Devin The Dude

Whether Devin's primary influence is kitsch or Kush is a question, but this mix-tape proves that the H-Town emcee makes some of the most hilarious, compelling and esoteric music in all of hip-hop. With its fuzzy guitar licks, screamed choruses and themes of interplanetary travel, "Searching" is 1970s stoner psych rock. Elsewhere, he reimagines "Lay Your Head on My Pillow" as "Lay Your Head on My Dildo." It's easy to dismiss all this as insane and obscene garage musings (an Our Lady of the Flowers for the hip-hop set), but Devin's off-key warble and laconic flow are undeniably affecting.