Albums Big KRIT - 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time (Discussion Thread)

[steadyrighteous]

I don't necessarily agree with you but I really like how you articulated your point. Unlike some you have definitely given it a thorough listen and decided it's not for you.

KRIT is in a weird place and has been since he got in the game. I think he has constantly shown growth, but it has been a gradual change and not a complete 180. Because he has never completely switched up from his core themes that got him to the dance per se, a lot of people have made the observation that he comes off as repetitive.

Not being argumentative or contrarian, but what do you think he could or should have done with this release that would have gotten your attention as a big KRIT fan?

The shortest, honest answer is - I don't know. But I can give you an example or a slightly more detailed assessment that explains my perspective on the idea of KRIT being "repetitive".

This isn't a comparison between them as artists and I'm not saying KRIT should be like him in any way, but take Kendrick as an example. (In a perfect world, I think a perfect KRIT album would be slightly above a perfect Kendrick album - just wanted to let that be known so this doesn't seem like I'm stanning or trying to start a comparison lol)

GKMC, TPaB and DAMN are three different albums. Ignore the sound, ignore the style, but focus on the central thesis behind each one:

GKMC - Where I'm From and how I grew up (local)
TPaB - Society today and where we are as a whole (external)
DAMN - Who I am and what I'm feeling (internal)

Again, ignore the style of the beats and production and focus on what the topics are - Money Trees from GKMC would feel completely out of place on TPaB or DAMN. Feel from DAMN might fit on TPaB, but probably wouldn't on GKMC. DNA from DAMN couldn't possibly be on TPaB, but might fit on GKMC. For arguments sake, Swimming Pools from GKMC would fit fine on DAMN, but not on TPaB, but that's just to help make my point on perspective.

The point I'm trying to illustrate is, when you switch perspective, or the general theme you're attacking, your entire writing process shifts and it doesn't fit what you did before.

Now let's go back one album with KRIT. Cadillactica, which I thought was good, but let's take two songs that immediately spring to mind for me - the title track, Cadillactica, and Soul Food with Raphael Saadiq. Both songs I really like.

Cadillactica the song, could easily slot into the KRIT portion of 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time or replace Confetti (which I like) and you wouldn't miss a beat. Soul Food would feel right at home on the Justin Scott portion of the album between any two tracks or replacing let's say, the Jill Scott joint.

So if 2 songs you made from your previous album could go on your new one, or vice versa - what's the difference?

Listening to 4eva, there isn't a single bad song on there. Nothing is weak. Nothing is wack. But if I'm in the mood for KRIT, why would I listen to a 3/5 version when he has a couple of 4/5 and maybe even a 5/5 versions of the same feeling, vibe and topics?

If the core of an artist remains the same, it doesn't matter what the question is, whether it be "do you believe in aliens" or "what do you think about the Lakers", the answer will feel like them, because their core is strong.

KRIT just needs to start asking himself some different questions because I feel like I've heard 5 answers to the same 5 questions at this point.

 

[Nero Christ]

I definitely feel that a concept album would help KRIT a lot. An album of venting his frustration at Hip Hop and the world through the manifestation of a toxic relationship with a women. It's cliched but when done right, it works beautifully. He would need to find a producer who can craft a different sound for him but still allow him to shine. Create something that has a light hearted mood at first then progresses into being darker and angrier.

KRIT himself would need to stick to the concept and speak to the good times when the relationship started and everything he put in, then the beginning of the problems followed by the fake "love" from her, leading to the contempt, and finally an ambiguous ending for whether he feels he should stay with or leave her...maybe even make the ending something similar to Undying Love by Nas.

Keep it short (10 - 13 tracks) and make the imagery real visceral. He should also add in some paranoia to go along with his frustration. Paranoia from never "blowing up", watching his contemporaries "blow up", wasted time, and if this was the right decision and what could have been different. Everybody fears that and if KRIT nails it (I think he can), it will open up a new creative world for him.

 

[86\*/98]

Had to sit on this album for a bit before really commmenting. Let the album marinate a little. As a fan I am just excited that the album is being so well received. Its an excellent piece of work and you hear the freedom he has since leaving Def Jam. Not sure where I put it in his discography as Return of 4eva and King Remembered in Time are flawless/nearly flawless to me and have certain sentimental value.

"Big K.R.I.T." starts the album off with a standout track that has a lot of energy. Second half reminds me of his Mt. Olympus verses or his King verses. "Confetti" is a great follow up track. I liked it more than others initially and it fits the flow of the album well. "Big Bank" goes right into the southern bounce we all expect from a Krit album with a great assist from TI. "Subenstein" is a great bass heavy standout track that enters a new stratosphere after the beat switch. I been a big fan of Krit harmonizing since Curren$y's "Skybourne", and he found a way to get more of that into this album as a whole. It works in every single spot. I now find myself waiting for the breakdown and the bridge. "Oh my sub, it knock and it bang. From the lows to the highs, it shakes the whole frame. Of the old school whip, it swang whenever I come through. I been basing" "1999" comes on and sounds a little more universal than the rest of the album so far. Love the Lloyd hook. "Ride Wit Me" is a cool homage to UGK. "Get Up to Come Down" is a standout ttrack with a great guest verse from CeeLo. "Layup" is definitely a homage to Bone and is executed well. "Aux Cord" fits perfectly after the "Classic Interlude." The songs has grown on me a lot. "Get Away" is the final track on the first side and a definite standout track. A lot of energy here. Love the sample, the hook, and the flow of the verses.

The Justin Scott side starts off with an instrumental sets the mood for the songs that follow. I can't find a miss on his half of the album. "Mixed Messages" is a perfect intro to this half of the album. Another song with harmonizing Krit. Flows perfectly into "Keep the devil Off," which I might play for my mother and see how she likes it. "Miss Georgia Fornia" was initially a song i bypassed, but I love it now. Some more Krit harmonizing. Definitely embracing being country. Some blues elements. Then we get to the back to back punch of "Everlasting" and "Higher Calling." I love both these songs and speak about them together because of the romantic theme. I will say I prefer "Higher Calling" of the two, but thats just because its one of my favorite songs on the album along with "Big K.R.I.T." "Price of Fame", and "Drinking Sessions." Jill Scott is perfect on the hook, reminding me of Angela Winbush. The whole last 5 songs on the album I view as perfect 5 out of 5 songs. "The Light" has the jazz influence. "Bury Me in Gold" ends the album on a high note, positive energy song which is needed after the introspection of "Price of Fame" and "Drinking Sessions". "Drinking Sessions actually reminds me of Cam'Ron on Confessions of Fire in a great way.

I think the only thing I wanted more from this album is another anthem like "Country Sh!t" (KWH), "R4 Theme" (R4) "Piece on Chain" (IBTW) "Keep it Boomin" (IBTW) or one more player song like "Players Ballad" (R4) "No Static" (IBTW) "Get Right" (R4) "Pull Up" (LFTU).

Yeah, it was good and shyt.

 

[steadyrighteous]

I definitely feel that a concept album would help KRIT a lot. An album of venting his frustration at Hip Hop and the world through the manifestation of a toxic relationship with a women. It's cliched but when done right, it works beautifully. He would need to find a producer who can craft a different sound for him but still allow him to shine. Create something that has a light hearted mood at first then progresses into being darker and angrier.

KRIT himself would need to stick to the concept and speak to the good times when the relationship started and everything he put in, then the beginning of the problems followed by the fake "love" from her, leading to the contempt, and finally an ambiguous ending for whether he feels he should stay with or leave her...maybe even make the ending something similar to Undying Love by Nas.

Keep it short (10 - 13 tracks) and make the imagery real visceral. He should also add in some paranoia to go along with his frustration. Paranoia from never "blowing up", watching his contemporaries "blow up", wasted time, and if this was the right decision and what could have been different. Everybody fears that and if KRIT nails it (I think he can), it will open up a new creative world for him.

I think you're onto something. People do it with individual tracks from time to time, but always give it away with the last verse or line (I Used to Love HER etc.). But committing to the concept from top to bottom, never showing your hand, even at the end, could be incredible.

A song about being with a girl who used to strip but doesn't do the things she used to do with her customer's with you could serve as an allegory for watching other rappers excel doing similar things to you...

And you could mask it even further by making it a really well made Trap-type song.

Breh...

Get KRIT on the phone!

 

[Nero Christ]

I think you're onto something. People do it with individual tracks from time to time, but always give it away with the last verse or line (I Used to Love HER etc.). But committing to the concept from top to bottom, never showing your hand, even at the end, could be incredible.

A song about being with a girl who used to strip but doesn't do the things she used to do with her customer's with you could serve as an allegory for watching other rappers excel doing similar things to you...

And you could mask it even further by making it a really well made Trap-type song.

Breh...

Get KRIT on the phone!

the stripper aspect is real good (makes her/hip hop feel like she was no good in the first place but there was something engaging about her that attracted him and others, making him feel like he could save her while others merely used her). Hell he could go the Common route, and proclaim she was a good girl dealt a bad hand but eventually got to liking the environment she was in, and KRIT could be trying to make her realize it's wrong for her.

You could say thats simpin but blind love is real and it will help add to the frustration KRIT feels and make the paranoia seem even more dangerous for him. There's many ways to take a concept album which is why I think it would work for KRIT.

 

[The Infamous]

I've been bumping this since it released, excellent album.

Now I need to get myself a physical copy to show support for the homie.

 

[Monoblock]

Copy came on Monday.

 

[Super Cheech]

9/10 album.

 

[GreenGrass]

where can we buy this album?

 

[FreshFromATL]

Goodness, Keep The Devil Off and Higher Calling are so amazing. This album made me go to Best Buy and buy some new headphones so I can make sure I'm properly receiving this musical goodness in all its glory .

 

[BedRoomI'z]

The last critiques were
Good thoughts and points.

I think Krit is kinda stubborn. He wanna paved the
way his way. He may not be opened to see an outside
perspective yet.

 

[UserNameless]

@steadyrighteous



Tweet that man!


Nero your idea was really on point too.

Bottom line his next album needs to be less of this slow, barely perceptible "gradual " shift in sound....and just a fukking tangible, clearly observable shift.


And nero and steady, yall all are doin the job his creative team should be doing tho... Make sure yall get paid.

 

[steadyrighteous]

@steadyrighteous



Tweet that man!


Nero your idea was really on point too.

Bottom line his next album needs to be less of this slow, barely perceptible "gradual " shift in sound....and just a fukking tangible, clearly observable shift.


And nero and steady, yall all are doin the job his creative team should be doing tho... Make sure yall get paid.

Honestly, I don’t rap, but I do work in creative fields so I’d be more than happy to be a part of the process if he or his team wanted to reach out

 

[UserNameless]

Honestly, I don’t rap, but I do work in creative fields so I’d be more than happy to be a part of the process if he or his team wanted to reach out

 

[He Who Posts Well]

I think 1999 could be a successful next single.