Wont be long, but I will tell you this, the new KRIT album is banging. From the buzz across social media, I don’t think that this is news to any one. I remember when I first heard Big Krit in 2010 with his mixtape Krit WUZ Here I was blown. To being my country brethren, to those guitar licks on that tape I was sold. To this day, that mixtape is in my top ten favorite mixtape. People feel KRIT, but individuals don’t feel KRIT like us 80s baby country boys.
I would remember anticipating a new mixtape every year. 4Eva and A Day cover art was just as as awesome as the tracks. I still need this as a canvas for my house today. I would remember listening to Me and My Old School day dreaming about an 87 Monte Carlo SS or 96 Impala SS cruising under blue skies and pine trees in the country. It felt like someone was speaking to the forgotten about Black Country Boy demographic.
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Live from the Underground and Cadillactica were dope studio albums in their own right, but they didn’t give me the same vibe as the mixtapes. You could tell that there were outside influences attributing to the loss of that organic country rap tunes sound. One could still feel the homage to the old school southern hip hop, but it was different in my opinion.
I remember when the 12 for 12 project dropped, I could tell that the old KRIT was back. So, when I heard a few weeks ago that KRIT was dropping a double album minus the label I pre-ordered.
Here enters 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. Just to start it off my favorite tracks from the album include; Subenstein, 1999, Mixed Messages, Price of Fame, and Higher Calling. With that being said, this album is grooving from front to back. Features, included Lloyd, T.I., Jill Scott, UGK, CeeLo Green, and Sleepy Brown just to name some of the main ones. Below, I’ll size up a few of my favorite tracks.
1999 pays homage to Juvenile’s classic Back That Ass up, while having smooth vocals from Lloyd over a Mannie Fresh track. Simple as that.
Subenstein is a classic for all us with systems that are capable of knocking pictures off the wall. The addition of the Mannie Fresh adlibs at the end of the track is a nice touch. Beating down the block with a couple of 15’s or 12’s was a common occurrence when I was growing up and in college. To this day, I still have a sub in my truck. I attribute some of my hearing loss to it lol.
Higher Calling featuring Jill Scott which talks about the loving someone in a relationship and creating life with them. KRIT explores creating a life with someone and in his term “blending” to create something beautiful. With lyrics such as;
Stomach bigger, skin is glowing
Girl, I love your figure
This is simple
This is real, something to remember
Had to hit ya, so we could blend
and…
This is perfect, I got water
We could plant a seed and grow it
Won’t nobody know it til’ you showin’
For anyone with a yearning to pro-create on this planet and continue through with a lineage and legacy this song will hit home. I truly believe that the process of finding someone who is special enough to want that with is a beautiful thing with in itself and this song illustrates that.
Price of Fame is a dope track and speaks about the things that come along with success. In KRIT’s lyrics, you hear how he struggled with depression and anxiety throughout his fame. A lot of people from the outside looking in can think that everything in life is peaches and cream via social media and other windows. But, people will never know in full the struggles and strifes that come along with success. Most people only see the high moment or the finished product. One of truest lyrics that spoke to me in this song–“Lord forbid I let my blood down, the first time I say no, guess we ain’t blood now”
Also, the fact that he incorporated live instruments into some of his productions was a plus, especially to an old school band member. I’ve always appreciated live instruments in hip hop and wish there was more it in today’s society. Check out the track Drinking Sessions ft. jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold who was someone new to me, but as a former trumpeter in the LHS band was dope to me.
To wrap this up, if you’ve haven’t streamed this album or purchased it you’re missing out. Give it a listen and support good music.
The Black Smokey Bear 