Most of Rap’s promising up-and-comers have gained prominence from superstar cosigns. And more power to them: the likes of Drake, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, and Big Sean prove the genius eyes and ears of Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and Kanye West on a daily basis. But Big K.R.I.T. has built his buzz the old-fashioned way: through good music. The Mississippi-bred emcee/producer’s mixture of introspective rhymes, southern ig’nance and soulful self-made production earned him a legion of followers with his free K.R.I.T. Wuz Here 
mixtape-album last May, and a record deal with Def Jam within the same month. less than a year later, Returnof4Eva shows that he hasn’t lost a step.
Despite being a relative youngster at 24 years old, Big K.R.I.T. has a clear respect for the southern Rap tradition—box-car whips, rattling trunks and thick belles are covered on both surface and personal levels. “My Sub” showcases and pays homage to sthe bass-heavy sounds that his region is known for, “Shake It” narrates K.R.I.T. gaming a scandalous stripper, and “Rotation” captures candy-painted escapism in a manner that would make the late Pimp C proud. The stellar “Time Machine” takes it a step further, when he and Chamillionaire hop in a slab to reminisce about their youths while shouting out greats like Scarface and UGK. Big K.R.I.T.’s ability to contextualize southern culture into his own style and life without featuring the legends themselves on the songs (aside from the David Banner-assisted “Sookie” ) is notable, especially so early in his career.
Another highlight of Returnof4eva is is an apparent “less is more attitude,” as K.R.I.T. creates emotive, conceptual music without complicating things with complex punchlines or indigestible concepts. Candid imagery and simplistic metaphors—“looking for a fix in broken times,” and the hunt-or-be-hunted mentality of “Lions and Lambs”—are more than enough for him to deliver his messages. “Rise And Shine” pushes listeners to hustle for their goals day in and day out, and “Dreamin” sees K.R.I.T. using a soulful backdrop to reminisce youthful days of pursuing a rap career. The simple, effective metaphors continue with “Highs and Lows” (“Life is an EQ of highs and lows”), “King’s Blues” shares the pressures of being the head of a households. The most complicated song here is “Another Naïve Individual Glorifying Greed and Encouraging Racism,” only because of the “N.I.G.G.E.R.” acronym—and even that is plainly said in the chorus, which is stuffed in between three passionate, discrimination-tinged narratives and an excerpt from Spike Lee’s seminal film Bamboozled.
Big K.R.I.T. is already an exceptional lyricist, he very exceptionally produces all of Returnof4eva himself. With his skill set, respect for the past and a refreshing mix of confidence and sincerity, he has all the makings to be mentioned alongside Southern legends if he continues this output on his Def Jam debut. But when the cosigns come pouring in, don’t associate them with his come-up—just know that is when he has officially arrived.
DX Consensus: “Free Album” (the highest possible praise for a mixtape).
you can always count on krit
The south at its besst
Classic, reminds me of the old south
CLASSIC.
Finally DX got an album review right. Classic shit right here.
This site really should rate free albums, because its nice to know at a glance whether its worth the hard drive space.
yeah, b/c me & McNulty can’t think for ourselves, so we need to know in advance from a stranger we’ve never met if they like something before we’ll listen.
We ridin with u down here in the A Krit.
DX should obviously first let us rate an album for a week and the make a review about that album(maybe that will help them rate albums better than they did lately).
As for this it’s a classic mixtape
Obviously? This site is 12 years old. Are you?
lol
From Mississippi myself, he is great my new favorite rapper!
THIS IS AN ALBUM
HipHopDX knew it was a 5/5 album but bottled giving it such a rating.
No, we just don’t rate mixtapes.
Big Krit is on his grind right now! I’ll have to listen more, but so far it’s good.
BEST NEW RAPPER OUT NOT EVEN CLOSE 2 ANYONE ELSE
good
One word: masterpiece.
fucken great mixtape, and im usually not into the deep south accent
Real music for real people.
honestly it is a continuation from big krit was here album. the boy needs 5 stars stright up. DEF-JAM DONT DROP THE BALL…. ReturnOf4Eva
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Download Big K.R.I.T.’s album “ReturnOf4Eva”
1. Dreamin (clean version)
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2. Dreamin (dirty version)
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3. American Rapstar (clean version)
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4. American Rapstar (dirty version)
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5. R4 Intro
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6. Rise and Shine
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7. R4 Theme Song
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8. Dreamin’
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9. Rotation
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10. My Sub
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11. Sookie Now (feat. David Banner)
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12. American Rapstar
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13. Highs & Lows
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14. Shake It (feat. Joi)
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15. Made Alot (feat. BIg Sant)
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16. Lions and Lambs
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17. King’s Blues
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18. Time Machine (feat. Chamillionaire)
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19. Get Right
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20. Amtrak
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21. Players Ballad (feat. Raheem Devaughn)
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22. Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed and Ecouraging Racism
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23. Free My Soul
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24. The Vent
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25. Country Shit (Remix) (feat. Ludacris & Bun B)
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The 300 Block has a strong representative with Big K.R.I.T.
His major label debut will be patiently anticipated.
1 word…. ROTATION
This an amazing album/mixtape. This is my first time really giving him a KRIT a fair shot, I can honestly say that it was a wise choice. With music like this he has a fan for years. The only problem with the album is that the length of the album is very long but it should be noted that there is not one bad song. In matter of fact every song is at lest good, and many are great. If this would have been cut down say 4 or 5 songs it would have been the only improvement.
No less than 5 stars. Dude is the realest doing it now stays conscious with the subject matter yet keeps that distinct southern flavor intact.
Well done krit. Can’t wait for the def jam LP, I just hope to god they dont fuck it up.
Quality mixtape. Rotation is my favourite.
Simply AMAZING. He did it again, he has managed to create a CLASSIC “Free Album”.
5/5 No Doubt.
best of 2011 until now
5/5 Mixtape of the year
K.R.I.T. is just dope, awesoome mixtape a 5/5 with no doubt.
amazing skills.
different from krit wuz here but still fire
Classic.Soulful.
classica
KRIT stepped his game up heavy. Def gonna be beating down the block to this one.
We need more like this. 5/5
hell ye, best mixtape of 2011 so far!
Powerful Tape!
heres a couple reasons to download FYA STARTA’s ep ”PANIC ATTACK”
*you love jesus
*its different then everything out
*its free (even broke ass niggas can enjoy)
*you cant listen to waka flocka and lil b all ya life
*he produced the whole thing
http://str8jacketent.blogspot.com/2011/03/fya-starta-panick-attack-ep.html
damn i went from loving southern rap to absolutely ignoring it..from outkast/goodie mobb to all the snapping shit and now to rappers like krit,banner,curren$y, and a few others.
You’re a really good writer.
fiyah!
Overrated. Joe Budden is better. #GOAT
You like Budden more, so that makes him over-rated? They’re completely different styles. No comparison.
get out
Joe Budden tapes have some okay songs. Just a lot of punchlines with no message. Sometimes he even overraps if that is even a word. KRIT mixtapes are way better. He has good subjects and he is lyrical with a purpose. Stop riding Joe Budden even he appreciates good music.
nigga u whack u dont wut gudd music
don’t get me wrong I think buddens is good he has great lyrics but he doesn’t have rhythm in his flow anymore , neither does j.cole thats why it took drake to get on ” hit it in the mou\rning ” for him to get airplay
This. Shit. Is. IT!
5/5
never got bored 1nce during it……cant say that for other albums i was waiting for….snoop,lupe,cube,stat ….etc…all let downs in my opinion…and its a mixtape too!his beat choices are bang on the money ITS K.R.I.T.T.T.T.T.T. MUTHAFLUKKAZ 1
never got bored 1nce during it……cant say that for other albums i was waiting for….snoop,lupe,cube,stat ….etc…all let downs in my opinion…and its a mixtape too!his beat choices are bang on the money 1
i didnt think he could even top KRIT WUZ HERE this shit is BONKERS will be considered a southern classic
For most that know me, indeed I think there is a lot of garbage that comes out of the South. Actually, the South has had a LOT of garbage the last 10 years. Just like the West Coast had a lot of garbage in the 90s, the East Coast had a lot of garbage in the 80s. THIS IS A CLASSIC! He goes in so many directions on this. I’ve heard some compate KRIT to Pimp C. I always feel like he is that missing Dungeon Family member that never came out. (even thought he is not down with the DM)
West Coast had garbage in the 90’s??????? Snoop? Pac? Dre? Ras Kass? For real??? You trippin for real!
@Mic Tone
Yeah there was so many great ones but, trust me son, they had a rack full of shit ones youve never even heard of
best mixtape or album out this year
str8 classic krit’s the truth best thang out the south 4alongtime.
The south is back!
my only prob wit r4 is tht i cant stop listenin 2it….
fantastic
Super dope mixtape! All the love from Romania. Big KRIT BABY!!!
Best Mixtape of the year This is some real music…
amazing…
He’s got great rhythm in his flow – really works that southern accent out.
This mixtape is a smooth southern ride.
This album is the closest to perfect released this year!
Maaaaan, so incredible. Dreamin is my shit. So much good music out that people just don’t pay attention to.
yes yes – that is an awesome mix tape – I’m rocking some older sounds but can deffo still dig on this
Album is sick
This is an absouletly solid effort from Big K.R.I.T. never really got into KRIT wuz here mixtape. but this is def a banger all the way through…. Looking forward to the album
The first mixtape and this has official made KRIT my favorite rapper at this time. The best way to describe his sound is the slow,syrupy, southern brashness of UGK mixed with the innovative,inntrospective lyrics of Andre 3000, yet retro funk of Outkast as a group. Yes, I said it, he may be th second coming of that original Outkast sound mixed with that UGK all in one. Outkast X UGK = Big K.R.I.T. I now that is a “BIG” statement, but if you enjoy those artist, you will surely enjoy KRIT.
My thoughts exactly. I use the same comparisons when I explain him to people.
Is there anything anyone can say about this album that doesn’t make it perfect?
Cause i can’t think of anything. I feel like in every area (production, lyrics, concepts) KRIT perfected on all 21 songs on the album.
And i consider any album/mixtape that has that many dope songs without one bust on it perfect.
Best mixtape I’ve heard in a long time. I have trouble having a day pass without listening to it. I wish he would open up a pay pal or something so I could give him his due. I’m about to check for a site now.
He does have a paypal for donation and you can also buy the physical copy for this and his first album on his website. returnof4eva.com . They are like $20 each.
2nd best next to his 1st album
Classic’s both must have!!
cold
fye
kills it
WHAT THE GAME NEEDS… none of that racks on racks bull!!
lovin this cat’s consistency so far
Dope
not good at all…
Your a moron
5 out of 5
Instant Classic.
I was worried about what was going to happen to this dude signing to a big label. Def Jam should have a hands off approach on this guy’s work because he is truly unique. He makes a connection to anybody who has their ears open.
To be able to create some awesome cruising music and be able to get to a listener’s emotions is something only a handful of MC’s have ever done and he’s only 24. Listening to K.R.I.T. then listening to an album like 2pac’s 2pacalypse made me realize how many artist fail at getting a message across with their lyrics.
If people classify some of the artists out today as a “Genius” then i don’t what you classify K.R.I.T. as. To sum it up K.R.I.T. puts anything I’ve thought as “the next big thing” to shame. Props to Dame Dash for helping this dude’s work spread out from the third coast.
GReat stuff
Yo, I can’t stop bangin both. Met the dude at his show. Great dude. Even gave me pizza. lol. Officially My favorite rapper. I’m glad I had a chance to meet him get get both of his mixtapes signed before the kid blows. Ha haaa. Don’t hate!
Been listing to this nonstop! Man has talent.
this was the shit it should be in the 5.0 section
SIMPLY PUT…..THIS IS WHERE OUTKAST LEFT OFF! HANDS DOWN THE MOST SLEPT ON ARTIST IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW!!!!
Best mixtape I’ve ever heard.
The mixtape is solid, it’s cold all the way. The only hip-hop I’m really listening to these days is Big Kritt and waiting for that Cold Corner 2.
Best mixtape ever
krit is the best hands down
big k r i t is the s h i t
Best mixtape in 21st century!
Come on son! 1. The Warm Up, 2. So Far Gone, Kenrick Lamar – 3.a.O.D. & 3.b.Section.80 (tho I view that more as an online album) Then 4. Return of 4Eva, 5. Lil Wayne -Dedication 2
amazing album. period.
i love krit and this is a dope mixtape. i just dunno if i can say it’s a step forward from krit wuz here
Best mixtape/album of 2010
I gotta say, this is hot
very introspective and crafts his own beats. krit is not to be fucked with
mixtape is great. can’t wait for debut
be easy on this. it rides out
Can’t even find words for this.
Great Review.
Insanely good
Eeehn! WRONG!!!!It’s Insanely GREAT -Insanely PHENOMENAL – Insanely EPIC.
Great mixtape/album