Album: Devin The Dude – Waiting To Inhale

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At a time when the world of Hip Hop seems to be more serious and stone faced than ever, to go along with the paranoid and panic-driven world view that society in general has taken, the class clown who still finds the right time to drops gems, is needed more than ever. The late 80s had Biz Markie, the early to mid 90s had Digital Underground and Shock G’s infamous Humpty Hump alter ego and then finally in the late 90s/early 2000s the torch was figuratively passed to the clown prince of Dallas, a Dude by the name of Devin. Over the course of his past three solo albums, being a part of influential crew the Odd Squad before that, Devin has existed in his own euphoric world of partying hard but still finding time for self analysis, with listeners happy to cast aside their inhibitions and go along for the 70 minute ride.

The phrase “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” comes to mind, as Devin The Dude continues his familiar journey of entertaining tales about infidelity and intoxication over well crafted live instrumentation. For the album’s highlights look no further than the first two singles. Devin is joined by the ever improving Lil’ Wayne and the one and only Bun B on Lil’ Girl Gone which weaves tales of teenage angst and troubled childhoods over one of the richest and most beautiful concoctions Hip Hop has heard in a long time. The current state of the music industry is given a refreshing perspective on the bluesy What A Job, as Snoop Dogg and Andre 3000 join the somber party. The main issues are addressed first (e.g. illegal downloading/file sharing), the artists then go on to point out that personally they are in it for the creative expression and to touch peoples lives, financial gain is not their top priority. The sincerity it is approached with makes it a very believable musical statement.

You’re enjoyment of this album is partly dependent on how many tracks covering similar subject matter you can listen to. If that isn’t an issue then you’ll enjoy the likes of Broccoli & Cheese and Just Because. At first it sounds like a sappy love ballad with its sample of LL Cool J’s I Need Love, however, in the hands of Devin The Dude it is morphed into a somewhat twisted revenge fantasy on the women that have done him wrong, as he wishes “If only for one night I could take you by your hand and cut that ho off for stealin’ the heart of a man”. Loyal fans will find solace in this entertaining release, happy to enter Devin’s world once again.

Although Waiting To Inhale may sound like it would just cater to purists, new listeners who come in without expectations will find a rewarding listen that takes them to another place without having to even leave the house. Waiting To Inhale will put you in a different head space without the aid of mind enhancing products. Bottoms up!

Available Through Rap-A-Lot/Asylum Records