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.
That Ain
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They call me mr. negativity, call it how I see yes I'm back in the vicinity
Bringing what you need plus all of the...
Know what you can say... running the mail, running the drill, none of it's real, celebrity
I... any other getting me, I am more mystery mentally of physically,
Yeah I've seen the bright lights ever so vividly
Party with the star types and make them with the industry
Flame boiling wannabe, o so flashy, if you ask me that really isn't classy
You never see me with my sunglasses on in the club dancing on the tables to my old song, getting...
And you never see me with a couple bottles of Chris trying to pick up on a chick
Like bitch you want this? That ain't classy
The radio's playing my song, and I got a record that put me on,
But I still stay classy, still stay classy, still stay classy, I'm a do what I gotta do...
If you're not believing this song enough to hate them, don't care what they're saying, I ain't changing
That ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy
Oh, hey yo, my daily insecurities caught me locked down like I'm sitting in security
Getting locked down and it never did occurred to me, it presented perfectly verbally
My certainties could turn into my currencies, you never see my shirt wide open
With the chest hair blowing in the wind I know it
You never see me loose it trying to justify my music
At award shows cause I didn't win I know it
I won't become extravagant cause you're my management
And the guys are with they havening
I'm just an average man who happen to have a plan
That might have the fun of who I am to attract the fan
And don't be mad cause I never pop bottles
I don't waste for money I save my money return and pop bottles
Don't hate, wait, I ain't trying to say, I'm trying to get pay
I'm trying to work money I make, that's classy
The radio's playing my song, and I got a record that put me on,
But I still stay classy, still stay classy, still stay classy, I'm a do what I gotta do...
If you're not believing this song enough to hate them, don't care what they're saying, I ain't changing
That ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy
You want it you need it, I got it, you want you need it, I got it
Yeah, now I'm the one making many beats, pumping in the trunk
I'm the one smoking many trees, smoking in the club
I'm the one getting loose, Friday night, having fun
Spilling drinks on the wifey when I'm a little drunk
That's classy, I guess some made them, I'm often hating cause they're all relating
And I don't feel offended, everyone can say them piece
I just really hate pretending so all you get is me, that's classy
The radio's playing my song, and I got a record that put me on,
But I still stay classy, still stay classy, still stay classy, I'm a do what I gotta do
If you're not believing this song enough to hate them, don't care what they're saying, I ain't changing
That ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy, that ain't classy
You want it you need it, I got it, you want you need it, I got it.
The song "That Ain't Classy" by Classified is a criticism of the self-centered, flashy behavior often seen in the entertainment industry. Classified refers to himself as Mr. Negativity, but explains that he is just calling it as he sees it. He doesn't see the need for another hero, and would rather relate to real people. He refuses to engage in behavior that he deems unclassy, such as dancing on tables or trying to pick up chicks with flashy bottles of champagne. Instead, he takes pride in being an average man with a plan who is focused on making money and producing quality music.
Classified goes on to explain that he doesn't feel the need to justify his music at award shows or live extravagantly just because he is successful. He believes that spending money on experiences rather than material possessions is a more responsible way to live, and that living a simple life is classy. He acknowledges that some people may hate him for being honest and not pretending to be someone he's not, but he refuses to change himself to please others.
Overall, the message of Classified's "That Ain't Classy" is that true class comes from being true to oneself and living a responsible, grounded life.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me mr. negativity, call it how I see yes I'm back in the vicinity
I am often referred to as negative, but I speak the truth and that's what matters. I am back in the area, ready to provide you with what you need.
Bringing what you need plus all of the...
I am here to provide you with what you need and more.
Know what you can say... running the mail, running the drill, none of it's real, celebrity
There are a lot of people who claim to have it all, but they are just running their mouths. They do not possess the real skills and qualities of a true celebrity.
I... any other getting me, I am more mystery mentally of physically,
I am not like any other musician out there. I possess a certain sense of mystery, both mentally and physically.
Yeah I've seen the bright lights ever so vividly
I have had my fair share of experiences in the spotlight and it has been eye-opening.
Party with the star types and make them with the industry
I have partied with many famous individuals and have made connections within the industry.
But geez, we don't need another hero, I relay to real people, not these self centered weirdo's
We do not need another person claiming to be a hero. I relay my message to real people, not those who are self-centered and strange.
Flame boiling wannabe, o so flashy, if you ask me that really isn't classy
Those who act flashy and want to be like celebrities are not classy in my opinion.
You never see me with my sunglasses on in the club dancing on the tables to my old song, getting...
You will never catch me dancing on tables in a club wearing sunglasses and playing my own music.
And you never see me with a couple bottles of Chris trying to pick up on a chick
You will never see me trying to impress someone by buying expensive bottles of champagne.
Like bitch you want this? That ain't classy
I would never try to pick up someone by asking them if they want what I have. That is not classy.
The radio's playing my song, and I got a record that put me on,
My song is playing on the radio and it has launched my career.
But I still stay classy, still stay classy, still stay classy, I'm a do what I gotta do...
Despite my success, I still maintain my sense of class and professionalism.
If you're not believing this song enough to hate them, don't care what they're saying, I ain't changing
If you do not like my music enough to hate me, that's okay. I am not going to change who I am or what I create.
Oh, hey yo, my daily insecurities caught me locked down like I'm sitting in security
My insecurities weigh me down every day, making me feel trapped and like I am sitting in a security cell.
Getting locked down and it never did occurred to me, it presented perfectly verbally
I never realized how much my insecurities weighed me down until I expressed them verbally and it all made sense.
My certainties could turn into my currencies, you never see my shirt wide open
My strong beliefs could become profitable for me. Also, I do not believe in exposing myself in a vulgar manner.
With the chest hair blowing in the wind I know it
I would never open my shirt to show off my chest hair, as I find it distasteful.
You never see me loose it trying to justify my music
I do not feel the need to defend my music, as I am confident in what I create.
At award shows cause I didn't win I know it
I will not get upset at award shows for not winning, as I know the value of my music regardless of awards.
I won't become extravagant cause you're my management
I will not allow my management to make me become extravagant or lose sight of who I am.
And the guys are with they havening
I trust my team and know they have my best interests at heart.
I'm just an average man who happen to have a plan
I am just an average person who happens to have a clear vision for my future.
That might have the fun of who I am to attract the fan
My unique personality and sense of fun is what attracts my fans.
And don't be mad cause I never pop bottles
Do not be upset with me because I do not waste my money on expensive bottles of alcohol.
I don't waste for money I save my money return and pop bottles
I am responsible with my money and choose to save it rather than waste it, but when the time is right, I will celebrate by popping bottles.
Don't hate, wait, I ain't trying to say, I'm trying to get pay
Do not hate on me for trying to make a living and provide for myself and my family.
I'm trying to work money I make, that's classy
I am working hard for the money I make and consider that to be classy.
Yeah, now I'm the one making many beats, pumping in the trunk
I am now the one creating new music and experiencing success with it.
I'm the one smoking many trees, smoking in the club
I am not ashamed to admit that I smoke marijuana, and I may do so in a club setting.
I'm the one getting loose, Friday night, having fun
I like to let loose and have fun on a Friday night.
Spilling drinks on the wifey when I'm a little drunk
I may accidentally spill a drink on my significant other when I have had too much to drink.
That's classy, I guess some made them, I'm often hating cause they're all relating
Some may consider my behavior to be classy, while others hate on me because they cannot relate to it.
And I don't feel offended, everyone can say them piece
I am not bothered by what others say about me, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I just really hate pretending so all you get is me, that's classy
I hate pretending to be someone I am not, so I always show my true self. That is what I consider classy.
You want it you need it, I got it, you want you need it, I got it
I have what you want and need, and I am ready to provide it to you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID CHRISTENSEN, JAMES ROBERTSON, LUKE BOYD, MICHAEL BOYD, MIKE FOX, UNKNOWN WRITERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FlowersandMotorcycles
This song is underrated. It's awesome and motivating
What the What Huh?
@RascalFascal Agreed!!
What the What Huh?
Agreed 👍
don cs
Good hip hop alwasy is
MITTEL.PUNKT
Germany loves
RascalFascal
and inspiring...no matter what you have how much money you got or how famous you are. or how broke and devistated you are..always stay classy. great message. ;-)
John Bernado
One of the many reasons I love Classified is he isn't trying to be all ''Gangster'' he just writes some damn good songs that I can totally relate to.
David Firth
Probably is pretty gangster tho being on the east cost of canada shit is hard there
Kimani Grere
I was watching my father playing Madden 12. While he was on the main menu, I heard this song. And I instantly fell in love with it. It just interested me for some reason.
Daiwuap
here from madden also lmao