Mississippi Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., bears his soul in his first major release "Live From The Underground".
Every so often an honest whisper echoes louder than lies. Hip Hop has experienced the truth of this as of late. Soul is again a subject of interest as artists like Big K.R.I.T. bear theirs on every outing. However, as the aforementioned rapper reveals, soul is not something preached but something confessed. Since 2010 the self-proclaimed âKing Remembered in Timeâ has released a slew of well received mixtapes. From K.R.I.T. Wuz Here to 4eva N A Day heâs consistently appeared as an adept storyteller and talented producer. So it should come as no surprise that his first major release, Live from the Underground, is solid from cover to cover.
Equipped with excellent engineering, the album is divided into stylistic sections. The title track begins it all like a bookend. Thereafter the library opens up and bangs incessantly. On tracks like âMoney on the Floorâ and âMy Sub (Pt. 2 The Jackin)â Krizzle channels the spirit of the late great Pimp C. Although itâs unquestionable that his sound is his own, his aura nevertheless honors his elder. On the first of the two tracks mentioned K.R.I.T. welcomes 8Ball, MJG, and 2Â Chainz to the project. The latter offers what is arguably his best guest sixteen this year! Then on the âMy Subâ sequel K.R.I.T. continues the tale of how his trunk keeps getting him into trouble.
Afterwards an eclectic set
of songs about women and weed begin; though it must be said that they
are not the simple-minded sort. The Anthony Hamilton assisted
âPorchlightâ is a soothing ballad about honoring the fact home is where
the heart is. Krizzle also teams up with Devin the Dude again. The two
reprise their love for Mary Jane on âHydroplaning,â a song certain to
keep the bud burning while the rain falls.
Finally the effort concludes with a set of introspective tales about life and death. Therein K.R.I.T. shows his inspiring diversity. Beginning it all with trunk music and finishing it with food for thought is something only he can do. The insight opens with âIf I Fall,â which speaks to those that have influenced him. Next up is arguably the best song on the entire album, âRich Dad, Poor Dad.â Reminiscent of 2-Pacâs âBlasphemy,â itâs about the wisdom a father relays to his son: âthe media graffiti us with relishments. Money, Cars, and clothes I suppose what successful is. They say 'sow your oats, itâs natural to experiment.' But donât suck and fuck and run amok, be celibate.â Last but not least is âPraying Man,â the recollections of three slaves when faced with death. Aided by the blues guitar of B.B. King it is a haunting canticle listeners wonât soon forget.
Then the title track is reprised, a parallel bookend
to close the libraryâs doors. Once the dust settles itâs easy to see
that soul is certainly back, and Big K.R.I.Tâs multi-dimensional honesty
echoes the fact with authority.