Haven’t written a review in a while… this one was originally written for Passionweiss.
Devin The Dude
is the kind of rapper you want to hang out with. He’s a chilled out guy who usually
rhymes about what he loves most: beautiful girls and the finest kush. The Dude
never reached the same mainstream status as other O.G rappers during his 20+
year career, but he seems to like it that way. His introspective and sometimes
self-deprecating lyrics coupled with his sheepish grin make him a likable rap
everyman. Just like fellow THC enthusiast Curren$y, Devin Copeland’s seems like
the kind of person who would buy you a beer instead of denying you an
autograph.
Scarface has previously said that an artist should keep remaking the same album and carve a lane for themselves rather than trying to do something new. Despite that not always being true, Devin definitely followed this formula and his 8th album, One For The Road is exactly what a long-time listener should expect. The 43-year-old doesn’t stray too far from his niche laid-back vibe, yet he still knows what works. This is smoke and ride music.
Scarface has previously said that an artist should keep remaking the same album and carve a lane for themselves rather than trying to do something new. Despite that not always being true, Devin definitely followed this formula and his 8th album, One For The Road is exactly what a long-time listener should expect. The 43-year-old doesn’t stray too far from his niche laid-back vibe, yet he still knows what works. This is smoke and ride music.
Opening track
“Getting Blowed” sets the scene with the extremely relaxed Houston native
rhyming over a breezy saxophone about how he never goes out, but you’ll
probably catch him in the supermarket with the munchies. The Dude is at his
best when he’s showing some humor or conveying his humane side.
Six tracks on
the album have a motivational theme which eventually wears a bit thin and
“Reach For It” is a little preachy with a generic “hustle hard” message that
dime-a-dozen rappers have been drilling down our earholes since the beginning
of time. In contrast, Devin’s take on giving money to the homeless on “Fresh
Air” works well because you can empathize and there’s no sign of the forced
sincerity that plagues young rappers like J.Cole.
“I hope we
don’t get too drunk,” features Devin alongside his Odd Squad group mates Jugg
Mugg and Rob Quest, who you should know for their excellent and largely ignored
debut, Fadanuf Fa Erybody!! The trio bounce off each other and it’s a fun
listen with old school production. Compulsory weed track “Herb The Nation” also
follows this retro vibe with Copeland clearly paying tribute to some of his
influences.
If you were in
high school when Chronic 2001 came out, your first experience with Devin The
Dude was probably on the classic “F**k You” alongside Dr Dre before headphones
and Snoop before trips to Jamaica. Unfortunately there’s nothing as tongue in
cheek on here, instead the Houston vet delivers the break-up track “Probably
Should Have” and the overtly sexual “Hear The Sound.” Both tracks are decent in
their own right, but not quite as special as their sleazy predecessor. There’s
a snippet during the album’s third skit for a track simply titled “F**k You
Down” which has potential and the “comical” announcer says is coming out soon,
so let’s hope he’s being serious.
While this
project isn’t particularly innovative, it’s not trying too hard either. Devin
wrote and produced most of the tracks and many of them have The Dude’s
listenable charm. His topics are humble and attitude is too. It’s a rare thing
to treasure in the age of self-proclaimed musical geniuses, leather pants and
artists who fight their own fans.