Devin The Dude has been a fixture in hip-hop for over a decade. His imprint on the sound of Rap-a-lot records has proven he is indeed a bricklayer for the movement going on in Houston, Texas. Countless features would lead many to believe he would have more than four albums under his belt, but when you manage your career the way Devin The Dude has, choosing not to over saturate the market has established his career and kept his voice a float. Long before rappers harmonizing or better yet singing their sixteens was common place, Devin The Dude stood out amongst his peers. Establishing a style all his own was not hard for this emcee who intertwines sexual escapades that are downright raunchy to lovemaking at its finest with lyricism and comedy. This signature styling made him the perfect feature on such classics like Dr. Dre's "F--- You" from The Chronic 2001 and Scarface's timeless track "F--- Faces." As sexually overt lyrics became a growing trend, Devin The Dude managed to clearly separate himself from other sexually explicit rappers like Too Short. Having touched the mainstream through other artists' albums, Devin The Dude is set and ready to take his underground legend status to levels his fans know he deserves. With his fourth release, properly titled Waitin' To Inhale, The Dude has not lost "it" at all -- in many ways he flows like an emcee with a mission. And while on this mission, he displays a clear understanding of the price of fame. Conveying his understanding of fame while enjoying the lifestyle on tracks like "What A Job" and "Somebody Else's Wife" are done with maturity and excellence. While keeping busy promoting Waitin' To Inhale, touring and introducing his new group the Coughee Brothaz, Devin The Dude took time to chat it up with Ballerstatus.com about his new album and how he stays afloat. Ballerstatus.com: I'm speaking to Devin The Dude, wow... how are you doing? Devin The Dude: I'm doing good, just grinding it out, getting over the humps and bumps. I'm Smoothing it out, it's a beautiful day today. Ballerstatus.com: You have this new album out and just to let you know my whole city (Seattle) is buzzing about it, would you say this is your best work to date? Devin The Dude: Yes most definitely. The energy and feedback I'm getting is so strong. I sure do appreciate it. Ballerstatus.com: On this album you hear the maturity and the growth. This Devin is a little reserved, but you are still doing your signature style. How were you able to couple the two? Devin The Dude: Well, I guess chilling with my homeboys, my co-workers like the Odd Squad, my people that have been around since the beginning, so the music and the content is still the same. But I am getting older, I have more responsibility and that tends to alter the music just a little bit. That way things aren't too raw and it's good that I have my family members around me who won't let me stray too far away from what we usually do, but reminding me to chill out a little bit on some of the lyrics. Ballerstatus.com: You have done so much in your career. How many years have you been around? Devin The Dude: Since about '92 or '93. The Odd Squad came out with an album in 1994 titled Fadnuf Fa Erybody. Back in '89/'90, I was freestyling and working with rap, you know trying to get my foot in the door. Yea I'm pretty old school. Ballerstatus.com: You are pretty old school if you think about it, but you are just as relevant now. What do you attribute that to? Devin The Dude: Consistency and versatility. Ballerstatus.com: People like you, Yukmouth and host of others have been able to maintain quite nicely with touring and albums that never brought about mainstream attention, while fads in hip-hop and other artists come and go. What are you doing differently? Devin The Dude: It feels real good, you know? Now of course it feels good when you can go out with a host of others and do those big arenas, but when you can hold it down yourself in those smaller venues and the