1. A rapper from… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists who use the name Devlin:
1. A rapper from London, signed to Island Records.
2. A gothic metal band from Sweden, last signed to Napalm Records.
1. Rapper from United Kingdom:
It’s taken a handful of years for Dagenham resident Devlin to take his deep, dedicated lyrics out of the confines of East London and prove his worth across the North/South border. It’s now not unusual to watch Devlin causing carnage on stage in Northampton or booking shows in Amsterdam.
At 18 years of age Devlin has what can only be described as a cult following of supporters that value his intelligent and evocative lyrics, in a pool of MCs that all too often spawn monotonous and lacklustre rappers. A diamond in the rough, Devlin’s road to success began at O.T. Recordings where he still currently resides with label-mates Dogzilla, Shotz, Syer, Rachet, and Deverlish amongst others.
Devlin was first brought to O.T's attention when he hit the airwaves on a local radio station at jus 13; even then it was easy to see he had real talent. Devlin would go up radio as much as he could with whoever would let him on, he was also writing and recording songs with friends and local producers at a very young age. It wasn’t very long before he built up a good reputation in the area. A few years later he was brought to Dogzilla's attention again, this time by a mutual friend, Dogzy decided to give Devlin a chance and took him to the studio to check him out and lay some vocals. At the time the Danny Weed's (Roll Deep) "Heat Up" was one of the most popular tracks around, Devlin jumped on it and didn’t disappoint, spitting a high level of content at a good speed and at the same time displaying a style and flow well beyond his years.
Devlin was soon introduced to the rest of the O.T Crew and Dogzy wasted no time in organising a radio slot on Flava FM. Flava was a well known breeding ground for new talent, the management at Flava have had almost every big name in the scene on there at some point so it was the perfect place for Devlin to start his membership with O.T. The sets on Flava FM were massive, every week the phone line would jam when Devlin touched the mic. He soon made the switch to Rinse FM where he was an instant hit. Still only 16 Devlin had shown he could mix it with the big boys; he even managed to do a set with the legend that is DJ Slimzee before his departure from radio.
His relentless progression continued with each track Devz featured on. The combination between Dogzilla and Devlin on tracks was deadly and a freestyle from producer Rootz showed just how far Devlin had come, and in such a short space of time. The Rootz track along with eight other tracks featuring Devlin was to appear on O.T Recordings fist mixtape release.
The London Borough of Barking & Dogenham Mixtape was released in Feb. 2006 and received great critical success. (Check Blog - Reviews/Interviews). One of the stand-out tracks on the CD was Devlin's Ghetto Kyote Remix freestyle which was produced by O.T Recording's Deverlish. The track was played right across the board, from pirate stations like Rinse to commercial radio stations such as 1Xtra and Kiss Fm. Devlin has performed live sets on both commercial stations; with DJ Logan Sama at Kiss100FM and DJ Cameo at BBC 1Xtra. He has also appeared on The Media Gang's Practice Hours DVD and Target's Aim High, Risky Roadz and Rinse FM's Rinsessions mixtape.
2006 saw Devlin hit the shops twice with the O.T Recordings mixtape, vinyl release April Shower from O.T producer Shotz and Firein produced by production talent Rachet. Devlin also featured heavily on Broad Street Stories and the uber-successful Shot City Mixtape.
More recently Devlin joined The Movement; a group of some of the very best MCs and producers in the grime scene including Ghetto, Scorcher and Wretch 32. Tempo Specialists was released in 2007 and proved that the best MCs in the scene had formed a strong alliance.
Devlin's first solo mixtape entitled Tales From The Crypt was released in November 2006. It featured collaborations with O.T and The Movement members and was considered one of the best grime mixtapes of 2006.
Since Devlin’s first solo release, the young MC is gearing up for his second effort ‘Blood, Sweat and Beers’ and the Devlin E.P as the talented MC garners more press attention and support throughout the UK and Europe.
http://www.officialdevlin.com/
2. Gothic metal band from Sweden
Members:
Marcus Ehlin - Instruments, vocals (Siebenbürgen, Grand Illusion, Maledictum, A Canorous Quintet)
Lexi - Vocals
http://www.myspace.com/unofficialdevlin
Dumplin
Devlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D-E-V to the Z And
when I say don't get left broke Nah
I don't mean left in the red Them
guys can have plenty of cash But
when it comes to comparison they're looking to lack I'm
looking to stack money piles quicker than flats So
they can Stop
fuck it I'm broke for the minute Oh
well at least I got a hold on my lyrics They
can have cash I got soul I got spirit I
keep my head out of the heavens And
close to the ground like midgets With
damn dirty lyrics that are rising Define
the aspects of physics I'm
that blue vodka drink that your girls been sippin at the bar all night Yeah
I'm WKD I'm, wicked Haters
I'll be more specific you can suck dick or send your best wishes Your
girl didn't give the crew kisses After
10 dicks her cunt smelt of fishes Slut
on her knees surrounded by willies Your
girls grimey like my bars are I'm
like tracy chapman - I wanna drive away in a fast car Wish
I could drive to where the moon and the stars are From
a place where the people are dirt poor Keep
an eye on the queens head that's what you'll get hurt for You'll
see violence the same as a blood and crip turf war And
the bars keep dragging like a night shift I'll
tell 'em get back on the bike like ryan nyquist They
aint never seen or heard of nothing like this Nah
I'm killing it with tightness every time I ride this It's
devz I'm full of surprises I
wanna touch the sky like high rises I
re-wrote the whole of the script Turned
out the lights and left em in the dark like a solar eclipse Stay
close to the beats like when you slowdance with your girl got a hold Of
her hips All
we hold round here is chibs Emoitonless
kids that are pissed where they live Coppers
that are quick to be pricks You
could be abiding the law and you could still get nicked Me
I'm too quick I aint never been nicked There's
been some close calls I've
had to jump walls I've
been running through schools and stashing up tools None
of them coppers aint knocked what I live like I'm
not a gangster definitely, not I'm
just trapped in the lands of ciminality Reality
stepping, in rapidly My
right hand works like it's powered mechanically My
shit is all self explanatory I'm
just trying to save their sanity But
they can pay for enlightenment five pound for my cd this aint no Charity
Devz's
got a killer vocabulary All
mad at me thought they be glad for me But
hating's un-holy like blasphemy If
you don't like me don't chat to me I'm
putting in the hours like a worker in the factory I
got weights on my back like a shirt or a sweater I'll
stick to the spitting for worse or for better I'm
waiting to go through the worst of the weather The
other side must be better I've
been hung out to dry now I've come back to try Defining
the art of lyrical criminal rhymes - slap someone multiple times Now
they wanna tell me that I'm the best spitter whos white I'm
just the best full stop None
of them couldnt step in then stop If
they stop then I make em walk off side it's time these haters behave We
fuck it up all over the country in a rave Me
ghetts slice and lunar we all get paid
In Devlin's song Dumplin, he speaks about being broke in the moment but not caring about it as he has a hold on his lyrics, his soul, and spirit. He talks about the comparison with those who have plenty of cash but lack in aspects that Devlin is striving to achieve – to stack money piles quicker than flats. Devlin believes that he defines the aspects of physics with his damn dirty lyrics, likening himself to the blue vodka drink that the girls have been sipping on at the bar. He speaks about his envy for Tracy Chapman's ability to drive away in a fast car and to be able to drive to where the moon and the stars are, away from a place where people are dirt poor.
Devlin is expressing his frustration with the reality of criminality surrounding him, where kids are emotionless and coppers (police officers) are quick to be pricks, and one could be abiding by the law and still get nicked (arrested). He speaks about his experience of having close calls with the law enforcement and having to jump walls, run through schools, and stash up tools, yet none of the coppers understand how he lives. Devlin is not claiming to be a gangster but rather feels trapped in the lands of criminality.
The song is a statement of Devlin's authenticity in his musical prowess, as he speaks about his struggle to stay true to his craft, even in unfavorable circumstances. He is staying disciplined to his art and pushing himself to be the best, regardless of his financial situation. Devlin talks about his desire to touch the sky and redefine the art of lyrical criminal rhymes while slapping someone multiple times.
Line by Line Meaning
It's
Introduction and indication of the singer's identity
D-E-V to the Z
Pronunciation of the singer's stage name
And when I say don't get left broke
Clarification that the following statements are not about money
Nah I don't mean left in the red
Further indication that something else is being discussed
Them guys can have plenty of cash
Acknowledgement of the wealth of others
But when it comes to comparison they're looking to lack
Implication that others may have money, but not talent
I'm looking to stack money piles quicker than flats
Desire to gain financial security
So they can stop looking at me and start looking at that
Encouragement for others to focus on their own success
But fuck it I'm broke for the minute
Admission of current financial status
Oh well at least I got a hold on my lyrics
Contentment with having musical talent
They can have cash I got soul I got spirit
Belief in the value of artistic ability over wealth
I keep my head out of the heavens
Humility and staying grounded
And close to the ground like midgets
Further emphasis on humility and staying grounded
With damn dirty lyrics that are rising
Acknowledgment of the uncensored content in his music
Define the aspects of physics
Comparison to the power and impact of his music
I'm that blue vodka drink that your girl's been sippin at the bar all night
Metaphor for being desirable and unforgettable
Yeah I'm WKD, I'm wicked
Elevating his own coolness and edginess
Haters I'll be more specific, you can suck dick or send your best wishes
Sass towards anyone who has a problem with him
Your girl didn't give the crew kisses
Implication that he is desired by women
After 10 dicks her cunt smelt of fishes
Criticism of promiscuity in women
Slut on her knees surrounded by willies
Further crude and vulgar reference to sexual activity
Your girls grimy like my bars are
Comparison between the dirtiness of women and his lyrics
I'm like Tracy Chapman - I wanna drive away in a fast car
Desire for freedom and luxury
Wish I could drive to where the moon and the stars are
Dreaming of something unattainable
From a place where the people are dirt poor
Reference to a difficult upbringing or social environment
Keep an eye on the Queen's head that's what you'll get hurt for
Warning to be careful with financial decisions
You'll see violence the same as a blood and crip turf war
Acknowledgement of the prevalence of violence in underprivileged areas
And the bars keep dragging like a night shift
Reference to the continuous cycle of hardship
I'll tell 'em get back on the bike like Ryan Nyquist
Encouragement to keep going and not give up
They ain't never seen or heard of nothing like this
Claiming originality and uniqueness in his music
Nah I'm killing it with tightness every time I ride this
Belief in his own ability to perform well
It's Devz I'm full of surprises
Introduction of his stage name once again and claiming to be unpredictable
I wanna touch the sky like high rises
Desire for success and greatness
I rewrote the whole of the script
Claiming to have impressive songwriting skills
Turned out the lights and left 'em in the dark like a solar eclipse
Describing the impact of his music on his audience
Stay close to the beats like when you slow dance with your girl got a hold of her hips
Importance of music in his life and the lives of others
All we hold round here is chibs
Reference to the prevalence of knives in dangerous areas
Emotionless kids that are pissed where they live
Description of a bleak and unhappy environment
Coppers that are quick to be pricks
Criticism of law enforcement in deprived areas
You could be abiding the law and you could still get nicked
Reference to the difficulty of living in areas with high crime rates
Me I'm too quick I ain't never been nicked
Claiming to be able to avoid trouble and the law
There's been some close calls I've had to jump walls
Acknowledgement of dangerous situations the singer has been in
I've been running through schools and stashing up tools
Reference to involvement in illegal activity
None of them coppers ain't knocked what I live like
Belief in his ability to avoid getting caught by law enforcement
I'm not a gangster definitely, not
Distance from the stereotype of a gangster
I'm just trapped in the lands of criminality
Explanation of his situation
Reality stepping in rapidly
Realization of the hardships of his environment
My right hand works like it's powered mechanically
Description of his skill as a rapper
My shit is all self explanatory
Belief in the clarity and quality of his lyrics
I'm just trying to save their sanity
Claiming to be a positive influence on his audience
But they can pay for enlightenment five pound for my cd this ain't no charity
Asserting the value of his music and time
Devz's got a killer vocabulary
Boasting of his vocabulary and songwriting skills
All mad at me thought they be glad for me
Confusion over why others would be angry with his success
But hating's un-holy like blasphemy
Criticism of hateful behavior
If you don't like me don't chat to me
Assertion that negative opinions are not welcome
I'm putting in the hours like a worker in the factory
Reference to his hard work and dedication to his craft
I got weights on my back like a shirt or a sweater
Metaphor for the burden of his life's challenges
I'll stick to the spitting for worse or for better
Determination to continue his music despite challenges
I'm waiting to go through the worst of the weather
Optimism in the face of future difficulties
The other side must be better
Belief in the possibility of betterment
I've been hung out to dry now I've come back to try
Reference to overcoming difficulties and returning to music
Defining the art of lyrical criminal rhymes - slap someone multiple times
Describing his musical style as edgy and intense
Now they wanna tell me that I'm the best spitter who's white
Acknowledgement of praise for his rapping skills
I'm just the best full stop
Belief in his overall talent and skill as a musician
None of them couldn't step in then stop
Claiming superiority over other rappers
If they stop then I make em walk off side it's time these haters behave
Asserting control over his critics and demanding respect
We fuck it up all over the country in a rave
Claiming influence and popularity in the music scene
Me Ghetts Slice and Lunar we all get paid
Indication of success and financial prosperity with his music network
Contributed by Levi R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TrippyDrew
2020 lockdown got me rediscovering the grime scene back when it was real grime. I forgot just how lethal devs is on the microphone.
LG
@Jamie Humphreys facts
Jamie Humphreys
13 years on and no1 can come close to devlin level
funguscordyceps
Uks slim no doubt
MIND YOU
still probably one of the best released songs by devlin imo
Rónán Flynn
'From a place where the people are dirt poor, keep an eye on the queens head that's what you'll get hurt for,you'll see violence the same as a blood and crip turf war'
Aaron formanek Gibson
Devlin needs more attention his just so 🔥 🔥 🔥
dan1610valer
68 likes and 0 dislikes. Devlin's too sick.
Va Gina
devlin is a legend his proof the u can do what ever you want to
funguscordyceps
Some say devs is the best white rapper there is, I say he’s the best lyricist to ever exist, no doubt leaving a lot a them waste man feeling pissed!!