Audio Gumbo

Big K.R.I.T. just dropped one of the most anticipated mixtapes of 2012.  Hell, probably one of the most anticipated albums, period.  Since his last release, Return of 4Eva, the southern producer and rapper has kept his name in many mouths.  He’s been producing gems for artists such as Smoke Dza, Freddie Gibbs, Ludacris, T.I. and 8Ball & MJG.  His official debut album, Live From the Underground is set to be released some time this year (come on now, Def Jam).  The man has been busy.  Through that extensively busy schedule, K.R.I.T. managed to produce, mix and arrange his own equally substantial mixtape, 4Eva N A Day.  I have to say, quite frankly, it is the shit.

When K.R.I.T. released his first single from the mixtape, “Boobie Miles,” I knew some heat was being cooked up.  In true K.R.I.T. form, he released a free mixtape to appease his fans until his debut drops.  4Eva N A Day delves into a day in the life of the Mississippi country boy.  We get an opportunity to chill with him as he rises early in the a.m. (“Wake Up”), expresses his gratitude for his successes, reminisces about the life and loss of his older brother (“Yesterday”) and rides out clean and slow in his ’86 candy-coated whip (“Me and My Old School”).  The introspective tone throughout is truly one of the highlights of the tape.  “It was 1986, mama coulda cut me out the womb, but she knew better.”  Honest, passionate and bare, K.R.I.T. remains true to his country roots, embracing his southern inflection and disproving the naysayers.

And naysayers be damned.  K.R.I.T. has flows and beats.  His inclusion of live instruments woven through his beat machine sounds brings a smoothness to his tracks.  He has verses that cater to love and relationships (“Red Eye”) while speaking some real shit. “If you willing to try, then I’m willing to leap out of the window of pain and fall in love at your feet.”  Then there’s “Insomnia,” a sexy, gutta call to procure 4am sex as a sleeping aid, accompanied by a nasty ass guitar riff.  One of the nicest tracks is “Package Store.”  Reflective and discerning, the track approaches life surrounding a local package store: addiction, aggression, judgment, condemnation.

Overall, 4Eva N A Day is a dope concept piece that will surely turn you into a believer if you didn’t understand the buzz around the southern-bred MC.  If anything, you’ll wonder where you can send your $9.99.  But lucky you, you can download it for free at Live Mixtapes.

Check out my favorite track, “Country Rap Tune” (R.I.P. Pimp C)