
Crack open the beer (You, you, you know it)
Ya we got it this year (You, you, you know it)
Alkaholiks (You, you, you know it)
HalfLife (You, you, you know it)
Catastophy (You, you, you know it)
Class on the track (You, you, you know it)
[Classified:]
This is for the casual drinkers who don't know when to quit
For the underage kids wanna sip til they sick
For the ones who go to college to study abroad
Then they waste all day drinkin, studyin broads
How the fuck y'all feelin out there
We got what you want
Y'all fucked up like me
We only drink to get drunk
So whats up California
Whats up Nova Scotia
Say cheers! Cheers!
A toast for you here
[Chorus:]
Let it go, have a drink, take a sip
Everybody sit back, recline
When you work for the week, and you're stressed
And you're feelin like you need to unwind
Pour a drink, raise your glass, make a toast
Tilt your head, put the glass in your mouth
Hold it there til the liquor flows out
And it slides down the back of your throat
In the first verse by Tash, she sets the scene by announcing her presence in Canada and encouraging everyone to raise their cups. She talks about facing challenges at customs but still managing to make it through to Canada. Tash describes diving right into drinking Labatt's beer at the party and getting the attention of others with her rowdy behavior. She mentions being from LA and references the drug scene there, but states that all she needs to have a good time is rum and Classified's music. Tash ends by positioning herself as the go-to person for a good time when it comes to drinking.
The chorus emphasizes the act of drinking as a way to unwind and relax after a stressful week. It encourages listeners to take a moment to enjoy a drink, make a toast, and savor the feeling of the alcohol flowing down their throat. The lyrics create a laid-back atmosphere, promoting the idea of letting go and enjoying the simple pleasure of drinking.
In Classified's verse, he reflects on his relationship with alcohol, admitting that he doesn't necessarily enjoy the taste of liquor but drinks for the intoxicating effects. He describes feeling drunk and tipsy, mentioning the high alcohol percentage in Canadian drinks. Classified portrays a carefree attitude, embracing the buzz and swagger that come with being drunk. He acknowledges his tendency to drink excessively and the effects it has on his body, but he shrugs it off, implying that it's all part of the experience.
The final lines of the song acknowledge and celebrate casual drinking culture, recognizing those who enjoy drinking without going overboard. The lyrics mention various groups and locations associated with drinking, showing a sense of camaraderie among those who partake in the activity. The song ends with a toast to California and Nova Scotia, highlighting the universality of the drinking experience and the sense of connection it can bring among different people. Overall, the lyrics of "Casual Drinking" by Classified touch on the social aspect of drinking, the desire for escape and pleasure, and the sense of community that can be found in sharing a drink with others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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