Classified (rapper)

Classified

Classified is an underground Canadian rapper and producer from Enfield, Nova Scotia.

His 2005 album Boy-Cott-In the Industry reached #46 on SoundScan's Canadian R&B charts. His singles "The Maritimes", "5th Element" and "No Mistakes" were all Top 20 hits on MuchMusic and MTV Canada that year. His video for "No Mistakes" won an MMVA for MuchVibe Best Rap Video. His eleventh album, Hitch Hikin' Music, was released on September 19, 2006.

Career

Classified attended East Hants Rural High School in Milford, Nova Scotia. After two years of perfecting his craft and sorting through label contracts, Classified produced, recorded and released his ninth album, Trial & Error, and signed a nationwide distribution deal with Toronto-based, URBNET Records. Containing collaborations with up-and-coming Canadian artists like Eternia and DL Incognito, as well as Canadian rap veteran, Maestro, the album was one of the highest selling independent rap albums in Canada in 2004.

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 former Columbia Records recording artist, Royce Da 5'9" and opened for Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, The Game 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, Spesh K, and Mic Boyd (Classified's younger brother and fellow MC).

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 rock song "All About U", featuring singer Chad Hatcher, Classified shows the extent of his growth from his early releases. He eschews the current bling-bling culture of popular hip hop to remind people that life is not about trying to impress others. In "Hip Hop Star," he muses about how some people act like he's a major celebrity, while others ask "when the hell he's gonna make it". 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".

Early Life
Classified was born on June 16, 1987 under the name of Luke Boyd. He attended and graduated from Hants East Rural High School in the small town of Milford, Nova Scotia with a population of of 3,245.

Career Boost
After falling to create recognition in the underground Canadian rap industry, Classified found an opportunity that would aid him to further his career. By utilizing his talents he became the opening act for some of the most notorious names in the rap industry such as Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, The Game, and Black Moon.

Featured Artists
Classified has experimented with many different types of international and underground artists throughout his career. While doing this, he was able to stay true to his Canadian heritage but also create acknowledgment internationally. He has featured many Canadian artists in his recorded work including hip-hop legends Maestro, Choclair, DL Incognito, and Spesh K. Classified has also experimented with artists outside of Canada, for example, Eminem’s one time best friend, rival and greatly respected Detroit rapper Royce da 5’9”.

Break Through Album
Classified released nine albums prior to his breakthrough hit record Trial & Error. Its success helped lead to his signing a of distribution deal with the nationwide Toronto-based record company, Urbnet Records. The high quality of Classifieds strong use of technical precision and refinement of his work lead to the success of Trial & Error, ultimately making it one of the highest selling underground rap records within Canada in 2004. During its initial popularity Classified and VideoFACT teamed up to release two hit video singles “Just the Way It Is” and “Unexpected.”

Producing
Classified is traditionally known for creating beats with a boom-dap sound but has more recently introduced live instruments into his productions including flute, sax, guitar, and bass. These new instruments create a drastic change in the sound that is unlike any of Classified’s other work. This change is direction further develops the anticipation of Classified’s next recorded album The Day Before tomorrow. Classified has also started producing and developing beats for many other recording artists such as Jordan Croucher and Jay Bizzy.

Thoughts on the Music Industry
After ten years in the rap industry Classified has been exposed to every aspect of the business and has grown as an artist and as a businessman. He believes that as an art, Canadian rap music is presently the highest quality it has ever been. The industry, however, has many short comings when marketing a rap album as it has taken a trial and error approach. By doing this the mistakes made on marketing an artist’s record are fixed on other albums hindering artists due to consumer’s inability to take kindly to miss marketed albums.

The Day Before Tomorrow
Classifieds upcoming album The Day Before Tomorrow is growing in anticipation but has yet to have its release date announced. This upcoming album has directed away from his original song interlude format to one Classified describes as choose your own adventure. The premise is based off the idea that the tracks are analogous to childhood stories which allow you to review continuously. Classified has reported that his new songs include a roster of acclaimed artists such as K-OS and maritime local, Joel Plaskett. Classified has also arranged to incorporate some of his past featured artists such as Choclair, Maestro and Royce Da 5’9”.

Staying Close to his Heritage
Even after acquiring a high degree of success as well as traveling on tour throughout North America, Classified has managed to keep an undemanding lifestyle. He currently resides in a house on the same street that his brother and sister live, a few streets away from his parent’s house. Classified has said he is not interested in living in the city as it tends to be an expensive lifestyle and he desires a home with a pleasant backyard in the comfort of his family and friends.

Trivia
Real Name: Luke Boyd
Birth Day: June 16
Favourite Canadian Rapper: Maestro Fresh Wes and Saukrates
Favourite Non Rapping Artist: John Mayer
Created his own record label
Bothers Name: Mike Boyd
Classifieds One Time Manager: Garnet Estabrooks (Martin Finch)
Classifieds website:www.myspace.com/hiphopclassified
Classifieds old manager was a part of this group: Dead Poets Society

Discography

• Time's Up – 1995
• One Shot – 1996
• What Happened – 1996
• Information – 1997
• Now Whut! – 1998
• Touch of Class – 1999
• Unpredictable – 2000
• Union Dues – 2001
• Trial & Error – 2003
• Boy-Cott-In the Industry– 2005
• Hitch Hikin' Music – 2006
• While You Were Sleeping – 2007

Singles

• "Gossip/This Is For" – 2003
• "Heavy Artillery" (featuring Rocky Ninja) – 2003
• "Unexpected" – 2004
• "Just the Way It Is" (featuring Eternia, DL Incognito & Maestro Fresh Wes) – 2004
• "5th Element" – 2005
• "Unexplainable Hunger" (featuring Royce Da 5'9" & Choclair) – 2005
• "The Maritimes" – 2005
• "No Mistakes" – 2006
• "Find Out" – 2006
• "Feelin Fine Remix" (featuring Jordan Croucher & Jay Bizzy) – 2006
• "All About U" (featuring Chad Hatcher) – 2007
• "Hard to Be Hip Hop" (featuring Maestro Fresh Wes & DJ IV) – 2007
• "Fall from Paradise " 2007

External links

• Classified official HalfLife Records website
• Template:Myspace
• Classified video interview on mindyourmind.ca

References

Year	Single	Chart	Position
2006	"Find Out"	MuchMusic Countdown	17
2007	"All About U"	MuchMusic Countdown	20