Handshakes and Middle Fingers — album by Classified

Musical style and production

The album mixes traditional hip hop beats with melodic choruses and occasional live instrumentation. Classified is known for producing much of his own material; the album's production credits reflect a hands-on approach to crafting beats and arranging tracks. Lyrically, the songs balance bravado and self-reflection, moving between club-ready singles and more introspective cuts.

Release and singles

Handshakes and Middle Fingers spawned several singles that received radio play and chart recognition. Notable singles include:

• "That Ain't Classy" — one of the album's more prominent singles, it reached #45 on the Canadian Hot 100 (chart reference).
• "The Day Doesn't Die" — a mid-tempo single that peaked at #83 on the Canadian Hot 100.
• "Maybe It's Just Me" — released as a single and used to showcase the album's more personal side.

Upon release the album reached #7 on the Canadian Albums Chart (chart listing) and attained a high position on digital platforms, hitting #2 on an iTunes top seller list in Canada (iTunes listing).

Reception and significance

Critics and listeners noted the record for its accessible hooks and consistent production quality. While some reviews highlighted a tension between mainstream aspirations and underground credibility, the album helped broaden Classified's audience and reinforced his reputation as both a rapper and a producer. Tracks from the record continued to appear in radio rotation and on streaming playlists following the release.

Legacy and notable facts

Handshakes and Middle Fingers represents a moment when Canadian hip hop artists increasingly found commercial success domestically. The album's chart performance demonstrated that an independent-minded hip hop artist could achieve significant national visibility. For listeners exploring Classified's catalog, this album often serves as an entry point to his mid-career work and stylistic range.