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.
Quit While You're Ahead
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better quit while you're ahead
Ah that's what I said, or you're better off dead
Hey eh, you better quit while you're ahead
[Verse 1: Choclair]
I told ya (yeah)
I did (I did, I did)
They persistent with fuckin with me
I'm just that real laid back, chill bat, smokin them trees
But yo I turn into some African bees (if you're fuckin with me)
I'm unmatched, unpassed, since way back
Up upon them blocks, rockin MCM hats
Just spittin at these people like I'm swingin a bat
At Scarborough Village, where the pillage was at
(You better quit while you're)
All them girls in them pum pum shorts, where they wanted it fat (yes)
Yo, I ain't braggin, I'm just spittin the facts
No exaggeration (naw), no grippin on my balls for charm
A Big Mac with no lettuce and sauce
Now my collar bone is filled with stars and got stripes down the arm
Got Class in the cut, pull the pin out the bomb, brother
Yo, so let them horns blow (yeah)
We're reppin this here because you all asked for it, so yo
[Chorus x2: w/ ad libs]
[talking behind Chorus: Choclair]
I told ya
I told ya
[Verse 2: Classified]
I ain't goin nowhere, I got my people in here
We still got it after all the smoke clears
Now speakin mathematically, there's no comparin to my strategy
Tryin to measure up, I appreciate the flattery
But half of these rappers are half of a beat backwards
Claimin they on point man, ch-check the stats first
I've dropped 12 albums with at least 12 songs in the last 12 years
Do the math right there
That's 144, on a one a month average
And that don't even count what I produced for other rappers
(You better quit while you're)
Done 5 tours, with 20 shows or more
And that's only dating back to 2004
Let's not forget the other years that don't apply to
Now name another rapper tourin Canada like I do
I know I am, on the top of this
And I know I have, many accomplices
If the numbers add up you can't get rid of me
So kid, know your past or your future will be history
[Chorus: w/ ad libs]
[Verse 3: Maestro]
The Maes, the Maes is smooth and here to soothe you when
MC's lose, he keeps improvin
'Cause he keeps comin back with more and more hits
(Ahh shit), suckers better quit
When you touch my first record, then we can talk
Start prayin, start fastin, then we can walk
I'm makin movies now, while rappers still runnin their lips
Get off my dick, I'm tryin to study my script
(You better quit while you're)
I got politicians callin 'cause I'm influential
Beat makers want my voice on their instrumentals
Rappers makin mixtapes, then they get out of line
Except I've never seen a record yet do better than mine
They just keep recyclin, not excitin
Never the less I just put it to rest 'cause Wes keeps enticin them
'Stro fans wonder how he's gonna flow next
But all you gotta know is that he so Fresh Wes
(Godfather, God bless), still I spark the flame
Only rapper from Toronto on the Walk Of Fame
Now who you think Toronto trusts more - me or you?
Who you think Toronto loves more - me or you?
Son I'm not tryin to say that I'm better than y'all
I'm just on another level than y'all, so just move
[Chorus x2: w/ ad libs]
[Verse 4: Moka Only (Classified)]
Man y'all can't talk about stats without puttin your boy Moka in
(Yo, that's why I got at you man, let 'em know)
You see my braggin rights could be wrote on the longest list
The most prolific rapper in the world that fits
In my palm like this, my likeness is ubiquitous
36 albums underneath my belt
I whip 'em off like they Bisquick biscuits bitch
And ain't many that can deal with the heat that's felt
Rappers on the thing underneath my briefs and belt
I said (you better quit while you're ahead)
Mok a kept on with the keep on
You can't sleep on, so get gone and go get my coffee gopher
The girls on my toblerone, the bone her
Head stat on your cold toner
I've got the Junos and the platinum plaques back at home
7 MMVAs, I can hold my own
A known felon when it come to the microphone chrome
Choclair, Class, Maestro and Moka Only, let's go
[Chorus]
[talking behind the Chorus: Moka Only]
Man we got stats
Comin at ya like some baseball bats
You fall flat, fall back nigga
The song "Quit While You're Ahead" by Classified featuring Choclair, Maestro, and Moka Only is a rap song that discusses the struggles and accomplishments of these Canadian artists in the music industry. The chorus emphasizes the importance of knowing when to quit before it's too late, while the verses boast about their successes and skills as rappers. Choclair's verse describes his laid back persona, but warns others not to mess with him because he can turn into an aggressive force. Classified's verse analyzes his careers' longevity and the number of albums and tours he has done throughout the years, proving that he is not going anywhere. Maestro's verse discusses his past record-breaking achievements and successful ventures, such as his involvement in making movies. Moka Only's verse boasts about his extensive catalog of 36 albums, his awards, and his talent as a rapper.
The song highlights the rap skills and achievements of each artist. It emphasizes the amount of hard work, dedication, and time that was required to reach their level of success in the music industry. Additionally, the song conveys the message that in this industry, it is not always easy to stay relevant and push through obstacles, but the artists keep going because of their passion and love for their craft.
Line by Line Meaning
You better quit while you're ahead
Stop while you're ahead, or else face death.
Ah that's what I said, or you're better off dead
I repeat, if you don't stop now, you'll be in trouble.
Now, a lot of MC's walkin with no knees
Many rappers have fallen due to their persistence in competing with me.
They persistent with fuckin with me
Many rappers continue to compete with me despite the inevitable loss.
I'm just that real laid back, chill bat, smokin them trees
I'm a relaxed person who likes to smoke marijuana.
But yo I turn into some African bees (if you're fuckin with me)
Don't mess with me, or I'll turn into something aggressive and powerful.
I'm unmatched, unpassed, since way back
I have always been unbeatable and unchallenged from the beginning.
At Scarborough Village, where the pillage was at
At Scarborough Village, where there used to be looting and destruction.
And that don't even count what I produced for other rappers
This number doesn't include the songs I produced for other rappers.
Done 5 tours, with 20 shows or more
I have done 5 tours, each with 20 or more shows.
Let's not forget the other years that don't apply to
Not to mention the other years that I wasn't even counting.
Get off my dick, I'm tryin to study my script
Stop bothering me, I'm busy working on my script.
They just keep recyclin, not excitin
Other rappers keep repeating the same thing without coming up with anything new or exciting.
Who you think Toronto loves more - me or you?
Who do you think the people of Toronto love more - me or you?
And ain't many that can deal with the heat that's felt
Not many can handle the level of skill I possess.
I whip 'em off like they Bisquick biscuits bitch
I release albums frequently and easily.
A known felon when it come to the microphone chrome
I am infamous for my microphone skills.
Man we got stats
We have the statistics to back up our claims.
Comin at ya like some baseball bats
We're coming at you with our impressive numbers, like baseball bats.
You fall flat, fall back nigga
Don't even try to compete with us, back off.
Contributed by Sarah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
matt mcdowell
2020, and still banging. I'm from georgia, and I love my class, like I love my mtn dew.
Kevin Hall
sick track, class is a true canadian hip hop artist, i have been following him since 2000, he just keeps getting better and better!
KallipsoRose
As an American I have to say props to Canada. Both of our countries have the entire spectrum from good to bad. Insisting on hating something because of where it is from is your right but it makes you miss out on a lot of things. There is a difference between pride and ignorance. All the more reason to appreciate good music no matter where it is from!
Nas B
1:34-1:43 is hands down one of my favorite set of lines from any track-class is one of a few who get better and better and better with every album
Darryl Bishop
"So Kid know your past...or your future will be history!" Sick....Choclair and Classified are killin it...even tho the last cat basically called out Kardinal in his verse...
Andrew Manara
Class is just that
JB Abyss
I don't see where you hear that at? he literally listed his accomplishments
Linsaey L. W.
Stellar video b'ys... Class you just keep getting better. Looking forward to hearing more new shit.
Ataris
THIS IS SERIOUSLY AND LITERALLY THE BEST MUSIC VIDEO/VIDEO EVER I HAVE EVER SEEN!! well done! WOOOOOO
Wizzdumm Headley
One of the greatest hip hop tracks of ALL TIME !!!