Big K.R.I.T. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time [Album Review]

Big K.R.I.T.
4eva Is a Mighty Long Time (released October 27, 2017)

Big KRIT is tired of being one of rap’s most underrated artist. Back in the early 2010’s, Big K.R.I.T. was on a short list of MCs to hold the flag for rap’s Millennial generation. Alongside him were Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake. With albums such as Return of 4Eva, Live from the Underground, King Remembered In Time, and Cadillactica, he hasn’t reached the level of success and impact that has been enjoyed by Kendrick, J. Cole and Drake. However, the frustration that comes with being immensely talented and overlooked fuels 4eva Is Mighty Long Time, the well-crafted, sonically-rich, “trunk-knocking” double album. After a two year a hiatus, K.R.I.T. releases his third studio album.

The key pillars to creating an outstanding double album are maintaining a good balance of variation between the two albums, bright guest spots, and a statement of the artist. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time contains all three, most importantly an undeniable declaration of K.R.I.T. as a force to be reckoned with in Hip Hop and one of the greats of his generation. The project is divided into two LPs, one themed “Big K.R.I.T.” and the other “Justin Scott.”

Disc one, “Big K.R.I.T.,” should be labeled The Rapper Disc. The opening track, simply entitled, “Big K.R.I.T.” launches into the frustrations that come from being one of rap’s best talents born south of the Mason-Dixon:

Look how they hate me, but copy me
Possibly, I was the one with components and properties
To be the greatest of all time, but you won geography lottery so
I keep kicking, flipping tables, chosen and favored
F*** being major when giant is greater

It’s a no wonder why he decided to walk away from a major-label deal to do things his way. The album marks K.R.I.T.’s first independent release under his Multi Alumni label, following his departure from Def Jam in July of 2016. With features from artists such as T.I., Bun B, Cee-Lo Green, Sleepy Brown, Lloyd, and even productions from the legendary, Mannie Fresh, the message of this disc is clear – if y’all won’t celebrate Southern rap, K.R.I.T. will have to do it himself.

The second disc, “Justin Scott,” the Introspective Side of K.R.I.T. is a deeper dive into his psyche. It gives us a clearer look at Justin Scott, the man. The “Justin Scott” side features more elegant music fit for his forward-thinking mind. It highlights Justin Scott and Big K.R.I.T. in their truest essence; spiritual, witty, and loyal to the South, with overly soulful, southern production. “Keep the Devil Off” is like a Mississippi revival, with K.R.I.T. visibly trying to shake the demons that bind him. He’s gripped by guilt on “Miss Georgia Fornia,” metaphorically apologizing for branching away from his Southern roots in his search for stardom. Disc two also features hits from names like Jill Scott, Keyon Harrold, Bilal, Robert Glasper Jr., Kenneth Whalum and Burniss Earl Travis II.

It’s huge, ambitious, and easily one of the best albums of 2017.

As great as this album is, it’s likely that once again this phenomenal effort will go unnoticed by rap fans distracted by an assembly line of mumble rappers. If you keep sleeping on K.R.I.T., it’ll just keep fueling his fire to become even greater. Hip-hop is reaping the benefits.

“The South got something to say.”
-Andre 3000

Written By: Quincy

album review big krit hip hop music