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The Dude Abides: Don't Call It a Comeback

Things move mighty fast in this media climate, with a mere upload ruining reps or launching new careers. All this speed can have unintended consequences, though, like the legal furor surrounding Mistah F.A.B.'s yellow-bus-riding antics in the video for "Ghost Ride It." Other times, the web burps up a truly viral meme that quickly sears itself onto our retina, like Karl Rove trying his hand on the mic. But sometimes, just sometimes, the pace slows and we get to take a breath and hear from a few MCs whose loyal followings pre-date MySpace.

Despite a near-perfect batting average and a rabid fan base in his hometown of Houston, Devin the Dude has gone relatively unnoticed by mainstream audiences. Like the similarly slept-on Slick Rick in his heyday, Devin's lackadaisical, understated flow has sometimes caused people to overlook the fact that he's a top-shelf lyricist. After four solid albums, Devin should really have nothing to prove. Fortunately, with Waitin' to Inhale, Devin is content to leave the ain't-broken un-fixed, delivering more bemused and beguiling verses on such dependable subjects as weed, girls, dick size, and, well, weed.

While Devin's playful raps are his calling card, he rarely stops at mere comic relief. Pushing past caricature into fuller, deeper sketches, he never forgets to be funny. While Waitin' is a breath of fresh air throughout, the real showstopper is the lead single, "What a Job." Over a sly beat and a laid-back guitar lick, Devin waxes wistful about the trials and tribulations of a life in the recording studio. The song navigates the guest spot pitfalls with a damn near classic verse from Andre 3000 and decidedly so-so one from Snoop.

Another album that's arrived on the comeback-but-never-left train is Ridin High from 8Ball and MJG. This Tenessee duo have been spitting rhymes since long before the South surged into the spotlight in recent years, and from the sound of this offering, they'll be contentedly cruising in candy-paint cars well after the hype moves elsewhere.

Ridin High is brash survey of the various sounds bubbling up in Southern rap these days, from amped-up club fare to pulse-slowing screw songs. Many of the tracks are built from devilishly simple and effective beats, and most are overflowing with baroque digital flourishes that would fit right into a laser-lit disco. 8Ball and MJG play up the over-the-top atmosphere with a wealth of tales from the Memphis underbelly.Ridin High is not a subtle record, but it doesn't aim to be. Instead it's a joyful, triumphant celebration of a pair of larger-than-life hustlers.

A non-Southerner making his return this month is Jersey hero Redman. While Reggie Noble is certainly not lacking for gold albums and TV/movie credits, his gift for dense, off-the-wall rhymes is often underestimated. Aside from a few phoned-in hymns to Mary Jane, Red Gone Wild is a timely reminder of Red's skills, packing in some of the nimblest verbal gymnastics we've heard in a minute. The standout is the party-starting "Put It Down," a trademarked Timbaland production that shuffles along while Redman blurts out a series of tight, blunt bars. On "Freestyle Freestyle" Redman and old partner in crime Method Man conjure a back-in-the-day East Coast vibe over cascading kicks.

In the singles scene, Talib Kweli is refusing to call it a comeback, as he assembles his upcoming album. The first taste of it is the blogger- and biter-baiting "Say Something," which pairs him with the perpetually fiery Jean Grae. Slow burning, the track builds into a rousing battle tune that presages great things to come.

Another promising new single comes from relative unknowns Basswood Lane, who serve up "Ciabatta Bread." It's a menacing and addictive 808 track, far denser than its light and fluffy namesake. Meanwhile, indie rockers Ratatat have been steadily leaking a few rap-related goodies on their website. Best known for their epic and soaring instrumental synth-rock, the Brooklyn duo is prepping their second mixtape of hip-hop remixes. So far Z-Ro, Bun B, and Biggie have been stripped and flipped with electrifying results. No word on when this drops, so keep your eyes on those internets, as usual.

- Toby Warner
04.04.07