Rapper Devin The Dude has signed a one-album deal with independent Razor & Tie and is prepping his fifth album, "Landing Gear," for release this fall.
After 15 years, Devin The Dude left Rap-A-Lot Records in February but insists there's no bad blood between he and the Houston independent label. "I'd been there for so long, there wasn't any disagreement," he says. "It was just time to try new things."
"Landing Gear" will be one of the first hip-hop projects released via Razor & Tie following their signing of Lil Jon's BME Recordings artist Shawty Putt. The independent recruited Cinematic Music Group's Jon Shapiro as their urban liaison, and Shapiro used his relationship with Devin to bring the MC to Razor & Tie. Cinematic Music Group manages R&B singer/rapper Sean Kingston.
"Razor mostly does metal and punk and I had a couple of deals on the table," says Devin The Dude. "Koch was interested but I chose to go with Razor because they made it easy and the numbers were right. While I wouldn't want to stand in line, waiting for my project to come out behind other artists, I wouldn't mind a larger label. Razor & Tie just came with a cool proposition."
Devin added that he also wasn't interested in a four-to-five year contract, which is typically the case when an artist signs with a major label. The MC says he wanted the option to release other one-off projects without being hampered by red tape.
The Coughee Brothers and the Odd Squad are crafting most of the production for "Landing Gear." Meanwhile, Devin is intent on embarking on a 30-state college market promotional tour in October. As for a video for his first single once its selected, fans may have to wait a bit longer.
"I don't do many videos," says Devin The Dude. "If we could find a treatment that works, I'm open. But, honestly, videos give me a headache."
Devin The Dude's last album, "Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1," was released in April 2008 and has to sold 6,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
After 15 years, Devin The Dude left Rap-A-Lot Records in February but insists there's no bad blood between he and the Houston independent label. "I'd been there for so long, there wasn't any disagreement," he says. "It was just time to try new things."
"Landing Gear" will be one of the first hip-hop projects released via Razor & Tie following their signing of Lil Jon's BME Recordings artist Shawty Putt. The independent recruited Cinematic Music Group's Jon Shapiro as their urban liaison, and Shapiro used his relationship with Devin to bring the MC to Razor & Tie. Cinematic Music Group manages R&B singer/rapper Sean Kingston.
"Razor mostly does metal and punk and I had a couple of deals on the table," says Devin The Dude. "Koch was interested but I chose to go with Razor because they made it easy and the numbers were right. While I wouldn't want to stand in line, waiting for my project to come out behind other artists, I wouldn't mind a larger label. Razor & Tie just came with a cool proposition."
Devin added that he also wasn't interested in a four-to-five year contract, which is typically the case when an artist signs with a major label. The MC says he wanted the option to release other one-off projects without being hampered by red tape.
The Coughee Brothers and the Odd Squad are crafting most of the production for "Landing Gear." Meanwhile, Devin is intent on embarking on a 30-state college market promotional tour in October. As for a video for his first single once its selected, fans may have to wait a bit longer.
"I don't do many videos," says Devin The Dude. "If we could find a treatment that works, I'm open. But, honestly, videos give me a headache."
Devin The Dude's last album, "Smoke Sessions, Vol. 1," was released in April 2008 and has to sold 6,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
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