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.
Hold Your Own
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Verse: Classified]
They might say I lead a simple life, the type that don't excite
And yes I like to smoke more than light 'til night
I realize I got a problem, I'm high way too often
And only seem to acknowledge it after I indulge in it
Pull in my driveway, walk through my front door
See I like to eat before I slumber
Brushin my teeth and gettin clean, helps me to find my comfort
Jump in my bed and turn the TV back on
I feel like I was just here, the day don't ever last long
I feel like everyday's a cycle, I've learned to accept it
There's a lot of scenes to see, I need to learn to direct it
I turn the TV off and start brainstormin
Try to figure what I'm gonna do in the mornin
I know what it brings, I wonder what's in store though
I wonder what the hell I'm gonna do for tomorrow (do for tomorrow...)
[Male Narrator's Voice]
Goodnight, we'll see you tomorrow
In Classified's song "Hold Your Own," he discusses the mundane aspects of his life, from his routine of smoking and eating before bed to his struggles with acknowledging his addiction. Classified uses the lyrics to showcase his self-awareness and struggles with his own behavior, showing that even though his life may seem simple, it's not without its complications. He acknowledges that every day feels like a cycle, but he tries to find comfort in the routine.
Through the use of his narrative style of rap, Classified creates a laid-back and reflective vibe. He shows vulnerability by admitting his addiction and hinting at his uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring. The male narrator's voice at the end of Classified's verse represents the end of his day and the start of another and hints at the repetition of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
They might say I lead a simple life, the type that don't excite
People may perceive my life to be uneventful and dull
And yes I like to smoke more than light 'til night
I have a smoking habit that I indulge in throughout the day and night
I realize I got a problem, I'm high way too often
I am self-aware that my smoking habit is becoming an issue
And only seem to acknowledge it after I indulge in it
I only recognize my problematic smoking after engaging in it
Pull in my driveway, walk through my front door
I arrive home, park in my driveway, and enter through the front door
Then make a bowl of cereal to conquer my hunger
I prepare a bowl of cereal to satisfy my hunger
See I like to eat before I slumber
I prefer to eat before going to bed
Brushin my teeth and gettin clean, helps me to find my comfort
Maintaining good hygiene helps me feel comfortable
Jump in my bed and turn the TV back on
I get into bed and resume watching television
I feel like I was just here, the day don't ever last long
I feel like the day passed by quickly and I was just in bed
I feel like everyday's a cycle, I've learned to accept it
I've come to terms with the repetitive nature of each day
There's a lot of scenes to see, I need to learn to direct it
There are opportunities to make the most of in life, and I need to take control
I turn the TV off and start brainstormin
I turn off the television and start thinking
Try to figure what I'm gonna do in the mornin
I contemplate what activities to do the next day
I know what it brings, I wonder what's in store though
I am aware of the consequences of my actions, but curious about what the future holds
I wonder what the hell I'm gonna do for tomorrow (do for tomorrow...)
I am uncertain about how to spend my time tomorrow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bobbyromino
THIS is crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! CLASS for the win bitchess!
Tyler Barnes
Still slaps in 2019
SugarRayRay
I never gave him as much credit as he deserved when he was coming up. Now I think he's the best rapper Canada ever produced
NITROEERO
what a classic tune one of his bet.
Sjoerd Err
classified is what people want these days, some music not about ho's drugs money? he raps with a reason thats what i missed along time.
jade
miss this :'(
brandon page
Real Rap Music !!!
NeverEndingHeavensM
+Marcus Grosomanidis you know Rap is where Hip Hop came from, right?
Marcus Grosomanidis
"Rap" is not real music. this is classic hip-hop and it's the best shit on the planet
tyler grattan
Fucking love this song,