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.
Fall From Paradise
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Verse 1:]
I know that everything that goes up, must come down
That everybody with luck, must run out
Ya, so now I'm contemplating, like 'what's up now'
The music thing is all gone, but I'll suck it up proud
I did more than I imagined, tours I couldnt fathom
Broke down doors for sure, I let 'em have it
If any opportunity came, I had to grab it
Any goals set, I rose, then ran past it
Not a superstar and never wanted that
But I did sign some autographs on some groupies' ass
Smoked a lot of free weed from St. John's to BC
They came out the wood work, to see me speak
That was paradise
[Chorus]
[Verse 2:]
I went thru all types of bullshit, the story go way back
And I'm proud of myself now, though its corny to say that
Hip hop in Enfield was really non existance
Parents thought I was a fad, Dad I gone the distance
I tried to make a difference, I kept workin off persistance
Noone paid attention, now I talk and they listen
Emcees are often dissin, like I'm the man to beat
Ya I met a lot of rap stars that still a fan of me
I rock shows wit Busta, had songs in his movie
A chicken wit Luda, conversated wit some doobie
I drank wit Buck Shot, and Dj Evil D
I did songs wit Maestro, and smoked hash wit Keith Moby
I love hip hop, cause it made me who I am
It gave me confidence, and it made a honest man
This is paradise, and I found a promise land
So now I'm chillin and enjoyin my accomplishments
It's paradise
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
Now a couple years after this drop, I'll probably flop
But thats the way it goes when you get on the top
I'm talkin bout Canada, yo this industry's a joke
I'm a canadian rap star, and kid I'm still broke
But I ain't work in years, and some think I'm famous
While other people ask when the hell I'm gunna make it
I'm good where I'm at, keep the glamour and the glitz
I don't run from my fans, cause my stamina is shit
I appreciate the heads, the critics, and the haters
I know I miss the ref, the bitches and the breakers
The tours, the shows, promoters and the assholes
The beats and the rhymes, cause thats all that Class knows
That was paradise
[Chorus: to fade]
The song "Fall From Paradise" by Classified is a reflection on his rise in the hip hop industry and the inevitable descent that comes with success. He begins by acknowledging the idea that "everything that goes up, must come down," and that his luck will eventually run out. The music industry, which once seemed like paradise, is now gone, but he remains proud of what he accomplished during his time in it. He toured extensively, broke down doors, and achieved goals he set for himself. He didn't want to be a superstar, but he did sign autographs, smoke free weed, and speak to fans who came out to see him.
In the second verse, Classified reflects on the struggles he faced trying to make it as a hip hop artist in Enfield, where the scene was virtually nonexistent. He kept working and persevering, and eventually, people started paying attention. He met a lot of rap stars, rocked shows with Busta Rhymes, and had songs in movies. He loved hip hop because it gave him confidence and made him an honest man. This time in his life was paradise, and he found his promised land.
In the final verse, Classified acknowledges that his time in the industry may be limited, but he's okay with that. He's still broke, but some people think he's famous. He's grateful for the fans and critics and misses many aspects of the hip hop world. However, he's at a good place in his life now, and he's grateful for everything that the industry has given him.
Overall, "Fall From Paradise" is a song that is about the ups and downs of life, while specifically reflecting on Classified's experience as a hip hop artist. The song is about how the music industry is not always what it seems and how it can be both incredibly fulfilling and difficult. It's a message of gratitude, acceptance and embracing the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that everything that goes up, must come down
I understand the concept of cause and effect, which means nothing lasts forever.
That everybody with luck, must run out
Luck cannot last indefinitely.
Ya, so now I'm contemplating, like 'what's up now'
I am now considering my situation and wondering what my next move is.
The music thing is all gone, but I'll suck it up proud
The music career that I had is over, but I will accept it with dignity.
Contributed by Xavier E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JoshuAh AlohA
Chorus =
"It's hard to explain, our fall from paradise was meant to be. Dis-belief shown in your eyes, not enough to miss the prize.
<(Classified) I know the way the world works>
Destination in his eyes, counting down, this is the time -
It's hard to explain, our fall from paradise was meant to be. Dis-belief shown in your eyes, not enough to miss the prize. Not enough believed in him, and some just walked away.
<(Classified) I ain't close to bein finished>"
平和
🙏✌🌍
↪❤💛💚
男性へののれん
=Ξ لծکوինλի λԼծիλ Ξ=
B Bulldog Byrnes
2018 and still one of my favorites from my entire hip hop collection. Remember having this on blast from my bedroom window, playing ball on the street with all the neighborhood hoodlums. Been bumping this for 10+ years now.
JoshuAh AlohA
Chorus =
"It's hard to explain, our fall from paradise was meant to be. Dis-belief shown in your eyes, not enough to miss the prize.
<(Classified) I know the way the world works>
Destination in his eyes, counting down, this is the time -
It's hard to explain, our fall from paradise was meant to be. Dis-belief shown in your eyes, not enough to miss the prize. Not enough believed in him, and some just walked away.
<(Classified) I ain't close to bein finished>"
平和
🙏✌🌍
↪❤💛💚
男性へののれん
=Ξ لծکوինλի λԼծիλ Ξ=
Brandon T
People came from miles to hear what he had to say
Some of them believed in him and some just walked away
He tried to explain, our fall from paradise was meant to be
Disbelief showed in their eyes, drowning out his distant cries.
The beat is actually from an old song and it uses that exact lyric as the hook:
THE LITTLE RIVER BAND - "FALL FROM PARADISE" from 1:13 in the original song.
Keegan Currie
He made this song in 2006 ... such a self aware individual, amazing.
Andrea Poirier- Cornell
Luke, you HAVE made it! You make your fans proud and aren't a sell-out! Keepin it Classy, keepin it Canadian!
Kabal TV
I feel like you're not wrong.
Joey Savage
this needs millions of views
Miau Miau
such a great beat <3 like the wings of butterflies in my ear <3
Stolen From Africa TV
lyrics are real, big up! feeling this
JJJUICEBOX
What's crazy is this was the first Classified song I ever heard, and still my favorite, and it's about how he used to be dope, fell off and now is coming back. I didn't know he ever left.