Devin the Dude | |
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Devin the Dude performing in Pearland, TX in 2010
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Background information | |
Birth name | Devin Copeland |
Born |
Pontiac, Michigan, United States |
June 4, 1970
Origin | Houston, Texas, United States |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, Record producer |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | Rap-a-Lot, Razor & Tie, Real Talk, E1 |
Associated acts | Coughee Brothaz, Facemob, Scarface, Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000, UGK, Curren$y, Smoke DZA |
Website | www |
Devin Copeland (born June 4, 1970), better known by his stage name Devin the Dude, is an American hip hop recording artist from Houston, Texas. He is perhaps best known for his unique rapping style, his long career signed to Rap-A-Lot Records, as well as his 2002 songs "Lacville '79" and "Doobie Ashtray".
Devin Copeland was born in Pontiac, Michigan on June 4, 1970. He spent most of his childhood growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida 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; marijuana 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.
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 Records. 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 eight 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), Gotta Be Me (2010) and One for the Road (2013). 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, Slim Thug's "I'm Back" off of Boss of All Bosses in 2009, Gucci Mane's "Kush Is My Cologne" of off The State vs Radric Davis in 2009 alongside Bun B & E-40, Tech N9ne's "After Party" in 2010 off of The Gates Mixed Plate, and Young Jeezy's "Higher Learning" off of the late 2011 album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition.