I want to start out by saying I believe Big KRIT is one of the best artist of this current generation, and I could not wait to get my hands on this album. After the release of what I believe to be a modern day classic 4Eva is a Mighty Long Time I believe Big K.R.I.T has etched himself into the history books as a very, very talented artist from the South, the only issue I saw facing him this time around is expanding his reach to a wider audience.
"10 albums and 300 songs in" as stated by Big K.R.I.T shows that he has plenty of longevity in this game, but as the trends and sounds change, it can be very hard to stay afloat and remain true to the art you created from the start. Somehow, K.R.I.T is able to navigate the changes in the industry and not only remain true to himself, but to expand further and further into the hiphopsphere. With this latest offering I shows just how K.R.I.T. desires to begin the 2nd phase of this career as "King of the South".
That leads us to this very moment with K.R.I.T Iz Here.
This album starts out booming! If you haven't heard the lead single "K.R.I.T. Here" you are missing out on a joyous experience. It's not just an intro to who Big K.R.I.T. is in this current state of his career, but an amazing way to express the revelation of lyrics and sound that K.R.I.T. has had over the years. "K.R.I.T. Here" is explosive, festive, and truly an experience to be had.
The album is followed by a skit that lets us know what is in store for the remainder of the album, it also helps that the skit is funny. This leads into the trunk rattling "I Been Waitin" were K.R.I.T. gets to flex his muscle on how patient he has been for his time to come and how he is going to dominate while it's here. It's short, straight to the point, and K.R.I.T. sounds extremely confident.
"Make It Easy" is a gem! A great display of soul and substance we have been experiencing from K.R.I.T. over the past decade, and there are so many great lines to take away from the song there are almost too many to count.
"Undoubtedly, probably, I'm like lightning in a bottle
A country boy killing yo' favorite rapper's bound to shock you
It's funny how fakes will scorch when I swing like a Tyson punch"
The conviction in his delivery is reminiscence of "Mt. Olympus", K.R.I.T. still raps with hunger and it fits this track extremely well. Certainly one of my favorites.
The album now transitions to "Addiction" which is the second single from the album. In my opinion of you're going to talk about a sexually explicit topic, this is how to do it! The entire innuendo being hid behind the idea of diving into water is not totally obvious and vulgar, even Lil Wayne keeps the concept going besides the "finger me, finger me" bar...come one man...we knew what was going down, but we didn't need you say it. Still a great track though.
The next track, "Energy" was actually on the TDT Ep, but I'm not mad, it's an amazing song with an erie sample and enough bass to cause an earthquake. The best part about this track is there is nothing sacrificed to make this track enjoyable, the lyrics, energy, and beat all work together and aren't treated more importantly as another component.
"Obvious" is a smooth track for the ladies, and honestly might be one of the best lyrical performances by K.R.I.T. on the entire album. It may not get the most replays from me, but I'm definitely not skipping it when it comes on.
Yella Beezy has officially made it!!!! Man his voice commands so much attention on the hook of "I Made". K.R.I.T. manages to fit all the things he's "made" and what made him into two verses, and it rides!
"Everytime" is one of those songs that touches your spirit, if someone doesn't enjoy this track, it's time to reevaluate who your friends are. Baby Rose is an incredible vocalist, and the bars in this song are touching, and delivered in a smooth, yet confident fashion. Easily another favorite for me.
"Believe" is another great track, the beat is dark and hard hitting, almost reminds me of something you'd ride through Houston through blasting at night in an old school. K.R.I.T. comes out swinging with hard hitting lines like "I need a Wakanada in Mississippi, I need a plot and a plan to stay out the penitentiary". Activist K.R.I.T. is on another level lyrically, and the passion he raps with sells the idea that he is truly genuine about how he feels. If someone tells you rappers don't have much to talk about...play them this track and it will immediately change their view.
I know this is track everyone is waiting for... "Prove It" featuring J. Cole. I'm not a big fan of WOLFE DE MCHLS, but he delivers on the chorus this time around, and K.R.I.T. comes in with a somewhat somber tone on the first verse, I was almost a let down since "Believe" was so intense, but the second verse...YES!!! Then there was J. Cole... let's just say this now...he's killed EVERY SINGLE FEATURE in the past two years, and he didn't disappoint here. Talking about the discovery of Big K.R.I.T.'s music and also shouting out his first fan. It's all around a great feature, and it seems like Cole did it all in one breath...Jeez! This isn't anywhere near the best song on the album, but it's pretty enjoyable.
"Family Matters" is a song that fits the title perfectly, and I really like the chorus to this track as well. I really enjoy the values that Big K.R.I.T. carries dear to his heart, and you can definitely hear it here.
"Blue Flame Ballet" is a song for the strippers without the stripper sound, it's more about the appreciation for a "working woman" and her skills. It has an old school OutKast sound to it, and it is really enjoyable. The storytelling almost puts you into the strip club with the center stage moving in slow motion.
"Learned From Texas" is another track that was on the TDT EP, and it was one of my favorite songs of 2018, but I didn't need it on the album, but it will be appreciated by Texas natives who haven't heard the track yet. It has Dallas and Houston influence all over it, and I love it.
"Outer Space" is another trunk banger, and that's exactly what it's made for. The metaphor of his ride being a spaceship and desire to go further is great. It's getting plenty of plays in my ride...if my speakers can handle it.
Here is my first complaint about the album...remember how I said I wasn't a big fan of WOLFE DE MCHLS? Well the hook to "High Beams" is exactly why. For some reason the engineering makes him almost inaudible, it nearly sounds like he is drowning and singing at the same time. Which is terrible because overall the sound is really enjoyable, Big K.R.I.T. delivers a tracks that sounds like a combination of Kanye's "Streetlights" and some vocals you'd hear on The Love Below. Sadly the chorus keeps this from being my favorite track overall.
"Life in the Sun" sounds like a continuation of "Saturday" from K.R.I.T's Cadillactica album, and man is it good. K.R.I.T. raps about the struggles that black men face and how there is still hope no matter the plight. The song sounds like your racing towards freedom, and keeps you engaged with an excellent hook from Camper (maybe my favorite feature on the album).
Here we are...at the very end of the album with the closing track "M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I." which sounds like a Idlewild juke joint track. The mix of jazz, blues, and hip hop in the production is so smooth, and fun. K.R.I.T. provides a mixture of spoken word and rap at the same time, giving you the low down on the state that made him and his family and the influence they provide. Very solid closure.
In conclusion, K.R.I.T. Iz Here is a wonderful addition to the consistent and impressive discography to the new King of the South. This album is a great display of everything the south has to offer musically, and it's one enjoyable ride. The album is not perfect, but it gets very close with various high points that make you dance, think, and sometimes laugh. There is something here for everyone, and makes me even more excited for the next step in Big K.R.I.T.'s musical career.
Beats: 9
Lyrics: 8
Originality: 8
Concept: 8
Lyrics: 8
Originality: 8
Concept: 8
Overall: 8.25
Favorite Tracks:
"K.R.I.T. Here"
"Make It Easy"
"Everytime"
"Believe"
"Life in the Sun"
"Energy"
Least Favorite Tracks:
The hook to "High Beams"
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