Devin the Dude

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Devin the Dude
Devin the Dude performing in Vancouver in 2006
Devin the Dude performing in Vancouver in 2006
Background information
Origin Houston, Texas
Genre(s) Houston hip hop
Years active 1992-present
Label(s) Rap-A-Lot Records
Associated acts Odd Squad
Scarface
Too Short
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg
Website www.devinthedude.com

Devin the Dude (born Devin Copeland) is a Houston hip hop rapper, known for his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records. The New York Times called him "A brilliant oddball with a spaced-out flow."[1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Born in St. Petersburg, FL, and later moved to Texas while in the fourth grade. As a child he went back and forth from New Boston and Houston and finally settled in the latter after he graduated high school. In the late '80s, Devin met Rob Quest, a blind rapper and producer who was part of a Houston crew called the Coughee Brothas. Later on, the duo formed a group named the Odd Squad and recruited Devin's long-time friend Jugg Mugg and a local DJ named DJ Screw. While not having been able to achieve mainstream success, Devin has developed a following in underground hip hop due to his relaxed and often comedic approach to lyrics and rhyming.

Copeland started out as a member of Odd Squad, a group of rappers signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, home of fellow rappers Geto Boys, Scarface, Too Much Trouble, etc. Odd Squad released their first album Fadanuf Fa Erybody!! in 1994. A follow-up has been rumored, but no official release date has been set.[citation needed]

Between 1994 and 1996, Devin made various guest appearances, most notably on "Hand of the Dead Body" (from Scarface's The Diary), where he sang the hook. In 1995, he was recruited as part of Scarface's supergroup Facemob, which released The Other Side of the Law in 1996 and the almost secret Silence in 2002, though the latter was created without Scarface and Devin.

The world got a first glimpse of Devin as a solo artist on Scarface's 1998 double album My Homies, which featured early versions of "Boo Boo'n" and "Show 'Em", and "Fuck Faces". Later that year, Devin emerged as a fully-fledged solo artist with the release of his album, The Dude.

Despite being very well received, he did not achieve mainstream success. Continuing to be relatively well-known among the underground hip-hop community during the mid-to-late 2000s (often being called "Rap's best kept secret" or "Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.")[2] Devin got the chance of a lifetime when Dr. Dre called him, asking him to be part of the eagerly awaited 2001 album. He made heads turn when he sang the hook and rapped one verse of "Fuck You" from Dr. Dre's 2001 album alongside Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Devin was signed on as part of the famous Up In Smoke Tour, which headlined Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Xzibit, Ice Cube and many more.

Since then, Devin has released three albums, Just Tryin' Ta Live (2002), To Tha X-Treme (2004) and Waitin' To Inhale (2007). Devin has worked with numerous artists in the hip-hop industry, ranging from Scarface, Ice Cube, Andre 3000, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, UGK, Lil Wayne, Xzibit, Too Short, 8Ball, The Roots, Lil Jon, De La Soul, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Chamillionaire and Nas.

As of 2007, Devin the Dude is performing and touring as part of the group The Coughee Brothaz, with the new album titled "Waitin Our Turn" in stores.

Recently, Devin has ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records, who consequently decided not to renew his contract. Though the split was amicable, the future of his next release is uncertain as Devin has expressed a desire to create new music but is without a label home.[3]

In 2008 Devin “The Dude” is set to release his next project through BCD Music Group Inc. Devin’s new project titled Smoke Sessions V. 1 will be the first installment of the series Smoke Sessions this will feature Devin “The Dude” and the Coughee Brothaz and will be distributed through BCD Music Group Inc. The album is released, and is available in stores and itunes.

Devin is currently working on a solo album, an Odd Squad album with Jugg, and Rob. Devin is also working on a new Coughee Brothaz. we will have more about release dates soon.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Album information
The Dude
  • Released: June 16, 1998
  • Certification: 50,000 copies sold
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #177
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #27
  • Singles: "Georgy"
Just Tryin' Ta Live
  • Released: January 29, 2002
  • Certification: 112,000 copies sold
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #61
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #11
  • Singles: "Lacville '79"
To Tha X-Treme
  • Released: July 13, 2004
  • Certification: 150,000 copies sold
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #55
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #6
  • Singles:
Waitin' To Inhale
  • Released: March 13, 2007
  • Certification: 188,000 copies sold
  • Billboard 200 chart position: #30
  • R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #9
  • Singles: "Little Girl Gone", "What a Job"
Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1
  • Released: April 1, 2008
  • Certification: -
  • Billboard 200: -
  • R&B/Hip-Hop:-
  • Singles:-
Greatest Hits
  • Released: May 13, 2008
  • Certification: -
  • Billboard 200: -
  • R&B/Hip-Hop:-
  • Singles:-

[edit] Collaboration albums

[edit] Guest appearances

[edit] References

  1. ^ The New York Times > Arts > Music > A Visitor's Guide to the Houston Sound
  2. ^ Devin the Dude: Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper Published January 1, 2000 http://www.prefixmag.com/features/devin-the-dude/your-favorite-rappers-favorite-rapper/12400
  3. ^ Devin The Dude Leaves Rap-A-Lot Published Tuesday, February 05, 2008 5:35 AM http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/02/05/19242606.aspx

www.bcdmusicgroup.com

[edit] External links