It seems as if “rap’s best-kept secret” is no longer a secret at Whitman College.
Houston underground hip-hop artist Devin the Dude is performing at Whitman this Saturday, Feb. 28, at 9 p.m. in the Young Ballroom in Reid Campus Center. The Raptivists, one of Whitman’s own, will be opening at 8 p.m.
Considered one of the best underground hip-hop artists out there, Prefix magazine referred to Devin the Dude as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.”
While Devin the Dude, whose real name is Devin Copeland, has not hit the mainstream music scene, he is certainly well known amongst many Whitman students.
“I’ve been congratulated by a number of people for bringing an underground hip-hop hero, as he is definitely one of the most under appreciated rappers out there,” said junior Sam Chasan, Whitman Public Events Director. Chasan said he first saw Devin the Dude live with a group of friends from Whitman.
Since Devin the Dude is neither a local artist, nor an artist that gets big media attention, Chasan said that people either know him or they don’t.
“I’m hoping that those people who have already expressed enthusiasm to me bring their friends out for the show,” Chasan said.
First-year Chris Kaiser-Nyman first heard Devin the Dude featured on a track called “The Mule” on “Ratatat Remixes Volume II”, and loved the song.
“I never really looked into him any more,” Kaiser-Nyman said. “Then I heard he was coming to Whitman, so I checked him out some more. He rocks.”
Chasan described Devin the Dude’s music as laid-back, comical hip-hop.
“Devin the Dude is all about having fun, cracking jokes and being as not-serious as possible,” said Chasan. “This being said, he still puts out great songs with smooth beats and funky and catchy rhythms.”
“Devin is awesome,” Kaiser-Nyman agreed. “A skilled lyricist, he spits flaming hot fire that kicks – well – like a mule.”
When likening Devin the Dude to other artists, Chasan speculated that he probably has the closest sound to Snoop Dogg, because of his distinct voice and laid-back flow. Devin the Dude has a unique sound that has led to his collaboration with artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, Dilated Peoples, Nas, Scarface, Xzibit, DJ Premier, Jay-Z, Andre 3000 and the Roots.
Originally a member of the Southern hip-hop group Odd Squad, Devin the Dude made his solo debut in 1998 with the release of his album “The Dude.” He has come out with four albums since then, with “Landing Gear” released in October 2008.
Chasan suggests to those students who don’t know him, “Get to know him, go to his MySpace, ask your friends if they know him, come to the show. Even if you think you won’t enjoy it, you might.”
