Copeland started out as a member of the Odd Squad, later known as the Coughee Brothaz, a group of rappers signed to Rap-A-Lot Records. The label is notable for being the home of hip-hop artists such as Geto Boys, Scarface, and Too Much Trouble. Copeland moved on to become part of Scarface's Facemob, before going solo in 1998.[1] Copeland has released six solo albums: The Dude (1998), Just Tryin' ta Live (2002), To tha X-Treme (2004), Waitin' to Inhale (2007), Landing Gear (2008), and Gotta Be Me (2010). He also made a number of guest appearances, including on Dr. Dre's "Fuck You" in 1999, and De La Soul's "Baby Phat" in 2001.[1]
In 2008, he ended his 15 year relationship with Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records because the label failed to renew his contract.[2] Later that year, he signed with indie label Razor & Tie.[3]
Despite being a critical success, Devin the Dude has not achieved success in the mainstream but continues to be a well-known underground hip-hop artist. The New York Times has called him "A brilliant oddball with a spaced-out flow."[4] In addition, he has been called "Rap's best-kept secret" and "Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper."[5] In 2007, he appeared in a documentary titled Screwed In Houston produced by VBS/Vice Magazine that details the history of the Houston rap scene.
Doobie Ashtray
Devin the Dude Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you gonna do when the people go home
And you want to smoke weed but the reefer's all gone
And somebody had the nerve to take the herb up out the doobie ashtray
Why they do me that way
What you gonna do when ya friends go home
And you want to take a pill but ya end's all gone
Somebody had the nerve to take the herb up out my doobie ashtray
You probably don't have a big ol house on the hill
But if you did just imagine how it would feel
If your phone got disconnected, no cash, and ya gas cut off
And the gal that you had that was helping just stepped the fuck off
She took the kid, the dog, and the kitty
And everybody know you're at a low they feel pity
And what's really fucked up is now you're just normal
No more hoes, no more clothes, can't go to the show 'cause it's formal
And you wonder why why why why why
And you resort to gettin high
But damn, you can't find ya stash
And you never took the time to ask yourself
[Chorus]
You probably don't have a lot of money
But if you did would you find it funny
If you lent, and you spent it, and you didn't invest
Or put it in the bank so we can gain some interest
You just went and copped the biggest car you could find
And a couple more just like it so your friends could follow behind
Never mind how much it costs, you copped the best weed to smoke
And for her a fur coat
You got jet skis and boats
And next thing you're broke (damn)
And the yacht that you got, it won't sail or float
You look back and try to catch someone's attention for help
You made a right at the light and they made a left and you ask yourself
[Chorus]
Why they do me that way
Yeah
Hey hey hey
Ain't no more doobies in the tray
What you gonna do when the people go home (home home home)
want to smoke some weed but the reefer's all gone (gone gone gone)
What you gonna do when your friends go home
And you want to take a pill but your end's all gone (gone gone gone gone)
All gone
Devin the Dude's "Doobie Ashtray" is a contemplation on life's hardships and the role that drugs play as a coping mechanism for them. The chorus consists of two scenarios. The first is wanting to smoke weed but discovering that the herb has been taken from the doobie ashtray. The second is wanting to take a pill but discovering that one's stash is gone. In both scenarios, there is a sense of frustration and helplessness. This sense is further underscored by the verses in which Devin discusses the difficulties that life can throw one's way.
In the first verse, Devin talks about how life can be really difficult at times, and when one is hit with one bad thing after another, it can be hard to pick oneself up. Devin uses the imagery of a lowly situation where one's phone is disconnected, one has no cash, and the gas is cut off, all while their partner has left them. Being left alone in such a situation can make one feel helpless and overwhelmed. As a result, one often resorts to drugs to help cope with the situation. The second verse talks about how people try to use money to escape their problems but don't realize that it often makes things worse. Instead of investing it, they buy expensive things that they can't afford, and in the end, they are left with nothing. Devin warns against this kind of lifestyle, asking people to be more responsible with their money.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gonna do when the people go home
And you want to smoke weed but the reefer's all gone
And somebody had the nerve to take the herb up out the doobie ashtray
Why they do me that way
You're left high and dry with no weed to smoke and someone took the rest from the doobie ashtray. You're stuck wondering why someone would do that to you.
You probably don't have a big ol house on the hill
But if you did just imagine how it would feel
If your phone got disconnected, no cash, and ya gas cut off
And the gal that you had that was helping just stepped the fuck off
She took the kid, the dog, and the kitty
And everybody know you're at a low they feel pity
And what's really fucked up is now you're just normal
No more hoes, no more clothes, can't go to the show 'cause it's formal
And you wonder why why why why why
And you resort to gettin high
But damn, you can't find ya stash
And you never took the time to ask yourself
You imagine having a big house but then reality hits. You have no money, no gas, your phone is off, and your girlfriend left with your family and pets. You're left feeling sorry for yourself and don't have the money for fancy parties or clothes. You turn to smoking weed to cope with everything but can't find it, forgetting to reflect on your actions.
You probably don't have a lot of money
But if you did would you find it funny
If you lent, and you spent it, and you didn't invest
Or put it in the bank so we can gain some interest
You just went and copped the biggest car you could find
And a couple more just like it so your friends could follow behind
Never mind how much it costs, you copped the best weed to smoke
And for her a fur coat
You got jet skis and boats
And next thing you're broke (damn)
And the yacht that you got, it won't sail or float
You look back and try to catch someone's attention for help
You made a right at the light and they made a left and you ask yourself
If you had a lot of money, would you find it funny if you spent it all without investing or saving it? You spent it on flashy cars, weed, fur coats, and boats. You realize too late that you're broke and can't even use the yacht that you got. You try to ask for help on the road but nobody sees you. You're left wondering how you got into this situation.
Why they do me that way
Yeah
Hey hey hey
Ain't no more doobies in the tray
What you gonna do when the people go home (home home home)
want to smoke some weed but the reefer's all gone (gone gone gone)
What you gonna do when your friends go home
And you want to take a pill but your end's all gone (gone gone gone gone)
All gone
You're left with no weed to smoke or pills to take. You repeat the same questions from the beginning of the song, wondering why someone took the weed and what to do now that it's all gone.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher E. Martin, Devin C Copeland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Kizito
This song remember me some years ago
@889bigdave
If you’re listening to this in 2024 you’re definitely a G.O.A.T nothing but blessing coming your way ✌️
@808Dobbs
You too bro 🙏
@user-vj9pg7lx3s
Seeing him in a few months
@jj9486
Song just popped on my mind cause all my weed gone 😢
@fadedthenaho777
❤
@jasonpayne6495
It brings tears to my eyes that someone would have the nerve to take Devin the Dude's herb up out of his dubie ashtray and do him that way
@MsAbnormalLife
They took his beer out of his fridge too
@xeniafragoso22
I'm in tears 😭😭😂
@Randy.Bobandy
Damn, I can't find my stash. And I never took the time to ask...