Big K.R.I.T. is carving out a new space for himself again. Early in his career he showed out with quality material devoid of any mixtape inclinations and gave it away for free. In an industry with deepening commercial roots in Atlanta, K.R.I.T. had a different and more specific country charm to him. He’s a deep-South native and almost two decades after Outkast was booed at The Source awards there’s a public cry for the region to be acknowledged in his music. Over the summer, K.R.I.T. lashed out and built momentum with the sentiment on “Mt. Olympus,” forcefully grabbing attention as much as pining for it with verses and a hook that air out his exasperation with not being taken seriously.
The against-the-industry bend is only part of K.R.I.T. though and while he has legitimate reasons for feeling snubbed, most of Cadillactica invites you in instead of antagonizing. As immediately listenable as his debut album Live from the Underground was, the record was contrived from fresher sounding and more promising mixtape-albums released in succession just a couple years prior. K.R.I.T. earned his fans with a string of those brimming free releases but after the Def Jam debut he has remained in the margins of mainstream notoriety.
There’s a constant nod to artists like Outkast and 8Ball & MJG in K.R.I.T.’s Southern iconography and his music is drenched in the homage. Cadillactica carries the Soul and Funk of that tradition, but there’s also a different angle of approach than before. There’s only three samples on the album, a nearly complete but slowly built departure from K.R.I.T.’s reliance on flipping records. He’s also handed the production over to several guests for the album’s singles (this after a less album-like mixtape produced with help from hitmaker Mike Will Made It). It’s a transition into approachability perhaps and even with K.R.I.T. on the boards for more than half of the album, the featured production is a major artistic shift.
As an overarching concept at least, Cadillactica has been more fleshed out in interviews than it is explicitly in the music. It does serve as a framing device early on but he doesn’t belabor the point. Beyond the beginning tracks that set the record up loosely as a musical planet K.R.I.T. is ushering into life, the album flows mostly free of the abstraction. The sequencing is smart and encourages playing through with an accessibility to the singles being bunched together in the first half of the tracklist. Placing the project’s most radio friendly single directly after “Soul Food,” a track that laments the lack of community and substance in the current generation, seems like a show of agility for K.R.I.T. and that he’s comfortable in either place. Like much of the album, both songs are grounded in Soulfulness but the electronic atmosphere of “Pay Attention” is current R&B while the Raphael Saadiq number is warm and analog. The tracks are completely apart but work in succession, a trick K.R.I.T. leans on throughout.
The album’s big bang parallel is “My Sub Pt. 3,” an origin story for himself as much as for the galactic concept he fits it into; the track’s seismic bass breaks into country silence, crickets chirping in the background. “This is how it all started way back / First the boomin’ voice then the bass crack, 808,” he raps. The bass-obsessed, country proud theme is a K.R.I.T. hallmark by now and the sound can’t be separated from the subwoofers it’s supposed to knock around. Later in the album K.R.I.T. holds onto the sentiment while venturing into new territory. “Cadillactica” is the centerpiece, a DJ Dahi synth-driven beat pings around futuristically as K.R.I.T. steers his car thematics into a new age. There’s a pitter-patter flow to his rapping that together with his deep accent makes him hard to imitate when he’s charged up and spitting quickly like he does on the latest single. The album is a highpoint for K.R.I.T.’s lyricism and he’s obviously placed emphasis on this half of his craft here. “Standby” is an interlude but finds K.R.I.T. at his most poetic over a mellow and Jazzy backdrop: “It’s feeling like one of those days / Dodging the sun, watching for shade / Playing the game, catching the fade / Doing what it takes to find a hole in this maze,” he raps.
Except with his music’s bottom-end, K.R.I.T. has never tried to shake the South. He’s stayed true while turning over little pieces of sonic self-discovery on this release, sounding newly and more like himself by the end. Cadillactica is the first time K.R.I.T. has tried something obviously original while under the scrutiny being a major label artist brings. Without leaning back he’s smartly pushing against himself by enlisting Dahi and Raphael Saadiq and Terrace Martin. There’s a conscious move into original music and instrumentation here that hints at where K.R.I.T. is heading, as well. With Cadillactica he’s found his stride by taking new steps. K.R.I.T. isn’t slept on, but he’s proven again that he should have a bigger bandwagon by now. Once he does he’ll throw some fifteens in the back and keep it moving.
Thank you KRIT
until I looked at the check of $8170 , I did not believe that my father in law had been actualey taking home money parttime from their laptop. . there moms best frend has done this 4 less than 9 months and just paid the mortgage on there house and purchased McLaren F1 . original site……..
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This album is amazing. K.R.I.T has outdone himself. In my opinion, this up there with 4eva N a Day
5/5
Big KRIT > Kendrick Lamar
and ‘Mt. Olympus’ > ‘control’ and every other control response
This is the type of shit that causes fan division right here. Enjoy both artists for what they bring to the table instead acting like some hoes.
@iLL, Cosign
Album of the year. KRIT DA goat.
Couldn’t have asked for more. Krit killed it.
5/5
Album of the year. KRIT is best in the game. 5/5
Album of the year. Big K.R.I.T. took his on this album and phenomenal job putting out quality soul music, but this one done took it to a whole another level 5 of 5 2 thumbs up, ten toes down.
real sound of south, krit killed this shit
lol the real sound of the south are those country ass uneducated weed smoking, lean drinking, trappin and snappin ass niggas dummy. thats what everyone listens to and acts like, idk if you’ve ever been anywhere in the south before
Being someone who’s been pretty judgmental towards newer artists Big Krit is a breath of fresh air. Grew up on mostly 90’s easy coast WU, Nas, Def Jux and southern acts such as Outkast, UGK, Face. I’ve been pretty critical of most new shit I hear these days. Yes there’s some dope artists out tho such as Black Hippy crew, Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs ect. But I think Big Krit might be the dopest of them all. Krit and Killer Mike are elevating the southern hiphop scene dropping nothing but dope projects
Cadillactica and RTJ2 are best albums of year so far. Def support these artists working hard
I agree with your statement about best albums of the year, although I think Oxymoron, Cocaine Pinata, and Cilvia Demo need some recognition too.
fire
First let me say I applaud KRIT for having the courage to make this kind of album in today’s southern HIP-HOP scene. He is definitely the champion of real shit and is holding the torch.
With that being said I have to be a little critical. Although lyrically KRIT can go at any of the greats in the game. My only problem is this HIP-HOP (BEATS & LYRICS). I do find myself bored with KRITS beat selection at times. Don’t get me wrong he definitely carries the load lyrically; in order for this to be a TRUE HIP-HOP CLASSIC, I would like some adjustments on the production side.
All in all still the dopest album of the year…thanks KRIT
album dope – well done krit
dope album from KRIT, good shit right here
KRIT KILLED IT DOPE AS FUCK
Easily the best album the South has put out in years.
DOPE as SH#%
Along with Kendrick, Krit is really carrying that torch of albums with concepts, skits, and strong cuts that set a vibe more for riding and really listening than exclusively club or radio shit. all the great classic albums have that balance, especially the southern ones he was inspired by. The songs “Creation” and “Angels” are solid. Much respect for him. I look forward to seeing him produce projects for artists with different perspectives and agendas too. I want to see him figure out how to make handsdown, unfuckwitable street bangers. and he might be more freed up to do that for other artists. For example, a Freddie Gibbs album produced by Krit. Either way, i got too much appreciation for this guy.
Nicely said, this dude Krit is the truth. Can’t wait to see what the future possess for this man.
I agree this is a great album. KRIT should produce for other artists more and it might happen now this album is out.
Album of the year! So far.
KRIT
4eva
I’m proud of you HipHopDX for your rating. I think this album is phenomenal.
Such a great album..KRIT never disappoint me!..so happy I pre-ordered it
I fuck a hoe to this album
#K4L
best piece of work i ever heard from krit and im a die hard fan #k4l
amazing album
First half of the album gets 4.5/5, second half gets 3.5/5.
that seems about right
Pimp C says he’s the “coldest out the south in case ya didn’t know”
dddddddddddoooooooooooooooopppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeee
What’s all the fuzz about? Not one track that stands out. Maybe because I’m not into southern rap.
if your a fan of real rap you should enjoy this it being southern has nothing to do with it but keep limiting yourself on what you listen to cause hes from the south that makes sense. OPEN YOUR MIND
Im so sick of people saying “fan of real rap”… how about you “OPEN YOUR MIND” more and someday you be able to say “A real music fan”
Great album though, huge fan of KRIT
If the music is good it should not matter if it comes from the South, West or East. Good music is good music. Just say you don’t like it
This album is a good example why it goes wrong with hiphop music today. And all these hiphop sites giving lots of credit to mediocre rap albums like these ain’t helping hiphop and their listeners a lot.
@ELjay
Eat a dick hoe
amazing tape.
Multi Alumni. Dope album. I love it
Krit is such a southern monster. This shits reminds me of the best of David Banner, Outkast, and the Dungeon Fam. Don’t know if there can be a bigger compliment than that…
you forgot UGK, 8Ball & MJG!
Men i love this album, KRIT > Kendric
Nah, Kendrick is running LA and the hip hop scene; Krit is holding down the South.
Kendric is good for west coast, but KRIT for the south. KING OF THE SOUTH is KRIT, Fuck These Haters & Fuck These Hoes!!!
exactly
i agree Krit is what the south needs and im from the south
When i first time listen album, I was surprised how much was a good album
5/5 no comments
Just started playing this on Google Music. After hearing various tracks that some of these hip hop dudes have released lately, this Krit music is such a refreshing change of sound. I have enjoyed how this cat has developed since he dropped his first project.
If you appreciate all that old school UGK, Goodie Mob, Outkast, 8ball & MJG, you’ll enjoy this.
*Respect
Been listening to K.R.I.T since See Me On Top Vol.1 his progression and growth has been enormous from then to now. As an southern artist myself his work is inspiring. His rhymes and sound really personify southern hip-hop. He definitely falls in the lineage of Outkast,UGK,Ball & G and Scarface.He is co-signed by the legends of the south for a reason. Can’t wait to see what he does next.
CLASSIC
5/5
Hip hop needed this album. Maybe I’m being bias as a southern native, but this is the best album out of the south since Speakerboxxx/Love Below
i agree im from the south myself but i wish more southern artist was like him
Classic
This was a great read that touched on some really nice points for Cadillactica. Loved the pointing out of KRIT’s focus on “instrumentation” within his music. That’s what the industry is missing and KRIT’s been doing it since day one.
#PlanetCadillactica
This song is ridiculous! Dude is a beast. Needs more props.
Baaam 5/5
Big K.R.I.T laced us with southern adventure on Cadillactica the production is top notch and very poetic as well. One of the best albums I have listen in 2014.
great article that features on what makes K.R.I.T. a legend in the making whom was a child of OutKast… 8Ball&MJG … UGK
he definitely is a favorite of mines
This album sounds like Aquemini part 2 and I don’t mean that in some negative way. It is so space age some may not appreciate it until another 10 years.
I love it.. I generally pirate albums but I actually bought this one.
Classic piece of art here. Phenomenal album!
Greatness from start to finish – Drop the top and take a trip to cadillactica, Open your mind
Big KRIT > Kendrick Lamar & J Cole
Cole has always sucked delivery-wise.
King of the South!
this album is what hip hop needs, especially the south. its been a long time since I was able to put a cd in my deck and just let it play and this album does just that. to think this is only the beginning.
This album goes hard and slow at the same damn time. It’s about time a good rap artist is able to come out with something that has some substance to it. Something other than that senseless shit. I remember when people was say the B.O.B was “supposed” to be Andre 3000 prodige..I don’t think so. Big Krit is him.
dope af
Best cd I’ve heard outta hip hop this year
Amazing album
Cadillactica is the album of the year. I hope Krit finally gets the recognition that he deserves. I have been listening to his music since KRIT Wuz Here. His mixtapes have been better than most of the hip-hop albums that have been released the last few years.
Agreed, forget the big names and hype beasts this is the HipHop album of the year. Wouldn’t it be crazy if he gets a Grammy nomination.
what are the best songs on the album?
Stand out tracks are Cadillactica, Pay Attention (Ft. Rico Love), Soul Food (Ft. Raphael Saadiq), Lost Generation (Ft. Lupe Fiasco), King of The South
You forget Life, My Sub pt.3, Mind Control, Angels, Saturdays=Celebration and then Lac Lac
Truly amazing album
Masterwork! An ode to the classic Hip Hop of the South. Long live the KRIT!
Definitely a good album
album was fire
Okay, I listened to this start to finish. I can’t get enough of Big K.R.I.T.
Overhyped album with same ol krit. Itd sound original if i didnt already know krit but rappers are falling behind and most hiphop producers are overrated by fans who r too stuborn to explore other genres of hiphop besides east west and south coast mainstream. Try shabazz or clipping or death grips.Real music for non fake ass hiphop heads.
Dude shut the fuck up you don’t know music I can by what your dumbass typed
Death Grips and bang with. Zach Hill is a monster.
Kids album simple ass shit.
great album
We all know who is the king of the south
Me nigga.
i’m after you
Lupe is fucking dope on Lost Generation
KRIT delivered again. What’s even better, this kills LFTU. I love Soul Food, Lost Generation, Mind Control, Kreation, Life, My Sub Pt.3 (Big Bang), Angels, & Saturdays=Celebration.
Definitely 4-4.5
Mt Olympus(reprise) is dope
If you think that version is dope, you need to listen to the original. Search simply : Mt. Olympus….. now THAT’S DOPE!
“If it don’t touch my soul then I can’t listen to it” – K.R.I.T.
This is the best Big KRIT album. I have them all. It is a creative masterpiece. The music/ production is great. There is music for everyone on this album. I think my church going mother would appreciate some of the songs on this album. This is the best rap album I have bought all year. Congrats Big King Remembered In Time. Glad that we can appreciate your work now and they will definitely appreciate you in time. It was worth the wait.
dope album
This was KRIT’s best work to date, and honestly a top 2 album since 2010. There’s so much imagery and so much said on this album that it’s taken 5-6 listens to grasp every concept and each time I listen to it I find more and more deeper connections. There’s not one weak track on this album. Usually I find myself skipping songs here and there, but this work as a whole is a masterpiece. It’s the best album since GKMC (maybe better, time will tell) and I think the album cements KRIT as a top 3 or 4 MC in the game today.
he keeps getting better and better with time. I stumbled across his music listening to satellite radio and was hooked. Like he said, I can’t listen to it if it don’t move me
im angry that he put whiz kalifa on a track and of course ruined it. what was his line about eating lobster? honestly wtf.
KRIT used to open up for Whiz Khalifa on one of Whiz’s major tours. He has produced for Whiz in the past such as the Whiz and Currensy project Jet Life….. Big Sant and Whiz will be returning guests on a lot of K.R.I.T projects, GUARANTEED!
I know Wiz and KRIT go way back with the collabs, but Wiz’s verse was wack.
Without Wiz on here this would be a flawless album to me.
Excellent Album!
One of my favorite albums of the year.
Krit hasn’t disappointed me yet and I highly doubt he will. The creative output he has on music is refreshing he’s not recognized like he should be but if he stays true to his craft he will be. 4Eva and a day.
I love my boy krit is finally gettin his respect. this is his best since krit was here.
I enjoyed this album from start to finish an genuinely well produced project. I like his overall approach and the direction that he is headed especially after hearing multiple interviews focus still remains the same.
I didn’t cast my rating
album of the year. KRIT killed this
After King Remembered in Time, Big KRIT comes stronger than ever
of corse
Geeaaaah Let me listen
Much respect to krit for consciously holding down the south. Real Hip hop heads let’s promote the real. Peace
DOPE!
best of 2014
True Art!
lets gooo
Classic enough said
I love KRIT!! Like everything else in his catalog, this album is a true masterpiece. KRIT is one of the last rappers with real artistic integrity!
classic reminiscent of aquemini
Exactly what I thought. Most of KRITs shit has that southern fried sound to it and it’s nice as fuck.
Thank you Krizzle… thank you
i love you KRIT. Akbum is realy good
Album of the year thus far. From the rooter to the tooter.
Co-signed… I think?
Album is too good. Reminds me of that 90’s rap what I grew to.
Decent album
Baaaad album bang it 247 catchy az flows n nice work
Sick ass album… more of a full listen through type of album than a banger. Except ofcourse Cadallactica bangs, Mind Control, Mo Better Cool, Saturday = Celebration. BTW: The track “Do you love me” is featuring a female vocalist, she is currently dating KRIZZLE! Good job kid.. she looks fine as hell!
Classic material
dont get all the hype wi this dude, just not my style i suppose :/
Then you’re probably in the minority. You are obviously a fan of another type of hiphop so why even waist time shittin on this man when he’s clearly not your cup of tea. KRIT is an amazing artist, dont believe me? Keep reading the comment section. The man clearly has a fan base of people who know hiphop and approve of his work.
Dope! Title track Cadillactica may be in my top 5 tracks of the year.
yo this album is everything. krit should be the new king of the south cause HE COMIN FOR YA
Lost Generation Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn
Thank fuck for this album. By far the best hip-hop album released in November. A possible top 5 of the year? The intro above summed it up, never been a huge K.R.I.T fan until this point but he’s cruising in his own lane on this one.
Great album, 4.5/5.
Joey Badass > Kendrick > Big K.R.I.T > J Cole > Yelawolf > Asap Rocky > Drake
not even close
Hell naw. If you want too look at it like that (all about your preference to an extent)
Kendrick, KRIT, Drake (hate to say it), Cole, Joey, Rocky, Yelawolf
Good album but wasn’t close to KRIT wuz here or Return 4eva
Top 5 albums this year!
This along with No Label 2 ,These Days ,Oxymoron ,Ciliva Demo ,Seen It all,By Any Means,Life After Deathrow ,Next To Nothing ,Welcome To Fazoland ,Under Pressure and Free Crack 2 are among my favorite projects of this year !
best album of year!!!
This is a hot album. I always been a fan of Big KRIT. Some of the tracks have that OutKast and UGK feel to it. Great beats! Good album to ride to.
allbum of the year
Albums amazing, Pimp C reincarnated.
5/5!
KRIT is best right now in the game
Great piece of southern art. Andre 3000 might not have been the king of hip hop but K.R.I.T. is following in the steps to be one of the greats.
Hood music is limited to hood sales. I write all my songs for 7 billion fans the whole human race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojEg5AAwIQg&list=UUuxXZA3b0MIPnig4qIy7FVA
No one channels the Dirty South in their music better than K.R.I.T period.
One of K.R.I.T.’s best work. Timeless as always.
2/5
you are retarded
Big K.R.I.T. is the man. He can touch many topics. Which a lot of artists can’t do, while at the same time staying true to himself.K.R.I.T. is the best out right now. To me is only competition is (the king of the south) T.I. who can also do the same just on a more hood tip. Big ups. MISSISSIPPI ALL DAY.
.
Impressive.
i love listen KRIT, he’s my insparation
my nigga krit
Krit never disappoints
K.R.I.T. = the South
KRIT is definatly overrated. His rhymes are okay, but his flow sucks and his voice is annoying as hell
Nah fam u got it wrong his voice is the perfect rapper voice aside from maybe Kendrick
this aiight