By Odeisel

Devin the Dude is one of the most consistent acts in music. When you pick up a Devin CD, you know that the frat house humor will be in full effect: there will be plenty of weed and booze and tales of freaky sex all connected by Devin’s natural charisma and humor. To a devoted fanbase, that’s a reason to pick up any Dude album. For someone on the outside looking in…it’s de ja vu all over again. His latest album, Gotta Be Me is more of the same, with a hint of maturity, but not much.

Devin attempts to express something deeper than a hard on for the ladies on 70’s soundtrack orchestral “I Like What U Do,” where he acknowledges that his lady is his queen and he’ll do anything to keep her amid dramatic, soft strings, brass and a vocal sample. “You So Real,” also employs those strings along with tinkling keys and a buttersoft  bassline to tell his lady she’s not a ho…but he’s glad he doesn’t have to beg to beat. “Ain’t Going Nowhere” actually features true emotional depth as Devin confronts a lost love and admits complicity with how the relationship failed in a rare moment of sobriety. A funky guitar lick saunters through bottom heavy base on “When Will I Win,” as Devin talks bad choices and the decisions and consequences emotionally and physically when you choose the street life.

That sentiment is absent on “Come and Go” on which Devin describes a sex and exit relationship with no strings attached.”Gimme Some” features Devin clownishly parodying R&B, wondering aloud when his target is going to give him some play and stop blue-balling him. Her “company is not enough for me” and he needs some action. He’s thrown away his black book and he’s focused on her but only if she gives him some. “No Need To Call” is classic Devin. Don’t call him if you don’t want your knees or your back dirty. He doesn’t want to talk (or text).

Whiney synth powers “Just Coolin,” is a day in the life of Devin, rolling through Houston, smoking weed, looking for honeys and dodging bored police.  The high-powered “Fuckha” finds Devin warning you against the man-eating block bust-down. Don’t hand cuff her, don’t chase, just run as fast as you can. The title tracks finds Devin interpolating Denise Williams’ classic “Free” for his ode to weed.

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9GnkEF_on0[/pro-player]

The album features four non-songs, the opening track “It’s Going Down” which functions as an opening monologue, “Shut Up” which is nothing more than Pinky’s “shut up” tirade from Ice Cube’s Next Friday movie, and the unapologetic “no shit dude” titled “I’m High.” “They 10’s” features Day Day’s ode to the rims on his lottery bought Beamer. They may not be dubs, but he keeps ‘em clean though.

Gotta Me Me is smooth rider music with smokey basslines, silky strings and enough funk to maintain your high. While Devin does attempt to add some depth, there isn’t much besides his norm, which is fun music for the smokers. Take a pull, pour a snifter of cognac and enjoy.

Devin The Dude-Gotta Be Me

05-Devin The Dude – Gotta Be Me – DOPEHOOD.COM
3.25 out of 5

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