Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

When it comes to consistently producing critically acclaimed rap albums, Rap-A-Lot recording artist Devin the Dude is certainly in a class by himself. Defying the stereotypic criticism that Southern hip hop lacks musicality, wit and just plain old lyrical skill, Devin the Dude’s lyrical skills combined with his silky laid back flow continues to win more and more fans with each new record.

His debut LP entitled The Dude is filled with ultra witty lyrics and clever narratives that contain a mixture of mature humor and folkloric street wisdom perched atop a smooth blend of Southern Soul, Texas funk and a heaping helping of blues and hip hop. It has been hailed as one of the best rap albums to ever come out of the great State of Texas.

Devin started out as a break dancer with a Houston based dance group. According to Devin the troupe would rap and break at malls and talent shows hoping to earn some spare change. “We called ourselves 3-D,” says the Dude. “We used to rhyme and break on stage. It was almost like a UTFO type thing. We used to get extra change like that. We’d go in front of the mall and three or four break-dancing/popping groups would go at it right there. I used to get down!”

After completing high school, Devin and a childhood friend named Jug Mug met Rob Quest at a talent show audition and the two formed call Odd Squad and eventually release their debut LP Faddenufffaevebody on Rap-A-Lot records. Although the album didn’t do the numbers at the record stores it won the group legions of loyal fans. The record won Devin his first taste of critical acclaim and some very important fans. Among them, Scarface and Dr. Dre both tapped Devin for features on their albums.

He first showed up on Faces platinum-selling LP Untouchable singing the hook on “Mary Jane” and he rapped a poignant verse on the platinum-selling My Homies LP. The song was called “Fuck Faces,” and he held his own along side Scarface, Tela and Too $hort. Face later placed him the Southern super group Face Mob, where he continued to shine on verse after verse, hook after hook. But the pivotal moment came when Dr. Dre invited him to rhyme on “Fuck You,” one of the few solo performances on his quadruple platinum LP Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001 and De La Soul’s ode to thick girls with the beautiful curves “Baby Phat.” All of this laid a solid foundation for Devin’s sophomore album entitled “Just Trying to Live,” which is sold more than 300,000 copies independently.

With his third album “To the Extreme,” Devin is set to take his career to a whole new level. “This is an album is about pushing to the extreme in order to achieve your goal,” says Devin. “I have been in this game for a long time and who would have ever thought that I would take my career to the level that’s its on now. But the only way I was able to do that was through the encouragement of my family, friends and fans who kept at me to stay in the game. Everyday there’s going to be something that comes your way the puts a monkey wrench in your career and what you’re trying accomplish. But looking forward to tomorrow will enable you to keep on pushing.”

Produced by Oonoe Blas, Mike Dee, Mike Dean, Domo, Big Tyme, and Rob Quest, Tone Kapone, Cory Mo, Dave Cohn, and Mr. Mixx of the 2 Live Crew the Dude himself, To the Extreme delivers an extra potent dose funky excellence that the Dude has been known for through out his career. Staying true to his laid back style Devin drops stellar jams like the slamming lead single “Anything.” Produced by Cory Mo, “Anything” has a slow winding track that inspired by the Isley Brothers classic “Voyage to Alantis” provides the perfect sound bed for Devin’s bluesy inspirational lyrics. “Too Cute” is a jovial song about an ordinary dude pursuing an extraordinary beautiful woman. “Unity” is a song where Devin implores the hip hop nation for the need to set aside their difference in favor of peace and harmony. While Devin continues to give his fans the clever humorous wit that has made him the favorite of rap fans the world over, it is thoughtful introspective songs like “Unity” and “Anything” that marks a turning point for the Dude.

“This album is almost like a cross between the last two albums,” says Devin. “Or maybe the last two were more of a gateway to this album here. It’s a little more laid back than the other two records. It’s a more mature album. This is an album that you gotta sit back and listen to enjoy. But I promise you that once you start listening to it you’ll love it