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Classified
Boy-Cott-In The Industry
Urbnet Records / Half Life
Ranking 4.5/5

The March 8th release of Classified's 11th album, Boy-Cott-In The Industry, demonstrates that his ten years of trial and error have paid off in full.

This Halifax based rapper/producer has been making big moves within the Canadian music industry for the last five years. The climax of which is the release of his seventh music video on MuchMusic for 'Fifth Element.'

Armed with so much experience, resources and knowledge it's amazing the biggest name in Atlantic Canadian hip-hop - Classified - is still forced to go the independent route. Fortunately he's assisted by Urbnet Records, one of the biggest independent hip-hop labels in Canada, which lands Boy-Cott-In The Industry in stores nationally. www.urbnetrecords.com

He's definitely paid his dues having done production for the likes of Maestro; shared the stage with Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, 112, Saukrates, Rascalz, Swollen Members & more; and collaborated with big names like Royce Da 5'9, Choclair, Maestro, DL Incognito, D-Sisive, Eternia, Divo, Dan-E-O & Jorun.

This is Classified's best release to date, and as a reviewer I have very few complaints. The only one being that at times the undertone of bitterness about haters, bad emcees and the media can be a bit too much.

Classified takes it to the next level by getting more personal on Boy-Cott-In The Industry. 'What's Real' shows his compassionate side as he dedicates a song to his girl who has stuck by him for five years. He goes back and forth with his emcee brother Mic Boyd taking jabs at each other and demonstrating typical 'Sibling Rivalry.'

'High School Behaviour' is my favorite as dirty funk beat combines nicely with lyrical truths about high school. "But as the world turns and we realize / that high school has no effect on real lives / All the preps, skins, thugs and skaters / chess clubs and jocks is high school behaviour."

'It's Just My Opinion' has the makings of an anthem of a hip-hop nation. 'Problemz' features verses that got stuck in my head from prominent Halifax rappers Jay Bizzy, J-Bru, Spesh K and Mic Boyd.

Legendary DJ/producer, Jorun, dusts off some old accappelas on the upbeat feel good '5th Element.' On 'Still Hip-Hop Interlude' Classified shows he can still have fun as he spoofs Billy Joel's 'It's Still Rock & Roll To Me' with an all hip-hop feel.

Proclaimed as Halifax's leading rap voice, Classified continues to mark his territory in the Canadian rap scene. He has honed his production skills making for some amazing beats, while smoothing out his lyricism so you never lose a word.

Boy-Cott-In The Industry finds this producer/emcee at the pinnacle of his career. Classified may be a boy caught in the industry, but Canada's best kept secret has been unleashed.

Click here to buy the album at urbnetrecords.com

Troy Neilson
This review was written March 19, 2005
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