Hip Hop from Dirty Dev & PHILY

Dirty Dev and PHILY have teamed up once again to bring us their latest single “Rumpus Room”. The song is a part of their new EP Dirty Dev and Phil’s Inevitable Return to the Bullshit and marks the first release from Dirty Dev in four years. The track is a commentary on returning to the music scene after the pandemic and seeing things in a new light. The duo’s cynical approach to the music industry is apparent in the gritty, droning sound of the song.

Dirty Dev, an underground Hip Hop staple in Edmonton’s music scene, and PHILY, a DJ and videographer, first met at a party in 2017 and have been making music together ever since. The duo released their first and only project, Antimasque, in 2019 and have been working on a collection of unreleased and “very weird” songs ever since.

“Rumpus Room” lays down a beat-driven alternative hip hop sound with pounding percussion and kaleidoscopic instrumentation. The vocal flows are laid back and gritty, perfectly complementing the track’s lyricism. The song is a commentary on the music scene and the people in it, which sees the artists reflect on the fact that some people have blown up, some are working 9-5 jobs, and some have fallen victim to drug addiction. However, the one thing that never changes is how seriously everyone takes themselves.

The song’s sound is reminiscent of a night out at a local venue, with a punchy beat and slick vocals reflecting the cynicism that often pervades in the music industry. The instrumentation is a blend of ambient and dance music, drawing on PHILY’s background in making instrumental in those styles.

Dirty Dev and PHILY are heavily involved in Edmonton’s arts and music scene, and their involvement with the Absurd Collective has helped raise thousands of dollars for various causes. Dirty Dev, in particular, is a writer and graphic artist, having worked professionally in both capacities. He has received the Postcolonial Literature and Culture prize from the University of Alberta and has worked with several Canadian publications.

“Rumpus Room” is an engaging and original track that reflects on the state of the music scene and the people in it. Dirty Dev and PHILY’s alternative hip hop sound is a blend of pounding percussion, piquant instrumentation and laid-back vocal flows, making it a must-listen for anyone who wants to hear a fresh take on modern hip hop music. Overall, “Rumpus Room” is an excellent addition to Dirty Dev’s discography and a fantastic introduction to his music for new listeners.

Listen to Rumpus Room below