big k.r.i.t. Archives

The Symphony 2016 Was Just 1 Of The Truly Amazing Performances & Videos Of The Year

2016 has been a unique year. With it, Hip-Hop had a lot to say, visually. Poets new and old, independent and well-heeled, used their art to promote awareness, suggest change, and when appropriate, provide distraction. At a time when the music video largely lives online, artists made statements—about themselves, their... Read more

December 12, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Breaks Down His Most Important Verse & Explains Why We Might Not Be OK (Video)

"Might Not Be O.K." was not a Big K.R.I.T. single, but it's arguably one of the most important songs of his career. On it, he delivers a potent spoken-word-esque verse about police brutality, and the pain in his voice is palpable. Furthermore, he performed it at this year's BET Hip... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Tells Def Jam KRITWuzHere & Then Makes One Triumphant Exit (Audio)

In what is shaping up to be more proof that, sometimes, working independently can do wonders for one's artistic expression, Big K.R.I.T. has just released a new single fittingly titled "Free Agent." It's just the latest in a string of powerful moves from the MC and producer, who this summer... Read more

October 13, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Details Being Moved To Tears For His BET Performance (Video)

Last week, Big K.R.I.T. seemingly delivered the musical performance of his career to date. During the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Mississippi MC/producer performed a remix to Kenneth Whalum's "Might Not Be OK" dressed as an officer of the law. In addition to the highly evocative lyrics, Krizzle's delivery... Read more

October 13, 2016 Video

T.I.’s New EP Is His Most Political Work Yet. It’s Us Or Else (Audio)

With the release of "Warzone," T.I. shared with the world his most powerful video to date. By visualizing an America in which innocent victims of police shootings are White and the officers Black, the multi-platinum rapper made the boldest political statement of his career and added his voice to the... Read more

September 23, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Raps Like He Never Has Before In a Chilling Cry For Justice (Audio)

2016 has been a watershed year for protest records in Hip-Hop, from Mistah F.A.B.'s "6 Shots" to T.I.'s "Warzone" and countless powerful anthems in between. Police brutality and the broader system of injustice in this country continues to inspire songs that are both triumphant but also forlorn and tinged with... Read more

September 15, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T., Akon & B.o.B. Have A Message For The System (Audio)

In a week that has witnessed the devastating murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Hip-Hop is speaking out quickly. As Black men and women are dying at the hands of law enforcement without conviction, DJ Greg Street brings B.o.B., Big K.R.I.T., and Akon together for "I Am Somebody." Built... Read more

July 7, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Rocks The Spot & The Clock… With 12 Freestyles In 12 Hours (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. is a product of the online era of Hip-Hop. The Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer has become a stalwart of the culture, and has built a career without reliance on mediums like radio and television. Instead, Krizzle gave away his music for free over the worldwide web, and never lost... Read more

July 5, 2016 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of April 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For years to come, April 2016 will be remembered as the month that brought purple snow in the form of Prince's death. In the wake of his departure, there have been countless tributes in the form of covers of his songs, new releases dedicated to him, and vaulted gems that... Read more

May 3, 2016 Audio

Lupe Fiasco, Big K.R.I.T. & Dee-1 Come Together To Be Real, Righteous & Relevant (Audio)

New Orleans, Louisiana MC Dee-1 has been grinding for years. Now backed by RCA Records, Dee has a knack for making music that knocks in the headphones and trunks, but still packs tremendous fodder for the mind. Fresh off of his club-tinged student loan-inspired "Sallie Mae Back" (a play on... Read more

April 6, 2016 Audio

Sticks & Stones Will Not Stop Big K.R.I.T. From Winning (Audio)

One week ago (March 25), Big K.R.I.T. was the latest contestant of Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette game. While past producer/MCs have taken the challenge of blindly selecting three records from a store (Erick Sermon, El-P, Large Professor, to name a few of the most esteemed), Krizzle would break new ground.... Read more

March 30, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Returns To Soul-Sampling & Songs About Pushing Through (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. made a name and a lane for himself making songs about defying the odds. The "third coast representing" MC/producer tackled the tall walls of the music industry on early mixtapes like KRITWuzHere and Return Of 4eva before becoming a Def Jam Records-backed major label artist. Despite two charting... Read more

March 28, 2016 Audio

One Of Big K.R.I.T.’s Jazziest Cuts Gets A Re-Boot From TUT (Audio)

Southern Hip-Hop artists have never shied away from originality, blending drawl with bounce in ways no other region can manage. Big K.R.I.T., the Meridian, Mississippi spitter has enjoyed tremendous accolade for his own musical stylings, celebrated as a Third Coast MC and producer whose lyrical content sets him apart from... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of October 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

When the year is tallied, October 2015 likely will be remembered as the month where The Game released not one, but two heralded sequels to his The Documentary album. And, while the accolades will be well deserved, there were a number of other strong releases in the first full month... Read more

November 10, 2015 Audio, Playlists

Big K.R.I.T. Restores The Glory With A Tape Featuring Warren G & Ludacris (Mixtape)

If Kendrick Lamar and Drake can rock the Hip-Hop space in an instant, why shouldn't Big K.R.I.T.? In a comparatively quiet 2015 for the Meridian, Mississippi double-threat, he makes up for lost time with a major splash in the water. It's Better This Way is a fitting title for an... Read more

October 14, 2015 Mixes

Big K.R.I.T. & Raury Deliver Some Forbidden Knowledge & Issue a Wake Up Call (Audio)

Over the last few months, Raury has quietly been breaking down barriers in Hip-Hop. He has re-defined the notion of what Southern Rap is "supposed" to sound like and he's embedded his music with deeper thoughts than those typically purveyed on mainstream radio. Whether political or personal, his moves have... Read more

October 7, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Injects A Visual Double-Dose Of Cadillactica Luxury (Video)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica may be approaching a year old, but that's not hurting its Blue Book value in the least. Krizzle releases a combined video for two of the albums standout cuts, songs that show the two distinct sides of the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer. "My Sub Part 3 (The Big... Read more

September 22, 2015 Video

When Big K.R.I.T. & 8Ball Come Together, Trunks Rattle (Audio)

Fresh off of yesterday's "86" birthday party, Big K.R.I.T. returns with another car tune. Teaming with one of his leading inspirations and ongoing collaborators in 8Ball, Krizzle also welcomes Scotty ATL to "Grippin' Grain." South Carolina's DJ Scream orchestrates the track, produced by UGK close affiliate Cory Mo. The resulting... Read more

August 27, 2015 Audio

1986 Was A Good Year… In Big K.R.I.T.’s Life & In His Garage (Audio)

Today (August 26), Big K.R.I.T. turns 29 years old. Born in 1986, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer named Justin Scott has risen to the top of the creative ranks in Hip-Hop since his mid-twenties. The Cinematic Entertainment artist was surprised with a special birthday present: a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The white... Read more

August 26, 2015 Audio

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2015 (Audio)

July has traditionally been slow for Hip-Hop releases, but 2015 proved to be the exception. The month brought new music from a wide variety of artists and set the stage for a blockbuster August, with the return of Dr. Dre and Warren G. Here are the best Hip-Hop songs of... Read more

August 5, 2015 Mixes

Big K.R.I.T. & T.I. Make A Retro-Melodic Car Cut With Mitchelle’l (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. and T.I. are proven masters of car songs. Both Southern MCs love old schools, boomin' systems, hydraulics, and "bowling ball swirl." Grand Hustle/Hustle Gang singer Mitchelle’l already made a song rooted in that Texas Slab Music sound. "Spillin' Drank" is a gliding record that sounds like what would... Read more

July 19, 2015 Audio

David Banner & Big K.R.I.T.’s Single Has Explosive Contents (Lyric Video)

Last month saw the release of the latest All-Mississippi moment courtesy of David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. "My Uzi" is the presumed first look at D.B.'s The God Box, and an essay on self-preservation with jacketed ammunition in the form of penetrating lyrics. Still a car-jam in its presentation, this... Read more

July 10, 2015 Video

Joey Bada$$ & Big K.R.I.T. Hope That You’re Listening To These Jewels (Audio)

Tomorrow, Statik Selektah will release his Lucky 7 seventh album—on 7-7, no less. One of the ShowOff Records/Duck Down Music release's highlights is "In The Wind." This moment is the latest run-in between Joey Bada$$ and Big K.R.I.T., alums from A$AP Rocky's "1 Train" as well as the obvious connection as... Read more

July 6, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Shows His Inspiring Life Journey in a New Short Film (Video)

It has been a wondrous five years for Big K.R.I.T. From Kritwuzhere to the Top 10 of the charts, the Meridian, Mississippi MC/producer is proof that hard work and persistence can make dreams tangible. Anyone familiar with the music and passion of Justin Scott knows that the journey has been... Read more

July 2, 2015 Video

Big K.R.I.T. & David Banner Take Aim Against The Corrupt System (Audio)

David Banner and Big K.R.I.T. will not go quietly, or unarmed. The Mississippi MC/producers make their latest union on "My Uzi," a Pimp C-sampling song about protecting ourselves, symbolically and literally, from terror and attackers. Presumed to be one of the first looks from David Banner's The God Box album,... Read more

June 30, 2015 Audio

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., & Tech N9ne Honor Memorial Day With A Deep Message (Audio)

Dizzy Wright, Big K.R.I.T., and Tech N9ne all love a good party record. These three MCs are masters at bringing the vibes of a strip club, a house party, or a festival to a track, with commanding energy. However, part of the reason all three artists are in an elite... Read more

May 25, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: None of These MCs Have Made the Top 10…Yet

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 10+1 bye (Rakim, bringing the tally to 11) contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in this... Read more

April 25, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Kendrick Lamar vs. Big K.R.I.T.…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 20, 2015 Fresh

DJ Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Features Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Styles P, Raekwon & More (Mixtape)

After several hot leaks over the last few months, DJ Kay Slay releases his latest mixtape, The Industry Purge. The project features a host of guest MCs, including, Raekwon, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., Jon Connor, Freeway, Lil Fame, Young Buck, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Chris Rivers, Locksmith, Troy Ave and more.... Read more

April 8, 2015 Mixes

Finding The GOAT: What We’ve Learned So Far & Why No MC is Safe

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 21 contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in Round 3 will get a bye in Round... Read more

April 7, 2015 Fresh

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of March 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

April 3, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Big K.R.I.T. vs. Action Bronson…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 31, 2015 Fresh

Ludacris, Big K.R.I.T. & Mike WiLL Make Another One For The Trunk (Audio)

While Ludacris put his first car and oft-daily driver 1993 Acura Legend on the cover of Ludaversal (which has since been altered for some reason), don't get it confused. The Disturbing Tha Peace founder, and longtime Def Jam Records superstar has a garage that looks like a baseball roster. In... Read more

March 17, 2015 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Gets Autobiographical About His Struggle To Climb Mt. Olympus (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T. is five years in on a journey to his own private "Mount Olympus." However, for the Merdian, Mississippi native, the journey goes back a long ways before 2010's Kritzwuzhere. On "K.R.I.T. 4eva (Chapter One)," the MC/producer channels the hunger—literally "a sandwich a day" as he recalls Greyhound bus... Read more

March 13, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Big K.R.I.T. vs. ScHoolboy Q…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 26, 2015 Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. Made Mind Control For Outkast, Talks Guests He Wanted For Cadillactica (Video)

Hip-Hop always loves a good what-if. Sitting down with Southern Rap mixtape mainstay DJ Smallz, Big K.R.I.T. feels comfortable enough to share some of the what-if's surrounding his sophomore major label album, Cadillactica. For starters, the E-40 & Wiz Khalifa-assisted "Mind Control" was made with another duo in mind. Having... Read more

January 24, 2015 Video

Listen to Over 170 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2014 in One Playlist (Audio)

2014 was an incredibly diverse year for Hip-Hop, musically and thematically. Many of the sounds that have dominated airwaves and web streams remained, but something returned that had been missing from the culture for quite some time: the voice of the people. In a year that saw more unrest in... Read more

January 5, 2015 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

AFH:14 Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2014 (Food For Thought)

2014 was a special year in Hip-Hop music. Rather than a usual suspect front-running in spotlight, this was a democratic crop of albums—where new artists made cohesive introductory works, veterans advanced their skillsets and redefined their reputations, and underground MCs challenged the mainstream. There were artists who released multiple works,... Read more

December 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought

Big K.R.I.T. & Raphael Saadiq Time Travel Back To Soul Food Dinners (Video)

From Cadillactica, "Soul Food" is an evocative center-piece. Produced by Raphael Saadiq, the veteran crooner's transcending soulful sound colors the way for Big K.R.I.T.'s strong commentary on the changing times, and how that has effected family, love, and togetherness. For the video, symbols of simpler times are captured, from long... Read more

December 12, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of November 2014 (Audio)

November was dominated by members of Wu-Tang Clan and Shady 2.0. Eminem, the Wu, Royce Da 5'9" & DJ Premier, Ghostface Killah and Slaughterhouse all had big records (or several). Here's a playlist featuring music by them, as well as De La Soul, Chuck D, Juvenile, Big K.R.I.T., M.O.P., AZ,... Read more

November 30, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Big K.R.I.T. & Raphael Saadiq’s Soul Food Highlights Cadillactica. See How It Was Cooked (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. earned another Top 5 this week, for Cadillactica, his sophomore major label release. The Def Jam Records-backed LP is a balance of Krizzle's foundation of car-audio odes, Southern slab ballads, and insightful looks at the world around him. One of the third variety is "Soul Food," a track... Read more

November 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big K.R.I.T.’s Gospel-Influenced Saturday = Celebration is One of His Finest Songs Ever (Audio)

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica album is quite possibly his best work, yet. K.R.I.T. is in top lyrical form and, with the addition of several talented outside producers, his music has never sounded better. One of the many standouts on the album is the Gospel-influenced, tribal drum-heavy "Saturday = Celebration." With K.R.I.T.'s... Read more

November 15, 2014 Audio

A-Villa’s New Production LP Features Kool G Rap, AZ, Elzhi & Big K.R.I.T. (Album Stream)

A-Villa's Carry On Tradition releases today. Should you want to support the Chicago, Illinois-based producer's Closed Sessions release, he's offering up a free listen first. The LP calls in verses from veterans including Big K.R.I.T., Inspectah Deck, Cormega, Freeway, Kool G Rap, Joe Budden, AZ, Elzhi, Rapper Big Pooh, and... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Travel To Big K.R.I.T.’s Planet Of Cadillactica A Week Early (Album Stream)

With the new week, Big K.R.I.T. has looked to NPR First Listen (for the second straight time) to premiere his sophomore major label album, Cadillactica (November 11) more than a week early. Guests on the Cinematic/Def Jam Records affair, per usual, include many of K.R.I.T's inspirations, including the likes of... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

Big K.R.I.T. Claims King Of The South & Says He Bested “Your Favorite Rapper” Too (Audio)

Guaranteed, you've never heard Big K.R.I.T. this confident, this unleashed... Track 7 from Cadillactica (November 11), "King Of The South" is a bold statement. With an in-your-face beat, Krizzle matches with a verse. The song talks the Meridian Mississippi's "country" upbringing, and his current urban lifestyle. He paints himself as... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. & Raphael Saadiq Search For The Lost Soul In The World (Audio)

With Cadillactica two weeks away (November 11), Big K.R.I.T.'s Raphael Saadiq-assisted "Soul Food" hits the web. Ray sounds as a crisp as he has in 10 years, and as integral to a Rap song as ever, as Krizzle breaks down the missing soul, from the relationships, to the streets, to... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Big K.R.I.T. & DJ Dahi Rev Up The Cadillactica In The Studio Garage (Video)

In the second installment of Big K.R.I.T.'s behind-the-scenes making of Cadillactica series, Krizzle sits in the lab with DJ Dahi (Drake, Freddie Gibbs, ScHoolboy Q) creating the Def Jam sophomore LP's title track. Even through camera speakers, you cannot argue that this thumps... Related: Big K.R.I.T. Previews His Cadillactica Album... Read more

October 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Big K.R.I.T. Kicks A So-Sincere Verse From Cadillactica On Sway In The Morning (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. doesn't freestyle. He tells Sway Calloway as much during this week's stop on Sway In The Morning. However, when urged to take a minute to gather an upcoming collection of couplets, after a quick freestlye over "Mind Playing Tricks on Me," K.R.I.T. comes out of nowhere with a... Read more

October 15, 2014 Fresh, Video