Lee, with additional contributions from Scarface and Devin himself. Musically, the album’s sound was uniquely Devin: crafted mostly by Domo and Rap-A-Lot’s regular producers N.O.
His zany, self-deprecating, smoked-out and sexually explicit stories earned him the label of "Hip-Hop’s Richard Pryor." The label is understandable - like Pryor, his vivid storytelling is witty but its rooted in keen observations about people and life. The result was arguably one of the best, if not under-appreciated, debuts in Hip-Hop. Throughout The Dude it was obvious Devin was better than ever able to key in on the aspects of his talent that make him great - his agile songwriting and vivid storytelling. Devin also threw assists on several notable rap classics including crooning the hook on Scarface and Ice Cube’s “Hand of the Dead Body” in 1994, and singing the chorus and dropping a memorable, wildly detailed verse on “Fuck Faces” from Scarface’s compilation album, My Homies.īy the time 1998 rolled around, fans were eager for his Rap-A-Lot solo debut, The Dude. He joined Scarface’s newly formed group, Facemob, and they dropped their debut, The Other Side of the Lawin 1996, immediately marking himself as the notable talent in the group, alongside Face.
Although their debut didn’t receive the promotion it deserved, the album served as an early foundation for southern avant-garde rap, as illustrated by singles like “Coughee.”Īfter Odd Squad’s debut dropped, however, one thing was certain - Devin’s distinctive voice and approach to vocals made him a favorite for features, and between 19 he stayed busy. Odd Squad pushed the label in a fresh direction, causing it to deviate from the wisdom-laced street sound it was known for with their innovative lyrics and song production. Starting out as a member of The Odd Squad (now known as The Coughee Brothaz) alongside producer Rob Quest, and Jugg Mugg, the experimental group’s 1994 debut album Fadanuf Fa Everybody!! dropped on Rap-A-Lot Records. The Houston bred rapper/crooner’s sound is all his own, instantly recognizable and nearly impossible to emulate. One of the most creative artists in Hip Hop, there isn’t anybody like Devin The Dude. His music has soulful energy, and his unfiltered, witty perception makes him relatable. Listen to any of Devin The Dude’s albums, and his soul influences are obvious.
“I don’t really listen to a lot of new music,” he admits with a shrug and a laugh. It isn’t Hip-Hop, but classic soul that pours through the speakers. He’s offered to give a sample of what he listens to when he needs inspiration.
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