It is an uncommon occurrence to happen upon Hip Hop artists who manage to carve a successful niche that achieves both longevity and critical adulation without going pop. Having started on (Houston’s primary cultural monument) Rap-A-Lot Records in the late ’90s, Devin The Dude has outlasted many who have come and gone within urban music’s overcrowded creative populace due to his show stealing cameo choruses (most notably Dr. Dre’s “Fuck You” from The Chronic 2001 sequel) and the raunchy humorous ingenuity found within his solo work. Seriously Trippin is Devin’s latest EP, a further jaunt capturing the essence of his soulful adult oriented aesthetic.
Having attained a cult following of sorts with a routine likely inspired by blaxploitation icon Rudy Ray Moore’s racy shtick as well as censorship martyrs Luther Campbell and the 2 Live Crew, Seriously Trippin finds Devin The Dude’s reverential graphic nature continuing to define his art. A proponent of paying homage to music’s pioneers to come before him, “You’ll Be Satisfied” interpolates Aretha Franklin’s “Day Dreaming” as Devin’s signature crooning passes up momentary pleasure on the road in crass favor of his preferred woman, while “Keep It Tight” limits his concept of romance to a carnal end game using suggestive double entendre to request committed loyalty. Conversely, “Dat Nigga Dere” finds him less debonair and more ruthless, willing to brave a physical confrontation with an old flame’s new beau in attempts of rekindling their former fling, demonstrating a different facet of approaching the fairer gender altogether.
Departing from the pursuits of companionship, Devin The Dude treads into uncharted territory for Hip Hop as the well intentioned “Exercise” extolls the importance of working out and maintaining a proper diet, a much needed message despite falling short of its seeming aim to amuse. As well, the somber “Stop Waiting” instructs the complacent to take life by the horns, a thoughtful tune reminiscent of fan favorite “Doobie Ashtray.” These serious moments are not quite enough to overlook the waned quality of Seriously Trippin, as Devin’s defiant chauvinism may be received as rote provided longtime followers have grown past enjoying his shallow and slightly overbearing proclivity towards speaking to matters of the flesh.
