Classified Self-Explanatory Review
Thursday, May 7th, 2009“I’ve dropped twelve albums with at least twelve songs in the past twelve years do the math right there that’s one hundred forty four on a one a month average and that don’t even count what I’ve produced for other rappers” – Classified quit while you’re ahead.
Classified has been quietly, but steadily, producing consistent solid hip hop. I caught on late but ever since I listened to Hitch Hikin music I have been a fan of this Nova Scotia born word and beat smith. When I heard he was dropping his latest effort, Self-Explanatory, I knew it would be worth the price of admission.
While this might be Classifieds thirteenth (!!) studio album it’s not cursed or hexed in any way, shape, or form. Classified is a unique hip hop artist since he isn’t flamboyant or boastful like a lot of the artists of today, he also doesn’t have to depend on guest artists to sing a hook via auto-tune for people to make a great track. As Class spits on Oh Canada he’s “still doing rap like the 1990’s but that’s how we like it off timed and grimy”.
Classified isn’t reaching to make the type of hip hop that’s hot right now he’s making the type that comes from the heart and works as an unfiltered emotional release.
Behind bloodshot eyes, a calm persona and laid back flow lurks an extremely creative mind which initially blew me away on the track Beatin in from Hitch Hikin Music.
With Self Explanatory Class just continues to explore his creativity.
The aforementioned Oh Canada is one of the best hip hop songs about being Canadian I have ever heard. It makes me proud to be Canadian and laugh at the same time all over a beat that samples the anthem perfectly.
All of the “Chose Your Own Adventure” songs pay homage to my favorite type of books as a child, and while I don’t recommend following it’s instructions until after you have listened to the album in it’s entirety go back and play with these songs later, it’s worth it.
As a testament to his skills other hard working hip hop rhymers such as Choclair, Maestro, Saukrates, and Royce Da 5′9 have contributed to making this album one that Canadian artists are going to have to step up their game to compete with.
At 21 tracks this album is a solid all the way through and has a lot of replay value. If you need anymore reason to go check it out here is some inspiration.
Stand Out Tracks:
Oh Canada
Inspiration
They call this hip hop
Up All Night
Still Got it
Trouble (single)
Anybody Listening (single)
