Houston's history is dotted with albums that, fairly or not, have been swept aside. We'll examine them here. Have an album that you think nobody knows about but should? Email [email protected].
Devin the Dude Waitin' to Inhale (2007, Rap-A-Lot)
For the breadth of his decade-long career, the Dude's content has focused on the holy trinity of slack: Pussy, weed and alcohol. This, of course, he has slyly (and somewhat curiously) used to mask the fact that he is one of Houston's most ingenious musicians. Though it's not the best in his discography, Waitin' is a fine display of his talents. Plus, this album contains two songs that you should never, ever forget exist. More about each one after the jump.
Y'allmustaforgotability: 50 percent
Everyone knows "What A Job" is from here, the track that featured Andre 3000, who mirrors Devin's own self-deprecating absurdity with a completely opposite, though equally nuanced, "Heylookatme"-ness; and Snoop (comparable to Devin in more obvious ways).
It's heads or tails as to whether or not you'd be able to name another song from here. It gets a better score than Cham's The Sound of Revenge (which also had trouble clearing the "Everyone Knows About The Mega-Song From The Album, But What About The Other Tracks?" y'allmustaforgotability hurdle - on account of "Broccoli and Cheese" becoming a cult-like favorite among Duders*.
*That's the unofficial name we just made up for Devin's superfans. Run with it.
Read what Y'allmustaforgotability means.
Best Song on the Album: "What A Job"
People went nuts for this song. In part because it was a great song, but probably more because it looked like Devin, perpetual practitioner of the "I'm Just Gonna Do What It Was That Got Me To This Point Regardless Of How Many Times I Get Propositioned To Do A Sellout Song Or Record" mantra, might start reaching outside of his wheelhouse for his music. He didn't. You could argue that that was bad for his career. Or you could argue that it was the best move he's ever not made. Either way, you're probably a little right.
Best Song on the Album Where Devin Compares His Penis To Various Dinner Accoutrements: "Broccoli and Cheese"
Remember that "My Dick" song Mickey Avalon did that everyone thought was great until they listened to it more than three times? This is like that, only the reverse. That Devin can make a song like "Broccoli and Cheese" and not come off as hateable is exactly why he'll be making records until his late 40s, and nobody will call him out for being a rapper in his late 40s still making records.
Most Expository Line On The Album: "I'm trying to do what I love, I love what I do. This music is something more different than the weed and the brew."
Some breathtakingly amazing fellow once wrote about how Devin plays the role of loveable stoner more endearingly than anyone ever has, but that that's hardly what it is that actually draws people to him (even if they don't realize it). This line speaks to that.
Obscure Fact(s) You Can Pawn Off As Your Own To Make Yourself Look Smart:
Devin's Suite 420 album was actually prepared well before he released it - the idea was, anyway - but he held off on letting it out until this past year because he wanted to wait until a the 20th of April (hence the 4/20) landed on a Tuesday, the day CDs are released. He's like a method actor or something.
