Devin the Dude
Encyclopedia
Devin Copeland 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".
on June 4, 1970, and moved to Texas
while in the fourth grade. 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. As a teenager, Copeland became interested in breakdancing, joining several dance crews until he began rapping, which soon became his main interest. After graduating from high school, he met Rob Quest, a blind
rapper and record producer, and the duo formed the group the Odd Squad
.
. 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. 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, and on Tech N9ne
's "After Party" 2010 off of The Gates Mixed Plate.
In 2008, he ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records
after he decided not to renew his contract. Later that year, he signed with indie label Razor & Tie
. Devin is currently being distributed by E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
, Devin the Dude, is a Houston hip hop artist, and rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. He is best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success...
, and his 2002 song, "Lacville '79".
Early life
Devin Copeland was born in St. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
on June 4, 1970, and moved to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
while in the fourth grade. He spent his childhood moving back and forth from New Boston
New Boston, Texas
New Boston is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It was named after an early store keeper, W.J. Boston. It is part of the Texarkana, Texas - Texarkana, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and Houston, finally settling in Houston after graduating from high school. He smoked marijuana for the first time at a skating rink
Roller rink
A roller rink is a hard surface used for roller skating or inline skating. This includes roller hockey, speed skating, and recreational skating...
in seventh grade, which would later become a major influence on his music. As a teenager, Copeland became interested in breakdancing, joining several dance crews until he began rapping, which soon became his main interest. After graduating from high school, he met Rob Quest, a blind
Blindness
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
rapper and record producer, and the duo formed the group the Odd Squad
Odd Squad
The Odd Squad was a Southern hip-hop group consisting of Devin the Dude, Jugg Mugg, and Rob Quest. The first album, Fadanuf Fa Erybody!! was released in 1994 on Rap-A-Lot Records. The album was considered by Scarface to be the label's finest release. Having been out of print for many years,...
.
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 RecordsRap-A-Lot Records
Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success...
. The label is notable for being the home of hip-hop artists such as Geto Boys
Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
, Scarface
Scarface (rapper)
Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
, and Too Much Trouble
Too Much Trouble
Too Much Trouble is a defunct Rap group from Houston, Texas. The group produced three albums before disbanding in 1997.-Appearance:...
. Copeland moved on to become part of Scarface's Facemob
Facemob
Facemob was an American hip hop group put together by rapper Scarface. The group consisted of 350, DMG, Devin the Dude, Chi-Ray and Smit-D, with Scarface, producing and writing songs for the group's debut album....
before going solo in 1998. Copeland has released seven solo albums: The Dude (1998
1998 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
), Just Tryin' ta Live
Just Tryin' ta Live
Just Tryin' ta Live is the second album from rapper Devin the Dude. It was a minor critical success, but did not fare well commercially. It peaked at #61 on the Billboard 200 chart, but had no charting singles. It features high-profile guest appearances from Nas and Xzibit as well as production...
(2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
), To tha X-Treme
To tha X-Treme
To tha X-Treme is the third solo album from rapper Devin the Dude. The album peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200. It features a high-profile guest appearance from 8Ball.-Track listing:-Charts:...
(2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
), Waitin' to Inhale
Waitin' to Inhale
Waitin' to Inhale is the fourth solo album by Rap-A-Lot Records artist, Devin the Dude. The album peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200, making this his highest charting album to date. It features high-profile guest appearances from André 3000, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Bun B. As of December 2007,...
(2007
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
), Landing Gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
(2008
2008 in music
2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such...
), Suite 420
Suite 420
-Track listing:Sample credits*"I Can't Handle It" - Contains a sample of Let Me Down Easy by The Isley Brothers...
(2010
2010 in music
2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music...
), and Gotta Be Me
Gotta Be Me
Gotta Be Me is the 7th studio album by rapper Devin The Dude, released on November 2, 2010. The first single Jus Coolin had been released on September the 27th.-Track listing:...
(2010). He also made a number of guest appearances, including on Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's "Fuck You" in 1999, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
's "Baby Phat" in 2001, and on Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
's "After Party" 2010 off of The Gates Mixed Plate.
In 2008, he ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success...
after he decided not to renew his contract. Later that year, he signed with indie label Razor & Tie
Razor & Tie
Razor & Tie is a New York-based corporation founded in 1990 by Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam. The company encompasses a record label with major label distribution , a home video company, a media buying company, a music publishing business, a marketing, promotion and sales team, and a direct...
. Devin is currently being distributed by E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch.
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." In addition, he has been called "Rap's best-kept secret" and "Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper." 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.Solo
The Dude
|
| Just Tryin' ta Live Just Tryin' ta Live Just Tryin' ta Live is the second album from rapper Devin the Dude. It was a minor critical success, but did not fare well commercially. It peaked at #61 on the Billboard 200 chart, but had no charting singles. It features high-profile guest appearances from Nas and Xzibit as well as production...
|
| To tha X-Treme To tha X-Treme To tha X-Treme is the third solo album from rapper Devin the Dude. The album peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200. It features a high-profile guest appearance from 8Ball.-Track listing:-Charts:...
|
| Waitin' to Inhale Waitin' to Inhale Waitin' to Inhale is the fourth solo album by Rap-A-Lot Records artist, Devin the Dude. The album peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200, making this his highest charting album to date. It features high-profile guest appearances from André 3000, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Bun B. As of December 2007,...
|
| Landing Gear Landing Gear Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
|
| Suite 420 Suite 420 -Track listing:Sample credits*"I Can't Handle It" - Contains a sample of Let Me Down Easy by The Isley Brothers...
|
| Gotta Be Me Gotta Be Me Gotta Be Me is the 7th studio album by rapper Devin The Dude, released on November 2, 2010. The first single Jus Coolin had been released on September the 27th.-Track listing:...
|
Compilations
Waitin' Our Turn
|
Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1
|
Greatest Hits
|
Hi Life
|
External links
- MP3 audio interview with Devin the Dude on the radio program The Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young America is a public radio program and podcast based in Los Angeles, California and distributed by Public Radio International...
- Devin the Dude Interview
- The DJBooth: Interview with Devin The Dude (Apr '07)