Devin the Dude

Even though Devin The Dude was signed to Houston label Rap-A-Lot Records throughout the 90s and early aughts, he really didn’t (and still doesn’t) sound like he’s from Houston at all, which may have been what helped him stand the test of time (unlike many of his many chopped-and-screwed HTX counterparts). Born in Michigan before moving to moving to St. Petersburg, Devin Copeland eventually wound up in Houston where he met Rob Quest, a blind rapper and record producer, and the duo formed the group the Odd Squad. The Squad (later known as Coughee Brothaz), signed to Rap-A-Lot records with artists like Scarface and Geto Boys. Copeland moved to Scarface's group Facemob but finally pursued a solo career in 1998 and released the album The Dude, which was so vastly different than the darker, street-life songs that he had contributed to with his previous groups. You almos got the feeling that Copeland wasn’t really concerned with appearing gangster or edgy, rather just a guy that likes to smoke weed and write raps. On his latest effort Acoustic Levitation, Copeland is clearly in his element as he delivers his spaced-out lines over beats that land somewhere between trap and psychedelic funk. It’s weird as hell, and totally makes sense for the oddball rapper.