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.
Familiar
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, like this
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Like this
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Bring the noise (yeah), come on
To the break of dawn it's on (uh, yeah)
Oh my God, danger
I'm not a law breaker I'm a law changer
Coming from the woods, I'm the park ranger
I run my empire like Darth Vader
Pack it up, pack it in, Mike Boyd and Class again
Don't it sound familiar man?
We causing shenanigans
We got the same parents, but we both bastards
We so ass backwards, like the writing on ambulances
Now let's get it all in perspective
For all y'all enjoyment, a song y'all connect with
I been through the trenches, fought, and found the exit
Erase my past like old tax per maxes
It's like everywhere I look, and everywhere I go
All these MCs nowadays sounding very old
But I'm feeling brand new, suited up like Harry Gold
Ready for another round like Larry Holmes
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
To the break of dawn it's on
Bring the noise (yeah, yeah)
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Something like this
Yeah boy (hit it)
No matter how I try
I just can't get this off my mind
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy
Yeah, I'm about to hit you with that traditional style I call rocking
We at shows stomping, proceed without caution
No you can't block it, I pick and roll off him
Spit it with no options, until I hit exhaustion
Hit you with no delayin', so what you saying yo? (Yo)
Chillin' for a minute, I'll admit I'm laying low
Like a student, pass the letters I'm the teacher taking notes
I've been watchin', locked in, but now I'm breaking out
And I'm thinking of a master plan
You better work it out and get your practice man
Damn a lot of time is waste to getting wasted
We half in a bag like potato sack races
I see no changes, nah all I see is racist faces
And these tasteless haters, so I stay sedated
And we crop out the negative like Photoshop
Yes yes y'all, and it don't stop
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
To the break of dawn it's on
Bring the noise
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Something like this
Yeah boy (hit it)
No matter how I try
I just can't get this off my mind
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy
Aye yo Mike is chilling, Class is chilling
What more can I say we stay killing 'em
Hit it, bring the noise
Come on, something like this
We are, yeah I said it we are
Never are on the honor roll, but we got the street smarts
Never had to act tough, never tried to be hard
Never went to jail, and I've never seen the ER
Ain't nothing like bass to put a smile on your face
You can hear the 808 from a mile away
And if you see the smoke blowing, then we're higher than planes
Those Boys and their childish ways
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
To the break of dawn it's on
Bring the noise
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Something like this
Yeah boy (hit it)
No matter how I try
I just can't get this off my mind
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy
In Classified's song "Familiar," the lyrics explore themes of familiarity, self-identity, and the state of the music industry. The repetition of the question "Don't it sound a bit familiar?" suggests that the artist recognizes the similarities between his own music and other songs. This repetition also serves as a critique of the lack of originality in contemporary music and emphasizes the artist's desire to create something unique and fresh.
The verse "I'm not a law breaker, I'm a law changer" highlights the artist's belief in his ability to challenge the norms and conventions of the music industry. He sees himself as a "park ranger" who takes charge and controls his own empire, drawing a parallel to the power and authority of Darth Vader. This portrays the artist as a confident and innovative figure, unafraid to challenge established structures.
The lyrics also touch on the artist's personal journey and growth. He mentions overcoming obstacles, fighting through hardships, and ultimately finding a way out of difficult situations. The phrase "Erase my past like old tax per maxes" suggests a desire to move forward and leave behind any negative experiences or influences. It conveys a sense of resilience and determination to rise above adversity.
Furthermore, the lyrics address the artist's frustration with the lack of originality in modern rap music. He expresses a sentiment of feeling disconnected from the current state of the genre, describing many MCs as sounding "very old." This dissatisfaction motivates the artist to reinvent himself and approach his craft with a renewed sense of freshness and vitality.
Overall, "Familiar" showcases Classified's introspective and critical perspective on the music industry, his own growth as an artist, and his pursuit of creating unique, compelling music. The song's lyrics invite listeners to reflect on the state of contemporary music and the importance of authenticity and innovation.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't it sound a bit familiar?
Doesn't it sound somewhat recognizable?
Yeah, like this
Yes, it sounds like this
Bring the noise (yeah), come on
Make some noise and let's go
To the break of dawn it's on (uh, yeah)
We're ready to go all night long
Now when the East is in the house
When the East Coast is represented
Oh my God, danger
There's a sense of excitement and risk
I'm not a law breaker I'm a law changer
I don't break the rules, I change them
Coming from the woods, I'm the park ranger
I come from humble origins and oversee my domain
I run my empire like Darth Vader
I manage my empire with authority and power
Pack it up, pack it in, Mike Boyd and Class again
We're back and ready to deliver
Don't it sound familiar man?
Doesn't it sound familiar, my friend?
We causing shenanigans
We're causing mischief and having fun
We got the same parents, but we both bastards
We have similar backgrounds, but we're both unconventional
We so ass backwards, like the writing on ambulances
We're unconventional and backward, like the writing on ambulances
Now let's get it all in perspective
Now let's understand the situation fully
For all y'all enjoyment, a song y'all connect with
This is a song that you all can relate to and enjoy
I been through the trenches, fought, and found the exit
I've faced challenges and overcome them
Erase my past like old tax per maxes
I'm getting rid of my past like old tax forms
It's like everywhere I look, and everywhere I go
No matter where I look or go
All these MCs nowadays sounding very old
Many rappers nowadays sound outdated
But I'm feeling brand new, suited up like Harry Gold
But I'm feeling fresh and confident, dressed like a stylish person
Ready for another round like Larry Holmes
I'm prepared for another challenge, just like Larry Holmes in boxing
Yeah boy (hit it)
Yes, my friend (let's do it)
No matter how I try
Regardless of my efforts
I just can't get this off my mind
I can't stop thinking about this
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy
I'm going insane, losing my mind
Yeah, I'm about to hit you with that traditional style I call rocking
I'm about to present a classic style of music that I refer to as rocking
We at shows stomping, proceed without caution
We're performing at shows with energy and confidence
No you can't block it, I pick and roll off him
You can't stop me, I adapt and react to any situation
Spit it with no options, until I hit exhaustion
I deliver my lyrics relentlessly, until I'm physically exhausted
Hit you with no delayin', so what you saying yo? (Yo)
I come at you without hesitation, what do you have to say?
Chillin' for a minute, I'll admit I'm laying low
Taking a break for a moment, I confess I'm relaxing
Like a student, pass the letters I'm the teacher taking notes
Just like a student, I'm learning and absorbing knowledge
I've been watchin', locked in, but now I'm breaking out
I've been observing and focused, but now I'm ready to step forward
And I'm thinking of a master plan
And I'm strategizing a detailed plan
You better work it out and get your practice man
You need to figure it out and improve your skills
Damn a lot of time is waste to getting wasted
A lot of time is spent on unproductive activities
We half in a bag like potato sack races
We're partially intoxicated, like participants in potato sack races
I see no changes, nah all I see is racist faces
I see no progress or improvement, just people with prejudiced views
And these tasteless haters, so I stay sedated
And these hateful individuals have no substance, so I numb myself
And we crop out the negative like Photoshop
We remove the negativity from our lives, just like editing in Photoshop
Yes yes y'all, and it don't stop
Yes, we're continuing to succeed and progress
We are, yeah I said it we are
We exist, yes, I've said it, we exist
Never are on the honor roll, but we got the street smarts
We may not excel academically, but we possess practical knowledge
Never had to act tough, never tried to be hard
We never needed to be aggressive or show off
Never went to jail, and I've never seen the ER
We've stayed out of trouble and avoided serious injuries
Ain't nothing like bass to put a smile on your face
There's nothing quite like the bass in music to make you happy
You can hear the 808 from a mile away
You can clearly hear the bass sound, even from a long distance
And if you see the smoke blowing, then we're higher than planes
If you observe smoke rising, it means we're extremely intoxicated
Those Boys and their childish ways
Those individuals and their immature behaviors
Aye yo Mike is chilling, Class is chilling
Hey, Mike and Class are relaxing
What more can I say we stay killing 'em
There's nothing else to say, we continue to impress and succeed
Hit it, bring the noise
Let's do it, make some noise
We are, never are on the honor roll, but we got the street smarts
We exist, we may not excel academically, but we possess practical knowledge
Never had to act tough, never tried to be hard
We've never needed to be aggressive or show off
Never went to jail, and I've never seen the ER
We've stayed out of trouble and avoided serious injuries
Ain't nothing like bass to put a smile on your face
There's nothing quite like the bass in music to make you happy
You can hear the 808 from a mile away
You can clearly hear the bass sound, even from a long distance
And if you see the smoke blowing, then we're higher than planes
If you observe smoke rising, it means we're extremely intoxicated
Those Boys and their childish ways
Those individuals and their immature behaviors
No matter how I try
Regardless of my efforts
I just can't get this off my mind
I can't stop thinking about this
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy
I'm going insane, losing my mind
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Arthur Pelrine, Luke Boyd, Mark Richard Pellizzer, Michael Reid Boyd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aubreyfolks
how does this not even have 100k views. makes no sense
@daLight13
Because it's not available on mobile...
@leafsgirl86
Simply the best Canadian artist!! 15 albums and 21 years later... If you don't know, now ya'll know! Mad respect to these Super Nova Scotians!
@CBDMagicCanada
I saw Classified perform live and he is just as amazing! Representing Canada's finest no doubt, eh!?
@BIGGESTxxEMINEMxxFAN
Classified is clearly one of the best artists ever to be heard, no fake studio gangsta persona's like you find with mainstream "rap" now and no fake adjusted lyrics because the record company said so. Real music, real artist. I'm getting that new classified album.
@inappropriatern8060
One of my favorite hip hop songs of all time.
@BenMilli
I love the references to other people's lyrics... And the switch up of them
@frankwhite7878
Class has been one of my favorite rappers for years, but mic boyd is the real shit!! its a real shame lost in the woods didnt blow up like it should of cause that album is so tight. every song the bros has, gets me smiling like a fool their connection is sick. keep it up mic, and you too class
@tomshea13
Always love the Class and Mic Boyd songs! Wooooooooo
@Hello-bt1wr
New fav song, the Boyd boy's kill it together, can't wait to see them New years.