Classified Finally Ready For Breakout

Although Halifax MC/producer Classified's long-awaited new full-length album is finally completed, fans won't get to hear Self Explanatory until it officially drops on April 7.

The album is a lengthy 22 tracks of his most playful rhyming and tightest self-production, all without compromising the raw Classified grit longtime fans have come to love. Several of Canada's hip-hop elite make guest appearances on Self Explanatory, and includes overdue collaborations with Saukrates, Moka Only and Buck 65.

"Not too many people buy albums anymore," says Classified, a.k.a. Luke Boyd. "You have to give them a reason to buy it, or otherwise why not just download a couple tracks you like? I figure, fill the whole 74 minutes and give them their money's worth.

"I actually cut two songs off of the album. I was like, 'Man, we need longer CDs. I want to pack it all on.' It kind of upset me that I had to cut it off, but I'm happy with it. I'm happy that it's finally here and everything's coming to place."

Classified, who's now with Sony, is anxious to get the finished product — his major label debut — to the people. It's an album that will have longtime fans nodding and hitting the rewind button, and it also breathes fresh air into the old school roots Classified has become famous for.

"It's no different. I have all my creativity. I get to do it the exact same way I do, but now when I bring it to someone, it's not just bringing it to one guy in his house trying to push it. I bring it to a team of people who are just putting it together and putting it out and getting my music out to more people."

With major distribution now possible, Self Explanatory may very well put Classified on a worldwide scale while he carries Canada on his back. Right now, he's concentrating on touring Europe for the first time in his career with Detroit's D12 and Royce Da 5'9.

"I'm thinking I'm going to go over there and it's going to be like Canada 10 years ago — I'm starting all over and nobody's going to know my music," he says with a laugh.

"But it's kind of refreshing, too. I can go over there, put a whole new show together and kind of give them my best shit that I want to put out there right now."

When Classified returns, fans can expect a three-week Canadian tour with D12 and Royce during the launch of Self Explanatory.

Classified will play these shows:

March 23 Vienna, Switzerland @ The Flex w/D12
March 24 Zurich, Switzerland @ Rohstofflager w/D12
March 26 Cologne, Germany @ Luxor w/D12
March 27 Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Club w/D12
March 28 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Pumpehuset w/D12
March 29 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg w/D12
March 31 Manchester, UK @ O2 Academy Manchester w/D12
April 1 Glasgow, Scotland @ ABC w/D12
April 2 Dublin, Ireland @ Tripod w/D12
April 3 London, UK @ Electric Ballroom w/D12
April 23 Vancouver, BC @ Boss Night Club
April 24 Whistler, BC @ Garfinkels
April 25 Kamloops, BC @ Cactus Jack Saloon
April 27 Victoria, BC @ Element (matinee, all ages show)
April 27 Victoria, BC @ Element (evening show)
April 29 Medicine Hat, AB @ KC Jax Ultra Lounge
April 30 Calgary, AB @ The Whiskey
May 1 Lethbridge, AB @ Blarney Stone
May 2 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
May 5 Banff, AB @ Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon
May 6 Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon Event Centre
May 7 Regina, SK @ Distrikt
May 8 Winnipeg, MB @ The Pyramid Cabaret
May 9 Thunder Bay, ON @ C2
May 11 Cobalt, ON @ Cobalt Classic Theatre
May 13 Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Club
May 14 London, ON @ London Music Hall
May 15 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre (all ages)
May 16 Whitby, ON @ Johnny B's
May 19 Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House
May 20 Milton, ON @ Hardball
May 21 Hamilton, ON @ Club Absinthe
May 22 Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Night Club
May 23 Montreal, QC @ Les Saints
May 29 St. John, NB @ Ozone
May 30 Fredericton, NB @ Capital Exhibition (all ages)
June 5 Halifax, NS @ The Palace