Oklahoma City, OK – "We started making the film the first time I met Devin, I guess." Explains Drew Hooper director/cameraman/editor, "I was at a show here in Oklahoma City where he was performing using my friends' camera to shoot, and he told me he wanted to make a documentary. Dev's one of my favorite artists, and it's like a dream come true that he would ask me to help."
Since that initial day of production last September, Drew has followed "The Dude" across the country visiting Seattle, Cleveland, Columbus, Austin, Houston, Dallas, New York City and Tulsa with future dates scheduled. Also while on the road appearances where made in the film by Mike Jones, Erika Badu, Spice 1, Ace Deuce, Capone (CNN), Odd Squad, Erica Marlon, and Joey Greco (Cheaters).
Devin the Dude, who recently released his third album "To Tha Xtreme," has been known nationwide for making classic hip-hop records. So much so, that he was able to draw the attention of hip-hop moguls Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, The Roots, Lil' Jon, Scarface, UGK, Raphael Sadiiq, Nas, Xzbit and De La Soul ( to name a few), for album collaborations. Although Devin remains critically acclaimed, he has yet to experience the same record sales one might think his success would accompany.
The film looks to be very unique to the "hip-hop movie" genre spending most of it's time in the subject's element, and is less reliant on sit down style interviews. "I didn't want to show people stuff that they already knew, for the most part. I wanted to show people what Devin is really like. So that we might understand the things we know, better."
Drew also has a contest currently being held where fans can become part of the film by submitting home videos of themselves explaining in their own words, "Who is Devin the Dude." "Being a fan of your subject in a documentary is really a plus I've come to find. I guess from that prospective I can show people more than they expected to find when they watch the movie." -Drew "The View" Hooper
"Who is Devin the Dude," is still in production and seeks distribution. www.restless-natives.com
drew@restless-natives.com
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