Classified

While You Were Sleeping

3/5

Key Tracks: The Maritimes, Fall From Paradise, Hard to be Hip Hop, All About U

While You Were Sleeping is a compilation of recordings from Classified, spanning the period between 1995-2007. While some of the earlier tracks have an obvious basement studio, amateur sound to them, the 22 songs listed provide an interesting progression and insight into this rare breed of Hip-Hop artist from Canada’s East Coast.

In fact, it’s that distinctive voice that gives the CD its appeal. Classified raps about places and problems that Canadians can relate to. Mainstream rap and hip-hop focus on US cities and issues, familiar to us only because of media exposure, not because it’s our way of life.

The Maritimes is a perfect example of this. With a unique blend of Celtic instrumentation and hip hop lyrics, this track is undoubtedly a one of. The accompanying animation on the DVD drives the point home that the East Coast is far more than the stereotypes too often portrayed. Another video that aptly showcases the average Joe on the street is Find Out, in which ordinary people lip sync. Yes, it’s been done before (i.e. Nickleback’s I Wanna Be a Rock Star), but this video doesn’t stop at just the pretty people, it uses people from all walks of life, and all ages.

Listed on both the CD and DVD is Hard to be Hip Hop, featuring Maestro Fresh Wes. Compared to some of the earlier works by Classified, this collaboration demonstrates a greater degree of speed and fluidity. Included on the DVD but not the CD is All About U, featuring Chad Hatcher. Another poignant look at reality backed by melodic harmonies and acoustic guitar, All About U is in stark contrast to the bling and sex dominating many hip-hop videos.

The CD and DVD are both worth listening to/watching. Of the 22 tracks on the CD, I thought there was a little too much sampling and would prefer to see Classified stick with his own original and unique approach to this genre of music, because it is there that he excels.

+ Arlie MacGregor
February 10, 2008