1995–2004: Early beginnings, Trial & Error and URBNET Records
Luke Boyd, mostly know by his stage name Classified, is a Canadian recording artist and producer who grew up in Enfield, Nova Scotia. He was born in December 13, 1977. Classified attended Hants East Rural High School in Milford Station, Nova Scotia. He started his own production label, Half Life Records, and released his first full-length LP called Time’s Up, Kid, in 1995 after signing with Shitt Records at the age of 19. He went on to release two more albums with Shitt Records before leaving to create his own independent record label Halflife Records.
After years of working on music, specifically eight studio albums, and sorting through label contracts, Classified released the album, Trial & Error which was one of the highest selling independent rap albums in Canada in 2004. Actually, 2003 and 2004 were busy years for Classified. It was the year he signed a nationwide distribution deal with Toronto-based, URBNET Records and released two additional music videos for the singles “Just the Way It Is” and “Unexpected”.
2005–2007: Boy-Cott-In the Industry and Hitch Hikin’ Music
Classified released five studio albums before he released Boy-Cott In The Industry in 2005 which exposed him to mainstream success within Canada. Classified’s tenth album, Boy-Cott-In the Industry, marked a significant turning point is his career. 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,
N04 No mistakes
Classified shared his deepest thoughts on his 11th studio album Hitch Hikin Music, which is considered to be one of his best albums, and is even considered one of the greatest Canadian rap albums of all time.
2008–2014: Self Explanatory, Handshakes and Middle Fingers, and self titled album
In 2008, Classified signed his first major label deal with Sony Music and released his twelfth studio album-Self Explanatory in 2009, which received highly positive reviews from the critics, debuting on the Canadian Albums Chart at #25 making it Classified’s first album on that chart.
No3 “Anybody Listening”
The hit brought Classified to mainstream success as it peaked at #52 on the Canadian Hot 100. Classified enjoyed more mainstream success in with another hit single, “Oh…Canada” peaking at #14on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified platinum in digital downloads by the Music Canada. In early 2011, “Oh…Canada” received a Juno nomination for “Single of the Year”.
On March 22, 2011, Classified released his thirteenth album, which happened to be his second major studio album-Handshakes and Middle Fingers. The album debuted at #7 on the Canadian Albums Chart. The first single off the album, “That Ain’t Classy” reached #45 on the Canadian Hot 100. “That Ain’t Classy” also featured in the hit EA football game Madden 12. In 2012, Classified signed with Universal Music.
In 2013, Classified released his fourteenth album titled Classified, which debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, earning him his first chart-topping album certified Platinum by Music Canada. The first single off the album, “Inner Ninja” reached #5 on the Canadian Hot 100, earning Classified his first top ten hit and highest charting song.
No1 Inner Ninja”
The song has been certified 5x Platinum in digital downloads by Music Canada.”Inner Ninja” A remix of the song featuring guest vocals from Olly Murs was released on November 10, 2013. In March 2014, he released a new single “Higher” featuring B.o.B.
2015–present: Greatful
On January 15, 2016, Classified released his fifteenth album Greatful. Three singles were released: “Filthy” which features DJ Premier, “No Pressure” which features Snoop Dogg (which reached #65 on the Canadian Hot 100) and “Noah’s Arch” which features Saukrates. The album debuted #6 on the Canadian Albums Chart. He toured across Canada from February to March in support of the album.
Classified co-wrote and produced Ria Mae’s hit song Thoughts On Fire (Bonus track) and raps on the Thoughts on Fire (feat. Classified) version which is on heavy rotation in early 2017 on the CBC Radio 2 network.
On February 9, 2018, Classified filmed a music video for “Powerless” in Nova Scotia, featuring native dancers and musicians and bringing to light the issues surrounding missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Bonus) songs Powerless
He releases song to empower those who feel ‘powerless’. He released a new song on Friday in support of people who feel powerless, with a specific focus on Indigenous people in Canada and women and children who’ve suffered abuse. According to him, “Powerless,” is drawn from the experiences of multiple people who’ve reached out to the Nova Scotia musician.
In summary:
between 2009-2016, Classified released four studio albums:
Self Explanatory (2009)
Handshakes & Middle Fingers (2011)
Classified (2013)
Greatful (2016)
