Big K.R.I.T. & J. Cole Prove Substance Is What Truly Makes MCs Great (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back and listen to all of our favorites, at the click of a button, there is also a ton of great music still being made by artists, young and veteran alike…if you know where to look. To help with that task, we’ve created a playlists with recent music—songs that have been released within the last year or so. We update it regularly, so, if you like what you hear, subscribe to follow us on Spotify.

Big K.R.I.T. just-released his fourth album, K.R.I.T. IZ HERE. In its title and theme, the Multi Alumni release calls back to Krizzle’s roots. As this decade winds down, it marks one of slow, consistent climbing through powerful lyrics, captivating production, and heavy representation for Rap’s third coast. The Meridian, Mississippi product honors the 2010 mixtape that put him (and his hometown) on the map for many, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (hosted by DJ Wally Sparks and DJ Folk).

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A highlight within K.R.I.T. IZ HERE is “Prove It,” featuring J. Cole. Although Cole had caught the ear of JAY-Z and signed with Roc Nation ahead of K.R.I.T.’s ’10 tape, both of these artists have chosen quality over chasing fame, and building everlasting careers on their terms above cut-and-dry industry maneuvers. With its melodic chorus, the song is one about passion and times to show-and-prove. K.R.I.T. offers his sermon from the mount, asking fans to believe in him even after he’s gone, reminding them that they have great strength. He gives hard truth, and says, “I know you want to be the bigger person / If all they want to do is hurt you, show ’em how the trigger workin’.” In the third verse, Cole honors his collaborator. “Big K.R.I.T., man, I feel your sh*t / I been feelin’ your sh*t since Fel-ton put me on / I put him onto Dot, he put me onto K.R.I.T. Wuz Here / Since then, nine years have gone / I wrote more songs than a man can count / Trying to figure out / How to put ’em out / Without watering down my brand / I wanna know, don’t want my jams / Don’t wanna become somethin’ don’t nobody wanna hear.” With bursts of words to fit the flow, K.R.I.T. continues his mantra about making enduring music, and then shouts out a special day-one supporter by name.

Notably, K.R.I.T., Cole, and Kendrick Lamar appeared together on DJ Khaled’s 2012 knighting, “They Ready.” All three artists have separated themselves from the pack—and truly were doing so well before the Cash Money Records track. Last Friday, Cole and his cohorts released Dreamville’s Revenge Of The Dreamers III. K.R.I.T. participated in the extensive 10-day recording sessions in Georgia this January. He also appeared in the corresponding documentary. It is unclear if the Wolfe De Mchls-produced “Prove It” is a song that emerged from those heralded sessions.

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K.R.I.T. IZ HERE also involves Lil Wayne, Rico Love, and Saweetie, among others.

In addition to new music from K.R.I.T. and Cole, the official AFH playlist includes songs from Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Duckwrth, Joyner Lucas, Anderson .Paak & André 3000, Billy Danze, Tobe Nwigwe, Aaron May, 2 Chainz, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Casey Veggies, Westside Gunn, Boogie, Erick Sermon, Eminem, Pharoahe Monch, Denzel Curry, GoldLink, Benny The Butcher, Lute, Atmosphere, Masta Ace & Marco Polo, Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz, Drake, Omen, AZ, Wu-Tang Clan, Evidence, and others.

In 2010, Big K.R.I.T. Updated A Souls Of Mischief Classic For A New Day (Video)

AFH TV has multiple interviews with Big K.R.I.T., including episodes of Grit and Where It All Began. We are currently offering free 30-day subscriptions.