Released right alongside his Razor & Tie album
Landing Gear, Hi Life is
Devin the Dude’s former label Rap-A-Lot cobbling together a decent set of outtakes and creating a collection that should satisfy hardcore fans. The production is uneventful and the whole thing just barely hangs together, but the sly stoner
Devin is in fine form, getting through the workweek his way on the great “Comin’ Back” (“I got skills in smokin’ kill/And drinkin’ beer all day”) and taking on the weekend in a similar fashion during “17 Holes” (“C’mon ride and smoke with me/We can listen to some
Jodeci”). Fans won’t mind the rough cuts and some seemingly unfinished business, but buyers who only grab one
Devin album per year will be better served by the outstanding
Landing Gear. ~ David Jeffries