Classified Cut Gets Juno Nod, Makes Unexpected Cameo in UFC

Nova Scotia rapper Classified is used to hearing his own songs when he's out on tour every night. When he's at home on the couch watching mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting, however, it's a bit more of a surprise.

And so Classified (real name Luke Boyd) got a jolt when he heard UFC competitor Patrick Côté had used 'Oh... Canada,' a single from his 2009 major label debut album, 'Self Explanatory' -- a track which also happens to be up for a Juno later this week -- as intro music at UFC 113.

"I watch UFC," the MC, whose new album, 'Handshakes and Middlefingers' drops today, tells Spinner. "All of a sudden I heard 'Oh... Canada,' and it was like I had a little out of body experience. I was like, 'Where is that song coming from? Then I realized it was like the intro, I was like, 'Holy f---!' I had no idea."

"As soon as it happened," he adds, "my phone started blowing up left and right with friends saying, 'Did you see this?'"

Even after more than a dozen albums-Handshakes is his 13th-and two Juno nominations, including a nod this year for "Oh Canada," Classified doesn't seem jaded in the least. He describes the fact that "Oh Canada" is up for Single of the Year at this year's Junos in Toronto, facing off against such heavy hitters as Drake and kd lang, as "kind of unbelievable.

"I've got some stiff competition," he says somewhat incredulously, "but it's good company to be in!"

Class clearly relishes every new development, whether it's getting his red carpet moment or savouring his still-fresh major deal.

"The team that works on me is great, I talk to the publicist as well as the A&R who signed me, you know, we're planning to play hockey together on Wednesday morning. I think I'm in a pretty good situation. A lot of other artists wish they could be in a similar one. I'm very grateful."

Watch Classified's Video for 'Oh... Canada'
One thing he enjoys less is having to pay sample clearance fees. When Classified discovered that just getting Phil Collins' people to consider letting you sample him costs $40,000, he went with plan B and had a British firm re-record the clip in question for 'Anybody Listening,' a track off 'Self Explanatory.' Now he's a lot more careful.

"With this album I was more cautious. I said, I'm not gonna go sample a Phil Collins or a Michael Jackson or a Beatles record, something that was very noticeable. But you can cut up and find more discreet samples and dig a little bit harder in the crates. You can still use them in creative ways."

While he gets to work promoting the album and first single, 'Classy,' Classified is hoping to link up with UFC for their upcoming Ontario debut April 30 at the Rogers Center; either way, you know he'll be watching. Who are his favourites, you ask?

"I was a huge fan of Lyoto Machida but his last few fights haven't really done it for me. I was a huge wrestling fan, too, so when Brock Lesnar came over I was all like, 'Aww, now a wrestler's gonna do it!' All UFC fans hate Brock Lesnar but I f---in' love him, he's entertaining as s---. By far, he's not the best fighter in it but it's the entertainment value I get it.

"And Georges St-Pierre, you can't mess with Georges St-Pierre. But that's the obvious answer."