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.
This Is For
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(for the MC's, for the Dj's)
(grafitti, the beatboys)
(please come up to the front)
Shit I'm up late
Tryin' to re-record my dubb tape
It's love hate-and this game is in a rough state
Some kids hate and wanna show up at my club dates
(go and talk shit I'll) shut you up with duct tape
This is goin' out to DJ's with vinyls
For every hip hop head-black to albino
Record executives who still got they spinal
Drop this for kids who wear they pants low in high school
(come on) And nothin' ever comes for free
Imma send this out to everyone who runs with me
Help me build up and live life comfortably
I'll remember everything that you've done for me
So let me talk
Clear out my brain and get props
Spit this for kids with a real love of hip hop
Fuck all the "blah blah blah blah same thing
where everybody says the same thing"
I can't stand that
This is for the girls who got their mans back
Can appreciate a song that ain't a dance track
Spittin' this right here for everyone who's original
Drop somethin' different not the same old
(ya'll know the name)
class, get em' up
(claimin' that you pack heat)
(what-the fuck)
(represent hip hop, MC's, Dj's, grafitti)
(dancin' we be hoppin' and boppin')
Haha
Yo I'll admit life is tricky
I know some kids in this game who'd die to hit me-jealous bastards
Open your mouth and you're gettin' slapped backwards
Drop this for kids who have a beer and are plastered
Spittin' this for the marajuana smokers
For anybody-high, drunk, or sober
I drop this for painters and every street breaker
The 5th element of hip hop-the beat makers
Got beef-we'll meet later
I got more important things to do
Then start shit and swing with you
(but bring your crew)
And when I got time
I'll spit a verse off the top of the head
"Your career seein' stop signs"
Drop rhymes
That make you stop tryin'
In the right mind
So I never pop mines
Can't afford lost time
I need to keep movin'
(I will win this game)
Cause I can't afford losin'
(go ahead) This is for the ones I hung around with
(go ahead) This is for the ones who kept me grounded
(and the rest of y'all) This is for the haters who hate me
Lately I couldn't care less-I wish you all the best
Sendin' this out to everyone in Halifax
Ha
Joe Run, Jolly Green, Flex Man, my man J-Bru, Bonshah, can't forget Ground
Squad, Spesh K, J-Bizzy, my little brother Mic B, M2R Entertainment, Trobiz
Mista Kaspa, TKO, (ha) and Dj Ivy on the cuts
The song "This Is For" by Canadian rapper Classified is an ode to the hip hop culture and everyone who is a part of it. The lyrics focus on giving shoutouts to DJs, MCs, graffiti artists, and beatboys, and calling out those who hate on the culture. The rapper acknowledges the challenges of the music industry and the jealousy and animosity that can come with it, but he remains focused on creating something different and authentic that stands out from the norm.
The song starts with Classified talking about the late nights spent working on his music and dealing with the ups and downs of the industry. He then goes on to give props to DJs who still spin vinyl, as well as those who appreciate hip hop regardless of their skin color or background. The rapper also shows love to his colleagues who have helped him along the way and asks for their continued support.
As the song progresses, Classified addresses the negativity and cynicism that sometimes pervades the hip hop world, calling for something more original and impactful. He raps about the different types of people who enjoy hip hop, from those who like to party to those who use it as a form of artistic expression. Finally, he gives shoutouts to specific individuals in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, highlighting the importance of community and support in the hip hop culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Shit I'm up late
I'm losing sleep over my passion for music
Tryin' to re-record my dubb tape
I'm putting in extra effort for a better final product
It's love hate-and this game is in a rough state
I have mixed feelings about the music industry, as it's not easy to succeed
Some kids hate and wanna show up at my club dates
Jealous individuals may try to ruin my shows
(go and talk shit I'll) shut you up with duct tape
I won't tolerate any disrespectful behavior and will silence haters
This is goin' out to DJ's with vinyls
This song is dedicated to old school DJs who used vinyl records
For every hip hop head-black to albino
This track is for everyone who loves hip hop, regardless of skin color
Record executives who still got they spinal
Shoutout to music executives who still have integrity
Drop this for kids who wear they pants low in high school
This song is for teenagers who identify with hip hop fashion
(come on) And nothin' ever comes for free
Success in the music industry isn't handed out for free
Imma send this out to everyone who runs with me
This song is for my collaborators and supporters
Help me build up and live life comfortably
Let's work together to find success and stability in this industry
I'll remember everything that you've done for me
I won't forget the contributions of my supporters
So let me talk
Let me get some things off my chest
Clear out my brain and get props
I want to express myself and gain recognition for my skills
Spit this for kids with a real love of hip hop
This song is for true hip hop fans
Fuck all the "blah blah blah blah same thing
I'm tired of hearing the same basic content from other rappers
where everybody says the same thing"
The repetition in the industry is boring to me
I can't stand that
I'm fed up with the lack of creativity in mainstream hip hop
This is for the girls who got their mans back
This song is for supportive partners
Can appreciate a song that ain't a dance track
Not every song has to be a dance hit to be enjoyable
Spittin' this right here for everyone who's original
This song is for unique individuals
Drop somethin' different not the same old
I want to set myself apart from other artists with original content
(ya'll know the name)
I'm a known artist in the industry
class, get em' up
I want to hype up the crowd
(claimin' that you pack heat)
I don't respect rappers who brag about carrying weapons
(what-the fuck)
That behavior is unacceptable
(represent hip hop, MC's, Dj's, grafitti)
This song is for all aspects of hip hop culture
(dancin' we be hoppin' and boppin')
My music gets people moving and grooving
Yo I'll admit life is tricky
I understand that life can be tough
I know some kids in this game who'd die to hit me-jealous bastards
I have haters who are envious of my success
Open your mouth and you're gettin' slapped backwards
I won't tolerate any disrespect or negative comments
Drop this for kids who have a beer and are plastered
This song is for partygoers who want to have a good time
Spittin' this for the marajuana smokers
This song is for those who enjoy smoking weed
For anybody-high, drunk, or sober
Everyone can enjoy this track, regardless of state of mind
I drop this for painters and every street breaker
This song is for graffiti artists and street dancers
The 5th element of hip hop-the beat makers
Beat making is an integral part of hip hop culture
Got beef-we'll meet later
If anyone wants to start something with me, we can deal with it later
I got more important things to do
I have bigger priorities than fighting
Then start shit and swing with you
I won't waste my time with pointless arguments or physical altercations
(but bring your crew)
If there must be conflict, come with backup
And when I got time
I'll make time for what's important
I'll spit a verse off the top of the head
I can freestyle rap
"Your career seein' stop signs"
Your music career isn't going anywhere
Drop rhymes
I will continue to make music
That make you stop tryin'
I'm so good that other artists get discouraged
In the right mind
People who appreciate good hip hop will recognize my talent
So I never pop mines
I won't resort to drugs or violence to cope with the pressures of the industry
Can't afford lost time
I have to make the most of my time in order to be successful
I need to keep movin'
I can't get complacent, I have to keep pushing forward
(I will win this game)
I'm determined to succeed in the music industry
Cause I can't afford losin'
Failure is not an option
(go ahead) This is for the ones I hung around with
This song is for my friends and supporters
(go ahead) This is for the ones who kept me grounded
They've helped me stay focused and humble
(and the rest of y'all) This is for the haters who hate me
I won't let their negativity bring me down
Lately I couldn't care less-I wish you all the best
I've learned to not let the haters get to me, and I hope they find happiness
Sendin' this out to everyone in Halifax
Shoutout to my hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Joe Run, Jolly Green, Flex Man, my man J-Bru, Bonshah, can't forget Ground
Names of fellow artists and collaborators
Squad, Spesh K, J-Bizzy, my little brother Mic B, M2R Entertainment, Trobiz
More shoutouts to fellow artists and companies
Mista Kaspa, TKO, (ha) and Dj Ivy on the cuts
Name drops of even more artists and a DJ
Contributed by Isabella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.