Devin the Dude
| Devin the Dude | |
|---|---|
 Devin the Dude performing in Pearland, TX in 2010 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Devin Copeland |
| Born | June 4, 1970 St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Origin | Houston, Texas |
| Genres | Hip hop, Southern hip hop |
| Years active | 1992-present |
| Labels | Rap-a-Lot Records Razor & Tie |
| Associated acts | Odd Squad, Coughee Brothaz, Facemob, Scarface, Dr. Dre, UGK, Snoop Dogg, Young Jeezy, Curren$y, Smoke DZA |
| Website | www.myspace.com/devinthedude |
Devin Copeland (born June 4, 1970), better known by his stage name, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79".
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[edit] Early life
Devin Copeland was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on June 4, 1970, and moved to Texas while in the fourth grade.[1] He spent his childhood moving back and forth from New Boston and Houston, finally settling in Houston after graduating from high school. He smoked marijuana for the first time at a skating rink in seventh grade, which would later become a major influence on his music.[2] As a teenager, Copeland became interested in breakdancing, joining several dance crews until he began rapping, which soon became his main interest.[2] After graduating from high school, he met Rob Quest, a blind rapper and record producer, and the duo formed the group the Odd Squad.[1]
[edit] Musical career
Devin Copeland started out as a member of the Odd Squad (later known as the Coughee Brothaz), a group of rappers signed to Rap-A-Lot Records. The label is notable for being the home of hip-hop artists such as Geto Boys, Scarface, and Too Much Trouble. Copeland moved on to become part of Scarface's Facemob before going solo in 1998.[3] Copeland has released seven solo albums: The Dude (1998), Just Tryin' ta Live (2002), To tha X-Treme (2004), Waitin' to Inhale (2007), Landing Gear (2008), Suite 420 (2010), and Gotta Be Me (2010). He also made a number of guest appearances, including on Dr. Dre's "Fuck You" in 1999, De La Soul's "Baby Phat" in 2001, Tech N9ne's "After Party" 2010 off of The Gates Mixed Plate.,[3] and Young Jeezy's "Higher Learning" off of the late 2011 album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition.
In 2008, he ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records after he decided not to renew his contract.[4] Later that year, he signed with indie label Razor & Tie.[5] Devin is currently being distributed by E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch.
[edit] Reception
Despite being a critical success, Devin the Dude has not achieved success in the mainstream but continues to be a well-known underground hip-hop artist. The New York Times has called him "A brilliant oddball with a spaced-out flow."[6] In addition, he has been called "Rap's best-kept secret" and "Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper."[7] In 2007, he appeared in a documentary titled Screwed In Houston produced by VBS/Vice Magazine that details the history of the Houston rap scene.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo
| The Dude |
| Just Tryin' ta Live |
| To tha X-Treme |
| Waitin' to Inhale |
| Landing Gear |
| Suite 420 |
Gotta Be Me
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[edit] Compilations
Waitin' Our Turn
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Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1
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Greatest Hits
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Hi Life
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[edit] References
- ^ a b Salazar-Moreno, Quibian. "Devin the Dude Biography". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/artist/devin-the-dude-p545921/biography. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ a b "Devin the Dude Interview". Dubcnn.com. February 2007. http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/devinthedude07/. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ a b Shapiro, Peter (2005) The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop, Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-263-8, p.86-87
- ^ Richburg, Chris (2008) "Devin The Dude Leaves Rap-A-Lot", Allhiphop.com, 5 February 2008
- ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008) "Devin The Dude Inks with Razor and Tie", Billboard, 15 July 2008
- ^ Sanneh, Kalefa (2005) "A Visitor's Guide to the Houston Sound", New York Times, 17 April 2005
- ^ Martinez, Rafael (2000) "Devin the Dude: Your Favorite Rapper's Favourite Rapper", Prefix, 1 January 2000
- ^ a b "Devin the Dude - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/devin-the-dude/302520. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Just Tryin' ta Live - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/just-tryin-ta-live/515323. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "To Tha X-Treme - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/to-tha-x-treme/634475. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Waiting to Inhale - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/waiting-to-inhale/899167. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Landing Gear - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/landing-gear/1177114. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Suite 420 - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/album/devin-the-dude/suite-420/1316656. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ^ "Waitin Our Turn - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude-coughee-brothaz/waitin-our-turn/1057924. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ "Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1 - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/smoke-sessions-vol-1/1110771. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ "Best of Devin the Dude - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/the-best-of-devin-the-dude/1137325. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ "Hi Life - Devin the Dude". Billboard.com. Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/album/devin-the-dude/hi-life/1181794. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
[edit] External links
- MP3 audio interview with Devin the Dude on the radio program The Sound of Young America
- Devin the Dude on Myspace
- Devin the Dude Interview
- The DJBooth: Interview with Devin The Dude (Apr '07)
