Mississippi Emcee Big K.R.I.T Returns with His New 19-Track Album, “K.R.I.T IZ HERE”

The Mississippi M.C. Returns With 19 Tracks 

By Carter Fife

Last week, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T released K.R.I.T Iz Here, his newest album since 2017’s 4Eva Is A Mighty Long Time, which was independently released off his own label Multi Alumni. The title serves as a reference to his 2010 mixtape K.R.I.T Wuz Here, reminding listeners that despite his relatively underground following, he still remains an important figure in hip-hop today. Over the past year, K.R.I.T has released various EP’s and singles that led many to begin anticipating a new album, and fan’s hopes came true in June when K.R.I.T took to Instagram to announce his newest album coming the next month. 

K.R.I.T is very rarely given the attention he deserves, but following the release of 4Eva Is A Mighty Long Time, many music publications praised the album’s unique synthesis of jazz, soul, gospel and hip-hop, in addition to its masterful use of electronic elements and storytelling. The album remains a hidden gem of 2017, full of harmonious and melodic soul-trap songs that do well to show how far K.R.I.T (né Justin Scott) has come. Gone are the days of gracing the cover of 2011’s XXL class alongside artists like Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, and Meek Mill; Today K.R.I.T exists as his own artist. Many hip-hop fans (myself included) have been keeping K.R.I.T’s 2017 effort in rotation all these months later, and K.R.I.T Iz Here finally arriving is sure to add some new tracks into the mix.

4eva Is A Mighty Long Time, an album by Big K.R.I.T. on Spotify

K.R.I.T Iz Here sits at just under an hour long, and although it isn’t a double-album like Scott’s 2017 record, the album boasts 19 mostly-new tracks. Though songs like “Energy” and “Learned From Texas” were released over the past year, both appear on the album in addition to the record’s two leading singles “Addiction” featuring Lil Wayne and Saweetie, and “K.R.I.T Here”. Altogether K.R.I.T Iz Here’s 19 tracks carry a significant departure away from Scott’s 2017 sound. K.R.I.T Iz Here strays slightly away from the gospel and trap inspired tracks, instead favoring an aural register that aligns much more closely with triumph, victory, and nostalgia. The single “K.R.I.T Here” leads the album in a victorious flurry of soul samples, horns and percussion where he makes the user fully aware of the present: K.R.I.T is here right now. His lyrics simultaneously respect the past and his journey while looking forward in an optimistic and energetic performance. 

Scott acknowledges the wait that he has experienced in the music industry on the next two tracks, and on “I Been Waitin” K.R.I.T reaps the benefits of his patience. Obscure string instrument samples and trap percussion dominate this track where K.R.I.T details how he had “..been waiting just to talk that shit”. Scott’s journey and wait in the music industry in many ways mirrors his fan’s waiting for new content, and now that K.R.I.T has arrived, it makes sense that both parties are happy. Feelings of overjoyed euphoria are seen in the next track “Make It Easy” where an old Burt Bacharach string and chorus sample softly sways in the background while K.R.I.T reflects on his life over a punchy drum track.

The following song “Addiction” is a notable moment on the album where we receive performances from Saweetie and Lil Wayne. Sweetie seductively says “Dive in, this shit feel like water” on the chorus, and K.R.I.T and Wayne both rap about the affordances of fame and money. There is a dualism in the song’s theme as addictive things like fame and substances come with both their moments of victory and loss. The track features some ominous vocals in the background with a drum track and an infectiously bouncy bass-line. “Energy” and “Obvious” featuring Rico Love are where we see the album take a more tender turn inwards. Now that K.R.I.T is on top socially and economically, his pursuits exist largely within the romantic realm, and both songs are catchy and unique to the point where they resonate with the listener well without being too shallow or basic. 

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There are many moments on this album that stand out, but unfortunately the tail-end of the album fails to stay consistent with the first half. Though tracks like “Prove It” featuring J. Cole contain thought provoking bars that both offer external views of the life that both K.R.I.T and Cole live, while also containing elements of introspection, the album fails to consistently provide beats or instrumentals that pair well with K.R.I.T’s rapping abilities. “High Beams” doesn’t really even sound like Big K.R.I.T song, as the guitar that plagues the track is more frequently perceived as annoying and distracting than beneficial to the track. “Life In The Sun” sounds like it should be on the tail end of a Zacari or Tory Lanez album, and K.R.I.T’s rapping is wasted on such a bland piano-stricken beat. 

It is because of these tracks that is so bizarre to hear tracks like “Blue Flame Ballet”, “Outer Space”, or “M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I”  placed in-between them. ‘Blue Flame Ballet’ carries a Thundercat-level amount of infectious and dense funk, “Outer Space” carries a unique Rhodes-esque piano track with really intense drums that could have made this a cut off of Cadillactica, and the record’s closing track ‘M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I’ is an introspective anthem into K.R.I.T’s inner monologue, where the listener can hear clear and apparent influences of Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Andre 3000, and UGK. These tracks are high-caliber, exactly what one would expect from a rapper like K.R.I.T, but it is hard to enjoy them when they are sandwiched in-between tracks that frankly sound unfinished.

With that being said, it is worth noting that despite this hiccup, the album still stands just as solid as any other album in the K.R.I.T discography. Once again Scott has been able to stick to his skillset while also venturing out into new themes, ideas, and sounds. While 2017’s emotional register and aural theme felt much more fleshed out and unique, K.R.I.T Iz Here has a little bit of something for everyone even if you’re not a fan of triumphant and energetic tracks that are laden with soul samples and trap drums. Hopefully this will be the album that pushes K.R.I.T into receiving the mainstream attention he’s deserved since 2010.

Favorite Tracks

Addiction (Feat. Lil Wayne & Saweetie)

Blue Flame Ballet

M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I

Rating 7

Listen to K.R.I.T IZ HERE below:

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Songs of the Week: June 9th

By Spencer Lobdell

Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“Açaí Bowl” by Dominic Fike

Açaí Bowl, a song by Dominic Fike on Spotify

Ultra-talented singer/rapper Dominic Fike blessed us this week with the release of the absolutely beautiful ballad that is “Açaí Bowl”. In three minutes the Florida artist perfectly captures modern love and showcases his innate knack for impactful melodies. This song is immensely powerful and shows exactly how to tastefully execute a love song in our current musical climate. After listening to this song it’s hard to not get Frank Ocean Blonde vibes and even harder to not be insanely excited for new music from Dominic Fike.

“And when they locked me up, she never listened to her friend, they told her “move on” movin’ on
And now she tells that same bitch ‘’My shoes Prada, my boo bought ‘em, I do love him’’
You know them bitches mad as fuck
I let my smile show ‘til these bitches had enough”

— Dominic Fike "Açaí Bowl"

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“Out Tha Mud” by Roddy Ricch

Out Tha Mud, a song by Roddy Ricch on Spotify

Mr. LA (AKA Roddy Ricch) cannot miss. The past year has been hit after hit for the young rapper and “Out Tha Mud” is the next installment in the series we have all been unconditionally enamored with for the past year. Roddy’s unique flows sharply slice through the menacing, flute-driven, June James instrumental. The accompanying video gives the cut an even darker personality as it showcases Roddy and his friends hanging out at a mansion flexing their impressive arsenal. At this point, every song the SoCal rapper releases is a must listen.

“Hey, gang slide, gang slide, that’s what I was doing last year
A lot of people say I’m being humble, nigga, this the last year
Got so many bands, I’m the cashier, hey
A nigga retired the hats, bitch I can’t do no cappin’ here”

— Roddy Ricch "Out Tha Mud"

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“K.R.I.T HERE” by Big K.R.I.T

K.R.I.T. HERE, a song by Big K.R.I.T. on Spotify

Big K.R.I.T is back after his critically acclaimed independent album 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time with some new southern heat. On “K.R.I.T HERE” the Mississippi rapper revisits his record deal with Def Jam and how happy he is to now be independently making the music he loves. The song is so fun and the pitched up DJ Camper instrumental just adds to the party. The song reminds me of “Big Bank”, the third cut off 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. If this correlation suggests that K.R.I.T’s new album is reminiscent of his 2017 release then I couldn’t be more excited.

“Drop me off at the top, got that key with no lock
Play for the team that I own, ain’t no takin’ my spot”

— Big K.R.I.T "K.R.I.T HERE"

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Throwback Song of the Week:

“SOMETHING NEW” by Juice WRLD

Come&Go

Due to the insane success of Goodbye & Good Riddance and the near overnight sensation that was “Lucid Dreams” most of Juice WRLD’s earlier music has been widely overlooked and forgotten. This contains an abundance of SoundCloud cuts which all show so clearly why we fell in love with the heartbroken Chicago artist. “SOMETHING NEW” might be the best Juice WRLD song you won’t find on streaming services in large part to the rattling hook which showcases a young Juice flexing on his surplus of girls with his drop-top whip. If you like Juice WRLD, you need to know this song.

“Money come and go
Bitches come and go too
She was getting old
Have to cop something new
First I’ll drop my hoe, then i drop my sunroof
Then I throw my dough up, because I want to”

— Juice WRLD "SOMETHING NEW"

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Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:

Big K.R.I.T Provides us with a Southern Counter Narrative to Atlanta Trap on his Newest Album “TDT”

By Spencer Lobdell

Southern rap purist Big K.R.I.T never disappoints when it comes to bars. His flows are unique and his rhymes creative and profound and while he has every bit of respect in the industry, it has been difficult for K.R.I.T to make a name for himself in the mainstream. In 2017 he released the excellent double album 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. It was critically acclaimed but a 90 minute run time seemed to deter casual listeners from tapping in. He is back at it with a new approach at the beginning of 2019.  His newest album TDT was trimmed of any access and all released over a month long EP rollout concluding with the compiled 8-track album this week. While I was disappointed there was no actual new music on this tape, it is compiled in a tasteful way giving the album a new gist even if you’ve heard all these songs individually.

Like many projects in 2018, The 25-minute TDT successfully trades quantity for quality and sounds very polished and cohesive due to a shorter run time. The shorter run time was a genius idea for someone like Big K.R.I.T who might not have the freshest voice in hip-hop but is still making very listen-worthy music. The album opens hot with excellent energy (no pun intended). The captivating intro “Energy” serves as an excellent hook and “Learned From Texas” is a fun catchy follow-up and potentially the best song on the album. After “Pick Yourself Up” the project falls off a tiny bit but ends just as strong as it started with the gritty southern “4 Tha Three.” On his newest project, TDT, Big K.R.I.T didn’t take any risks, making it hard for him to achieve anything exceptional. With that being said, K.R.I.T knows what he does well and he executes it precisely. TDT is polished, clean, and packed with meaning. While it won’t be talked about as a top album of the year, Big K.R.I.T delivers again with a very solid album that should get moderate playtime through the first quarter of 2019.

Best Songs:

Energy

Learned From Texas

4 Tha Three

Rating: 7

Stream the entire project here:

TDT, an album by Big K.R.I.T. on Spotify

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