Classified’s first major-label album certainly looks the part. The
beautiful cover artwork by Justin Broadbent features a torn poster
motif with the Enfield rapper staring defiantly outward. It’s a
striking image that promises big things. And for the most part, Self
Explanatory delivers. The album features a narrative thread
modelled after the Choose Your Own Adventure books; on certain
numbered tracks titled “CYOA,” the listener has a chance to maneuver
Classified and pals through an average day. The gimmick works well the
first few times (“CYOA2” depicts what might possibly be the most
awesome stoned bike ride ever), but eventually you’ll just get lazy and
listen straight through. Luckily, the non-CYOA tracks hold up equally
well. Classified continues to be an almost ridiculously likeable
presence, shifting from fierce to self-deprecating to goofy on a dime.
He brings surprising emotional heft to songs like “Inspiration,”
intoned over the beats of a fan who died in a car accident. The album
also boasts the usual failsafe roster of guest artists—everyone from
J Bru to Joel Plaskett to Royce Da 5’9″ and Moka Only—and beats so
clean they nearly sparkle. This is one album that doesn’t need any
stylistic quirks or fancy art to pass muster—it does the job on its
own.
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This article appears in Apr 9-15, 2009.