4 Eva Is A Mighty Long Time (Review) 4/5 Vibes
It has been awhile since we heard any new music from the artist Big K.R.I.T.. Three years is “a mighty long time” but it was worth the wait. It seems as if the Mississippi native has been busy honing his unique sound and fine tuning southern hip hop as a whole. The bar has been risen. I’ve enjoyed his music since the early days of “K.R.I.T. Was Here”, but this record feels like home. “Ya’ll wanna win, put Boobie in. Let him spin.” This is the “Return of 4eva” AND the ‘hometown hero’. Touchdown Odessa.
Not only a fresh perspective on the chest knocking “sound of the south”, but this also feels like a tribute to all of those who paved the way and influenced his sound. There are nods and salutes sprinkled thru out the entire record for the real southern hip hopper. This is not to exclude the repeated elements of gospel, blues, jazz, and soul. This gives you a peek into the other side of the artist. The poet, and introspective lover that is Justin Scott. This is Anita Baker, meets 8Ball & MJG. Ronald Isley times Koko Taylor. Keep up children of the world. You can hear him celebrating the likes of the following via sound:
Cash Money (The Big Tymers/Juvenile), The Dirty Boys (Big Bank) Twista/Bone Thugs & Harmony/ Do or Die (Layup), Cadillac Records, UGK, 3-6 Mafia, Jim Crow, Scar Face, Erykah Badu, David Banner (OG of the Mississippi movement), Motown, The Dungeon Family, J Dilla (yeah, I said it), OutKast, and MusicSoulChild (Everlasting). This is not to include the actual features from all of the pioneers and legends on the album. How did you get Cee Lo to rap fam? Really? He doesn’t rap for anyone! Also, where in the entire fuck did you find Mannie Fresh and where has he been hiding?! We love Mannie Fresh AND his skits are unforgettable! Let us not forget the incomparable Jill Scott. That reminds me, I need to check on her after this review drops as I will likely be her 3rd husband. I digress. This is the music that raised us and the artists that inspired our generation. Robert Glasper, Ken Walum, Bilal, Sleepy Brown, UGK, Joi, Keyon Harrold, and TI also join as well.
There is balance here. He not only shows adulation but takes time to carve his proverbial notch on the post and show his own growth. Not only as an artist, but also as a man.
K.R.I.T. addresses serious and real issues that are shunned and frowned upon in the black community. Issues like: substance abuse, depression, losing loved ones (his grandmother), political/social climate, the pressure of the industry, being conflicted in general, escaping, and the weight of fatherhood. ‘Cadillatica’ was solid but also slept on. This time around, eyes are not only open, but so are ears. We relate fam.
I was recently approved and certified by the National Music Review Association in order to give reviews of music, culture and related items.
Okay, that’s a lie, but I’m southern, a long time fan and my opinion doesn’t really mean shit, but I give this record 4/5 VIBES.
*Back then I was the kid running wire, putting an extra battery in the trunk, cracking 6x9s every week, making payments on an amp, and screwing down a cut up sponge underneath my license plate to keep the rattling down. If you know what ANY of that means, then this record is not just a tribute to the influencers of his sound, but this is a tribute to you as well.* Thank you Big K.R.I.T., I mean Justin or as we say back home and in the south: “Preciate bof oh ya’ll folk. Good lookin cuh.”
This record is a vibe. “Why is you yelling, when I’m telling you this thang a classic?!”