A squealing guitar riff and crying baby are the first things you hear on the newest release from Meridian, Mississippi based rapper Big K.R.I.T. To call K.R.I.T. a rapper however is radically understating his widely varied talents. Of the 17 tracks on the album, only one track is produced by 9th Wonder (who has also produced for Kendrick Lamar, Murs, Drake and Ludacris recently to name a few), with the rest of the production being handled by K.R.I.T. himself. King Remembered In Time, also what K.R.I.T. stands for, is the title of the sixth mixtape K.R.I.T. has recorded in addition to his studio album that was released last year and gives listeners another soul soaked record filled with lush beats and introspective rhymes from the Def Jam signed MC.
As the tape begins K.R.I.T. tells us of his blue collar upbringing in Meridian and details to us his modus operandi on his search for purpose, also the title of the track. This is followed by “Shine On,” the first single featuring Bun B and while K.R.I.T. delivers a solid verse, Bun B steals the show with a flow sounding like it came fresh off Ridin’ Dirty, the timeless UGK album. It is two tracks later that the tape truly finds its step with standout track “King Without A Crown”, recalling earlier K.R.I.T. songs with a high wailing soul sample and thumping Southern bass notes sure to vibrate speakers from Mississippi to New York. This is followed by a James Blake sampling track called “REM” which showcases the unique introspective rhymes which characterizes K.R.I.T.’s independent releases, in addition to the soulful Southern beats that serve as the primary backdrop to said rhymes. Other stand out tracks include the symphonic “WTF” where K.R.I.T. gives us a glimpse into a life where “Perhaps you got some work/I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout nine to five, more like/soak and drive, baking soda powder pies” and “Multi Till The Sun Die”, an arena rock M83 sampling close to the tape in which KRIT not only shows us why he is one of the top young MC’s in the game but also can begin to stake a legitimate claim to the title of best producer in the game as well. Elsewhere on the tape Future, Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA and Trinidad James are featured artists, each adding their own unique flair to the tape and with K.R.I.T.’s production, even the worst verses sound outstanding.
In addition to almost single-handedly revitalizing the Southern rap genre, Big KRIT shows listeners the kind of rap that they deserve, rather than what most are exposed to on a daily basis. You can stream the entire mixtape King Remembered In Time at here.
