Review Summary: Unique Amongst Today's Hip-Hop Trends
It's a shame, as a fan of music, to know that some of the greatest talents in the world do not get more exposure than they have achieved. Devin the Dude is one such talent. In an age when traditional "topical" hip-hop is scarce and fleeting, the Dude never seems to disappoint.
In his sophomore outing, Mr. Copeland covers everything that no one wants to talk about anymore in the realm of rap. From dealing with a crappy car ('Lac ville '79) to young children attending concerts they shouldn't be at (Who is that Man Moma?), Devin proves to be as versatile as a Swiss Army Knife. From a show and tell story with an alien from Mars (Zeldar), to getting harassed and laughed at by your peers (I-Hi). No, these are not the subjects of simple lines, but of entire songs that showcase Devin's cleverly structured story telling and open thinking, as well as his wordsmith skills. You won't find repetitive and monotonous wordplay about guns and having sex with every woman you meet (and even though this is repeated several times, he does address the woes of cheating in relationships).
To sum it up, "Just Tryin' ta Live" is a classic in every sense of the word. It's either ahead of it's time, or it has been too long since hip-hop breathed in this way. Charming, Sad, Relaxed, Blunt, Nasty, and Funny all at once, this is an album EVERY fan of hip-hop should own.
