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The journey of an individual into becoming a success story is one of the most motivational topics in society. Most people truly enjoy a story ot someone rising up from their circumstances and overcoming doubters, shortcomings, loss, heartbreak and any other plights in life in order to have it all pay off. The grind is always a popular topic because almost anyone can relate to being doubted or having an obstacle keep them from prosperity.
However, if one were to poll a large number of notably successful people, it might be surprising to see how many say that the journey hasn’t been the hardest part. Many would say that maintaining that success at a consistent level would be the most difficult part; that it’s one thing to perform and produce when nobody is expecting much from you, but a completely different challenge to deliver when it’s expected. This is especially true in music, specifically hip-hop. The most respected MC’s are those who have stayed relevant and active during their era, and even during others soon after. Commercial success, support from fans and critics alike and acknowledment from peers comes with having a career that spans longer than just a couple of project and a radio hit or two. It’s the artists with that evolve and grow with their music and the their fan base that reach legendary status, that and being able to rap extremely well, which is most important.
For the past decade, Mississippi MC Big K.R.I.T. (King Remebered In Time) has been a model of consistency in the world hip-hop and has been widely considered one of the formidable rappers in the game today as a result. Respected for his unique blend of conscious-based subject matter, southern influence and use of bass heavy production, he gives the feel of an old school aesthetic despite having a modern style. That has made him a favorite for different types of hip-hop fans. Stemming back from his famed debut mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here back in 2010, he has rarely mistepped in his career progression and has elevated an artist seemingly year by year. His radio single Country Sh*t featuring Ludacris gave KRIT his first legitimate hit song and made him a household name early in his career. His 4 Eva N A Day mixtape is one of the most respected gems of the datpiff.com era. His sophomore album Cadillactica was considered or the best rap albums of 2015, highlighted by one of KRIT’s best tracks to date in Mt. Olympus.
But for the 30 year old MC, the crowning moment of his career so far could be found in his 2017 album release 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. The two disc project split the mind of the extremely talented rapper and showed the range of his versatility. The brashness arrogance of the Big K.R.I.T. perfectly contrasted the smooth introspection of the Justin Scott disc in order to make one of the most thorough andmultilayered albums of the past few years. KRIT even scored a radio single with the Juvenile-inspired 1999, an easygoing, mellow track that put a more sensual spin on it’s predecessor. An assist from R&B Star Lloyd sealed it as one of the best songs on the album. The project was his most critically acclaimed effort to date, and brought the 32 year old MC firmly into mainstream status, which had been long overdue. But with being an official household name, highly touted mixtapes and albums, hit records under his belt and recognition as one of the best MC’s in hip-hop, KRIT owes his fan base nothing more than the consistency and effort that has become second nature throughout his career. And with that, he has the trust of his fans to deliver no matter what sound or lame he chooses to pursue.
On July 12th, 2019, Big K.R.I.T. releases his fourth studio album, K.R.I.T. IZ HERE under his Multi Alumni label. 9 years removed from the debut mixtape that put him on the map, the album’s title and tone gives off a feeling of self-awareness, celebration, validation and supreme confidence from a near decade of consistent, quality music; a feat that many MC’s cannot honestly say they’ve accomplished in their careers. In that same spirit, the fourth LP carries a much bolder sound than his previous efforts, in addition to a clear incorporation of the trap sound that has dominated rap music for the past several years. But unlike many of his peers, KRIT’s lyrical ability is the highlight ot his records, not just just his hooks or production.
The album’s intro track and first single K.R.I.T. HERE, is a triumphant victory lap, as the rap veteran joyfully chants and rhymes about his journey to not only a successful career in music, but a successful journey from his humble beginnings. With horns and choir vocals comprising the beat, he proudly proclaims that this is simply the beginning, and that he’s here to stay in the rap game. That confident tone transfers over to the next couple of tracks of the album. The trap influenced I Been Waitin plays true to its title, with KRIT finally taking the time to brag about what his hard work has brought him. Not one to usually be materialistic, he flexes a bit and let’s everyone knows that he’s doing quite well for himself. The follow up track Make It Easy carries the same confidence, but dressed in a completely different style. With a sample featuring a soulful chant of the title, the production sets the tone for one of KRIT’s best tracks to date. He rhymes about taking his rightful spot among hip-hop’s elite and not being timid in demanding his respect for the foundation he’s built his career on. For all of his high quality tracks, this ranks near the top, and that speaks volumes.
Over the years, Big K.R.I.T. has always succeeded in having quality features on his projects, never having his records stand out at the expense of the feature. It always feels as he met with the other artists personally and wrote the songs together. He naturally blends in with the odd but effective pairing of rap legend Lil Wayne and one of the most popular new female artists in Saweetie for the radio single Addiction. One of the most creative songs about sex that you’ll ever hear, the trio mesh together for one or the catchiest tracks or the summer. KRIT and Wayne deliver clever, inneuduo-filled verses that only two veterans could pull off while Saweeties’s seductive voice perfectly sets the chorus off. The Yella Beezy-assisted I Made It gets straight to the point as KRIT scoffs at anyone hating on his success and proclaims that it the music isn’t great, he didn’t make it, further showing that supreme confidence that can be felt throughout it album. In perhaps the biggest collaboration of the project, KRIT matches verses with hip-hop superstar J. Cole for the sobering and mellow Prove It. Covering everything from mourning, trust, faith and loyalty, the duo simply rap honest feelings, highlighted by J. Cole’s emotional shoutout to one of his biggest fans. It’s a track that peels back the bravado of the typical rapper and shows them in their most vulnerable state.
For all of those moments provided by the notable features on the album, KRIT provides plenty of highlights off of his own strength. He preaches positivity and togetherness on the bouncy and upbeat Energy, pays homage to southern rap legends in the “chopped & screwed” era track Learned From Texas, and shares all of his success to his loved ones in Family Matters. In maybe the most introspective track or the project, he sees his life unopposed to competition in the calming and assuring track Everytime. KRIT even manages to stay true to his southern hip-hop roots with Blue Flame Ballet, a slow-tempoed dedication to a stripper whose talents are out of this world. Every track manages to have its own direction, sound and mood that keeps the album personal and entertaining. He closes the album out with the fitting M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I., a dedication to his home state. A perfect blend of country and jazz instrumentation beautifully sets the scene as KRIT honors his family that molded him into the man he is today. Painting a vivid picture of his background, he expresses humility and gratitude in his journey and dedicates the success to those who believed in him, all while delivering that signature flow that has kept him never failed him. It’s an appropriate ending to his most personal album to date.
A decade long career in hip-hop is impressive regardless of the artist and their jorurney there. It’s a genre where one false move can make you an afterthought, and have the latest artist ready to take your spot. For Big K.R.I.T., his spot in hip-hop is solidified, and has been for quite some time now. He has no poor projects and has always put his best foot forward as an ambassador for the genre and one of the most respected MC’s among his peers. But most of all, he’s one of the best rappers of the past decade and K.R.I.T. IZ HERE is simply further validation of that title. Only can only hope that hip-hop takes the time to show proper appreciation for one of its most talented and consistent artists in recent memory.
Top 5 Songs:
1. Make It Easy
2. Everytime
3. Energy
4. Blue Flame Ballet
5. Addiction