Devino Fortunato

Emerging from the Oakland region, rapper Devino Fortunato made his entrance in 2002 via the release Cognac Loungin', issued through the fledgling Bay Area imprint Real Smooth. His daytime responsibilities as an EMT occupied much of his schedule, yet evenings drew him into the G-funk realm encompassing liquor, cars, women, and hustling. That latter element shaped the themes of his first record, a self-released project whose polished West Coast production stood out alongside Fortunato's brash, confident delivery that occasionally echoed 2Pac's straightforward candor. Following this impressive introduction, he joined Xeno and Tazz, fellow artists on the Real Smooth roster, for multiple label-sponsored gatherings.