CLASSIFIED at Ricoh Coliseum (100 Princes’) as part of the Juno Cup, Friday (March 25), 7:30 pm. $19.75. TM. And at Sound Academy (11 Polson), Saturday (March 26), 8 pm. $25. PDR, RT, SS, TM. See listing.
Sixteen years into his career, Enfield, Nova Scotia’s Luke “Classified” Boyd now sees things a little differently.
His fiery passion for hip-hop hasn’t dimmed, but his priorities have shifted. Once an artist with a punishing tour schedule, Boyd has lately been devoting time to mentoring new acts and enjoying the company of his family.
“The past few years have given me a lot to write about,” says Boyd on a cellphone somewhere in Nova Scotia. “Having a family and kids grows you.”
He’s also been busy giving Kayo [Guevarra], the first signing to his Half Life record label, a push. “He’s soulful and funky, motivational and inspirational,” says Boyd about the Caribbean-born, Halifax-based musician.
None of this is to say that Boyd’s own career has taken a back seat. This week he releases his 13th album, Handshakes And Middle Fingers, on Half Life/Sony.
“Musically, I’ve been trying to step it up by bringing in live orchestras. I’ve been working with David Christensen, who writes arrangements for Symphony Nova Scotia. He’s given me a whole new avenue where the music can go once I think it’s finished.”
That partnership has resulted in some interesting new sounds. Lead-off single That Ain’t Classy incorporates brooding strings and is reminiscent of El-P’s early work, which Boyd cites as a favourite.
“The album’s heavily influenced by what I grew up on,” he admits. “There’s a lot of 90s hip-hop on there.”
Handshakes And Middle Fingers will hopefully expand on the success of Classified’s acclaimed 2009 album, Self Explanatory, which included Oh… Canada, currently up for a Juno in the single-of-the-year category.
To celebrate, he’s playing in Friday’s Juno Cup, which pits Canadian musicians against NHL greats at Ricoh Coliseum. The proceeds go to MusiCounts, a music education charity.
“The first time I did it was in 2006, when they were just looking for people to play,” says Boyd, who usually plays centre or left wing.
“I ran into Paul Coffey last year and he looked like he wanted to punch me in the face. I’m a bit nervous about this game.”
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