Welcome to a new monthly feature in The Hip Hop Museum newsletter. Do you ever wonder what other people thought the first time they heard some of the most iconic voices of the culture? That’s what ‘The First Time I Heard…’ is all about. We will connect with other Rap artists, industry executives, DJs and other voices from the culture and ask them to reminisce about the first time they heard some of the most iconic voices of our culture.

For the first edition, we connected with Classified, one of the most iconic voices in Canadian Hip Hop. Representing Canada’s east coast, Nova Scotia’s Classified has a nearly 30-year career in Rap going back to the mid-1990s. He has worked and performed with some of the biggest names in Hip Hop, including Ludacris, The Game, Nelly, Nas, and many others. His catalogue spans seventeen studio albums and countless charting singles.

Photo credit: Dave Hamilton

One artist with whom Classified has performed and recorded is Snoop Dogg. Snoop appears on Classified’s song “No Pressure” from his 2016 album, Greatful.

We caught up with Classified to talk about the first time he heard Snoop Dogg.

Adam Aziz: What was your reaction the first time you heard Snoop Dogg?

Classified: I remember I was in grade 7, and a friend dubbed me the whole ‘Doggystyle’ album to check out and gave it to me in school. On the first listen, I didn’t like it (which I find happens with all my favorite music). After the second or third listen, I loved it and learned every lyric.

AA: Do you remember the first song you heard?

C: I think the first thing I heard was the intro with Lady of Rage, where Snoop only raps the last four bars.

AA: What about Snoop as an artist and persona do you think made him stand out?

C: Because he sounded like nobody else. He had a smooth flow. He was original. Snoop has lasted so long because he’s always been himself. Whether doing an interview with Dr. Dre or Martha Stewart, he’s the same guy. He recorded a song with me in a makeshift studio in a hotel in Truro, Nova Scotia – same guy. You can’t beat authenticity.

AA: Do you have a favorite Snoop song?

C: It’s tough to pick a favorite. “Tha Shiznit,” “Pump Pump,” “Just Dippin’.” I’m really excited for this new album with Dr. Dre.

Read more interviews on The Hip Hop Museum!