Devin The Dude – Suite #420

    Even if you don’t live in Houston, Texas or frequent Hip Hop shows, you know Devin the Dude. While other emcees strive for a larger-than-life image of drugs and women, Devin covers the same topics—but in a pedestrian, everyman way that mirrors at least one member of crews of friends everywhere. Listening to emcees like 50 Cent or Jay-Z provides escapism or motivation to get rich via illegal means. But hearing Devin’s equal coverage of life’s highs and lows will encourage fans to call the friends that he reminds them of to relive or reminisce about his songs’ tales. His Andre 3000 and Snoop Dogg-assisted “What A Job” hits home for musicians and anyone dedicated to their vocation, “I Can’t Make It Home” recounts drunk driving with cops in the rear, and “Too Cute” talks about chasing out-of-your-league women. With Suite 420, Devin remains the relatable emcee that fans have bonded with for the last dozen years, and a clone of the affable friend that everyday guys have bonded with through entire lifetims.


    Two things that every troop’s Devin The Dude enjoys more than nearly anything are weed and women, and Suite 420 does its job of paying homage to both. Album opener “We Get High” features smoky bars about his chronic obsession, while “I Gotta Ho” matter-of-factly boasts about a well-rounded roster of girls. Don’t blow his buzz, or you’ll be the subject of a song like “Pick My Brain,” which he uses to gripe about thirsty emcees that bother him with industry questions while he’s at the club to have a good time. “This nigga’s bustin’ in talkin’ about publishing / When that ain’t the conversation we’re discussing / When we got a group of bitches over there in the mix…I don’t know right now how much I would charge for a verse / But I know that my dick is so hard that it hurts,” he complains under a self-produced beat that sounds like it belongs on Westside Connection‘s Bow Down debut. Wannabe Rap stars aren’t the only ones that fuck up Devin’s flow: “That Ain’t Cool” scolds jumpoffs that leave behind evidence like lipstick stains and hair strands that could get him in trouble with wifey.

    As harsh as those latter songs sound, they’re oddly admirable. It’s not like Devin is ignoring aspiring artists and irresponsible broads to pour his paychecks into material possessions like cars, houses and jewelry. Instead, he appreciates nightly pleasures like greenery and gushy-stuff while making sure that he and his friends are always having a good time. Songs like “All You Need” (“All you need is weed and nothing else…all those other narcotics fuck up your health,” the chorus croons) and the standout Mike Dean-produced slow jam “I Can’t Handle It,” which features him singing in full R&B mode to win back a former flame, show where his priorities lie. Additionally, the inclusion of his Odd Squad crew and guest appearances by lesser-known talent like Korey-B and Scool Boy make the album’s personable, crew-friendly vibe as potent as the trees Devin smokes.

    But as much as that friend of yours may seem like a directionless weedhead and panty-snatcher, he’ll occasionally drop a hint to show that he’s a layered person. The hook to “What I Be On” talks about Devin being focused on his grind and hustle, but in true, comical stoner fashion, the verses in between deviate back to his obvious topics of choice. He lends further chorus work to Rap duo 14K on “People Talk,” which sees the three of them dismissing gossip in a more relatable way than multiplatinum-selling artists’ ho-hum “fuck haters” rhymes. But Devin’s most insightful moment is on “Ultimate High” , which explains how simple things like waking up and working hard to provide for a grateful, loving family provide more elation than weed ever could.

    Devin The Dude’s Suite 420 works so well because it does exactly what music, not just Hip Hop, is supposed to: chronicle life experiences in an enjoyable, digestible way. So turn this on and roll one up, pull out your cell phone to text a breezy, or grab a few brews and enjoy the camaraderie of your own odd squad. Whatever your choice is, just don’t forget to invite Devin in for the fun.

    83 thoughts on “Devin The Dude – Suite #420

    1. i gotta ho beat is ridiculous. devin beats always tight.

      and for all these rappers that cant rap, or sing, and try doin both, like…

      drake, b.o.b., kid cudi… they need to listen to a song like “where ya at”. it works cuz its from the soul, hes not doin it to sell records. great storyteller, entertaining, and consistent. go cop this.

      1. pimp c singing voice >>> drake

        cee-lo singing voice >>> drake

        hes a mediocre singer, and mediocre rapper with no soul, thats why hes garbage. b.o.b. is wack, electro pop influence, corny verses, gay.

    2. Horrible review. Anyone who picks this CD up expecting a classic is going to be highly disappointed. The 4.5 has to based of Devin’s likable character and not the overall project.
      No one’s a bigger fan of Devin than myself, but this has got to be his worst album to date. When the exception of three or four bangers, it’s barley listenable.
      I’ve turned more people on to Devin than anyone else, but this is not good.
      After hearing some of the collaborative stuff he’s done in recent months like “Marley and Me”, I expected a lot more.
      You can’t deny Devin is one of the livest rappers out, but even a dope MC can put out some BS, and this is a prime example.

      1. Marley and Me came out over a year ago. How you claimin to be up on Devin. But I do agree 4.5 is a bit high, pun intended.

      2. this album was good and im glad that it was a high review rather then a 3 or a 3.5 cause this site usually gives every album a 3.5 so its good to hear an opinion that is for a cd and not just in the middle like always nigga

    3. Agree with fourtrackfiasco… the exception of four tracks this is a poor effort from devin I was expecting a lot because of previous albums & the single. Couldnt wait to hear it infact he’s 1 of my favorite artists.

      Dont know why he released the EP with 5 tracks a month before the album. I was hoping they were maybe tracks that didnt make it. its still worth getting if u aint heard the EP kinda ruined it for me listenng to that.

      Still Comin, What we be on, It’s On you & People talk are my 4 ( he should of done a verse on people talk chorus is ill tho) & Ultimate highs alright too.

      If he rapped on more of the tracks it’d be better. he just sings on not 1 but 3 or 4

    4. im a huge devin fan.. but horrible review… i feel he was over praised for this album.. its a good album… but not enough of what u expect from devin.. however it is better than landing gear.

    5. This is a nice album. Devin is one of the few artists that left Rap A Lot and continued to make good music. Mike Dean, Rob, Devin and the other producers put in good work on preserving Devin’s bluesy sound.

    6. Best album this year Pick My Brain is a classic heater. People who say this isn’t a good album stick yourself!!

    7. It’s a three for me as well, and I do love devin music, haven’t got his 1st yet but I do have just tryin’ ta live (which to me a classic), waiting to exhale (very good), and this one which seem to be the weakest one I have, some of the songs he speak so soft that I have to turn it up louder than I normally would have it just to hear the words clearly. It still have bangers no doubt but just a little too laid back for my taste, and I don’t smoke for those that do might enjoy a little better than I do.

    8. THE DUDE! haha i copped the e.p. earlier and havent heard the whole album but from the e.p. and the snippets i would assumme 4.5 is reaching like the broncos drafting tebow in the 1st…theres some dope cuts but thats some hefty praise

    9. CLASSIC Devin album!! Jam 4rm start to finish TERRIFIC evaluation of Devin’s underlining purpose of his lyrics

    10. AYE YO.

      This shit is dope as fuck. If you were going to buy a rap album BUY THIS SHIT WORD STRAIGHT THE FUCK UP.

      And turn on Pick My Brain. Real shit.

    11. its funny how all of the haters come out the woodworks when a nigga gets a higher rating than a 3.5 …..

      personally, i think this album deserves a 4/5 , but fuck everybody complaining! if ur a devin fan u should already know what to expect from him. he raps, sings, occasionally makes his own beats, doesnt have very many famous guest appearances, and hes only gonna talk about women and weed.

      i put this album above landing gear and i think its on the same level as waiting to exhale, if not better. the only real complaint i have about this album is that either it wasnt mixed right, or nobody else cared about the vocals. the beats have too much bass and sometimes its hard to hear what devin be talkin bout. other than that, i fucks with this album and devin is still one of my favorite rappers

    12. So DX is saying that this Devin The Dude is better than Little Brother’s new album and Murs and 9th’s new joint…..Hmmmm.Interesting.

    13. I don’t hear a 4.5/5 & i’m definitely not new to Devin. Maybe i need to give it a better listen.

    14. just bought the album last night,shit is dope,the snippets sound weak but since when do snips do any album justice???

    15. i got my copy saturday rolled a dutch and kick back an push play i like 11 out of 15 tracks its worth the buy

      beats crazy

    16. That Twitta’ skit alone is worth the price of admission. The Dude never disappoints. Album straight fire.

    17. Went to three different stores last week looking for this shit. Never in my life until now, have I ever been charged 16.99 by fuckin Best Buy for a cd. It was worth it tho, album’s dope.

    18. Beast album this year yet i get so high to it make no damn sense keep em comin devin or ill have to pick up afta ya mane love dat nigga mane he da best role model to have even my 3 yr old like em

    19. I can honestly say there is not 1 album in this dudes catalog that I have not enjoyed…one of my favorite artists by far…

    20. This record will grow on you! After the first couple listens I thought it was a piece of shit, but now I’m loving it! The beats remind me of old school Kool Keith (when he was still good). Devin rules.

    21. Love the albuM! Best Devin album so far.. so fucking smooth, i could vibe to this shit for 24hours straight!

    22. Love the albuM! Best Devin album so far.. so fucking smooth, i could vibe to this shit for 24hours straight!

      1. You dont have ta like him, but you have ta repect him. Haters gonna hate like clock work. Its cool, do you nigga but dont knock the hustle…….. while dude is doin shows screwin hoes you at your 9-5 beatin off on a saturday night… smh.

    23. Devin been That Dude for real…Amongst all of these muthafuckaz in the game, he’s the one that truly deserves in fuckin name…Simplicity, Humor, Talent…That’s real hip-hop right there…Nigga just spit about the average nigga’s life /behavior, he never be on some cocky shit, just everyday life…

      His shit should get radio airplay on a daily basis so anyone could get a true laugh, gettin some of that stress away, maybe roll up a blunt, take a pull or two, calm down your shit, so you wont feel the need to rip your boss face off & set this fat fuck on fire (I know what i’m talkin bout lol)…

      Been a fan of Devin since i heard Anythang…

    24. dude is the shit. if u dont think so than u obviously aint sparked one to dubbie ashtrey. just because this nigga is keepin it true school alot of dudes wanna hate on him. b eazy, keep doin ur thang devin. as long as i got bud to smoke ill b bumpin ur shit

    25. Just got it at target every song I listen to so far except one was tight I been listening to devin since his first album…..Last of a dying breed

    26. OK i am an Uber-Devin The Dude fan and imma ask the reviewer, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? This album is a disaster. There are only literally like 3 good songs. Its not nessarily the lyrics but the music. Its just horrible and most of them are not devin the dude-like at all. A lot of them had simplar meodies that you would not find on a devin the dude. The album just really disappointed me. But WE GET HIGH is a classic. Thats why the album even gets a rating.

    27. OK i am an Uber-Devin The Dude fan and imma ask the reviewer, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? This album is a disaster. There are only literally like 3 good songs. Its not nessarily the lyrics but the music. Its just horrible and most of them are not devin the dude-like at all. A lot of them had simplar meodies that you would not find on a devin the dude. The album just really disappointed me. But WE GET HIGH is a classic. Thats why the album even gets a rating.

      1. thats because its not always about the flow…with devin you gotta vibe out and listen to the man talk bro. he talks about real life and the things regular niggas go through every day down south…open your ears homie stop hearing n starting listening

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