Getting back to analog sounds with Devin the Dude

He’s your rapper’s favourite rapper. The uber talented Houston rapper Devin the Dude is finally gracing Australian shores this September for the very first time and we can’t wait. There is no doubt the first thing that springs to mind when you mention Devin is his 2 loves for weed and BBQ sauce. He’s a MC who needs no introduction to hip hop fans, having been in the game since the 80’s and has worked with legendary artists’ such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Andre 3000.

We chat to Devin the Dude about what we can expect from his Aussie shows, his love for remote-controlled cars, and why being respected from the younger artists’ is more then he could ask for. Margaret Tra writes.

We're super excited to see you in Oz, what's the one thing you're looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to hearing a new accent, eating new foods, meeting people and finding out about the culture and history of Aussie! It'll be my very first time so I will try to soak up as much as possible. I can't wait to hear the music also. Not just rap/hip-hop but the music of the land.

You have 2 loves, weed and sauces, what would be your third most favourite thing?

Yeah, weed is one of my loves. I do love to BBQ even in the winter, but my other love, other than music, I would have to say is remote-controlled cars, helicopters, and quad-copters. Over the past 4 years I've been racing cars on a professional off-road track, flying helicopters and using my quad copter to record my latest video "Just Gettin' Blowed.” I figured I needed a hobby.

What kind of sounds and instruments are you working on with the new album? Will it be what we're used to, or something completely different?

The sounds I’m using now is not that much different then my other songs. It may be a tad bit cleaner as far as individual sounds. There are so many new EQ's and mixing programs now. I'm fiddling with a new drum programer called Maschine by Native Intruments but I like the old, warm analog sound too so there will be a mixture.

Read that your place got broken into, how's everything are you ok?

Yeah man, shit happens. Someone broke into my house while I was gone for a week. It put a little damper on the production of the up-coming album but the show must go on. I like to work mostly on recording vocals at home, mix at another place, and master at a third. They got a lot of music equipment, TV's, and computers but it was insured and the house is secured.

For someone who starting rapping in the golden years, how does it feel to know other rappers today look up to you and what you do?

To be looked up to by peers and guys that I look up to is really cool, but to be liked and respected by the younger generation is more than I could ever ask for. There seems to be a slight gap in the way things are said and done nowadays in the rap game but change is inevitable.

What stimulates your soul?

What stimulates my soul? Hmmmm...Probably being able to give. Whether it’s a kind word, music, physical help, or finances. It seems, for me, blessings tend to follow.