Back in the early 2010s, Big K.R.I.T. was on a short list of MCs to bear the flag for rap’s Millennial generation. Alongside him were Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and, of course, Drake. While the King Remembered In Time has consistently put out strong music (including the classic Returnof4eva), he hasn’t reached the level of success and impact that has been enjoyed by Kendrick, Jermaine and Aubrey. However, with his new album, 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, Justin Scott has accomplished what his aforementioned peers have yet to achieve — or attempt: crafting a sonically-rich, thematically-sound, and thoroughly enjoyable double album.
The key pillars to creating an outstanding double album are maintaining a balancing between cohesion and variation, bright guest spots, minimal filler, and a statement of the artist. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time contains all five, most importantly an undeniable declaration of K.R.I.T. as a mainstay in Hip Hop and one of the greats of his generation. The project is divided into two LPs, one themed “Big K.R.I.T.” and the other “Justin Scott.” The dual-personality concept is nothing new, even for a full album (see: T.I. Vs. T.I.P.) but K.R.I.T. pours such conviction to strip the ordinary theme of gimmicks.
Indeed, from the first few bars of the opener, “Big K.R.I.T. (Intro),” he raps like a man possessed. “On the south side I was country born, came bumpin’ out the system, fuck if they don’t listen/Came a long way from niggas throwin’ CDs out the window like I made a Frisbee,” he spits hungrily. His flow is buttery and his delivery is crisp, especially on the T.I.-assisted “Big Bank,” which is turnt enough for listeners to lose their shit at their niece’s Christening. One outlier is “Confetti,” on which K.R.I.T. mars an ominous yet powerful soundbed with a flow that is too stop-n-go for his smooth style.
K.R.I.T. displays an admirable focus on the album’s dual thematic elements. The “Big K.R.I.T.” side showcases twangy, southern-fried production. The funked-up “Get Up 2 Come Down” features an impressive turn from CeeLo Green and is backed by horns possessed with the funk. The haunting beat of “Ride Wit Me” looms like a solar eclipse over Bun B’s forceful bars and Pimp C’s ominous hook. The “Justin Scott” side features more elegant music fit for his forward-thinking mind. Head straight to the bar’s top shelf for the most shining example with “Drinking Sessions,” as drawn-out horns and melancholy keys underscore K.R.I.T.’s lamentations. “Shit been fucked up, ‘cause they don’t talk about Christ/Everybody tryin’ to die young, but who gon’ talk about life?” he wonders, the pain in his voice palpable. The first LP is an infectious 10-toes-down affair, but it’s in these moments, when Justin Scott steps out of the candy-painted car and heads to the altar, that 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time is most compelling.
There are a few times when K.R.I.T. eases up his urgency, resulting in missteps. “Layup” features a tired hook about a carefree day that looks “like a layup, layup, layup” and adds zero depth to the “Big K.R.I.T.” side. Justin Scott’s “Mixed Messages” is an admirable attempt to convey his own hypocrisies, but is too on the nose for a project that already explores these dualities with its two LPs. Also, with the mounds of material already in his catalog, K.R.I.T. doesn’t offer us anything new per se but still manages to fire off a fitting introduction for those who unfamiliar with his cerebral brand of country shit.
No, the LP isn’t “K.R.I.T. for Dummies” nor will it win over fans who aren’t convinced all double albums are measures of overkill. But it does highlight Justin Scott and Big K.R.I.T. in their truest essence; spiritual, witty, and loyal to Mississippi, with overly soulful, southern production. Thanks to 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, Justin Scott has once and for all ensured that his musical legacy is worth remembering.
Much respect to Krit for holding down the essence of Hip-hop in the south.. be healthy and support quality music y’all
Fire.
Water
Entire album gives me chills
It gave me AIDS
Giving this the 5/5 stamp
Dope album by KRIT
fire
Outstanding album
So far I prefer Cadillactica far more better than this, but I’ll give it a couple of spins tomorrow in case my mind opinions changes. No rating yet from me.
The Growth is serious!! N the words of Pimp C… It ain’t to let to stop acting like a B!@(?
5/5
Given the ubiquitously positive feedback, one would think this article was a review of a Drake album.
Immaculate piece of work
K.R.I.T. legend after this!
5/5
Brought it as soon as it drop. $12.99 was spent well.
Wow this album is nasty! Beautifully produced from start to finish. Just epic and it doesn’t feel long at all. Krit’s flows are his nicest ever and his styles and singing are incredibly diverse. What an an album and what a catalog.
Another masterpiece by KRIT. 4.5
Classic shit is droped
Dope album. Lot of songs, never loses depth, with great production.
For a double album I expected more, but it was a good project with a handful of really deep and profound songs
How can you review an album that hasn’t even been out for twenty four hours?
It doesn’t take everyone 24 hours to review music. Some people have an ear for music and others don’t.
I have been listening to it for almost 48 hours and still feel this may be the album of the year. If an album give that feel from the jump, the feeling won’t go away over the days
I am no expert when it comes to southern sound but this is beautiful and reminds me of the Underground Kingz (sonically). Will be listening a lot.
Album of the year
His best album yet and those were hard to top. Better here 4IAMLT singles on the radio.
Always been dope. Production is butter and he continues to improve. This might be his best project to date.
22 tracks of soulful southern gangster wisdom
Damn. That’s a quick review! You guys are. A little biased towards KRIt. Good artist but you always over-rate his stuff…-and you cannot judge an album in 24hours!!
Smh if a album is good it’s good. Who cares if they listened to it right away? FOH.
Overate my Ass!! This is K.R.I.T we talking about it. The most underrated artist of all time! He deserve 5’s all across the board! WTF U TALKING ABOUT? If more of these so called artists worked as hard as krit we could elevate this hip-hop thing to a whole new level. He puts out quality music every time! None of that bubble gum bullshit in his discography. It about time he starts getting recognition.
#Facts
Part of being a reviewer is you get albums early. I had been bumping this album all week before I wrote it and it dropped.
KRIT IS AMAZING. HE TOP 2 MCS AND HE NOT #2.
Arguably his best project to date
AOTY
Great sound. Love the live instrumentation. Country rap tunes at it’s best.
A perfect album
Classic
Most definitely a classic. Album of the Year
A classic definitely
ALBUM OF THE YEAR. Forget Kendrick, Jay-Z, Big Sean and others. This is A CLASSIC ALBUM LIKE NO OTHER.
Big Sean?? FOH.
HHDX what is wrong with yall rating? 4.3? This is 5.. if not 4.9
He finally getting the ears of those who’ve been sleep. “If it dnt touch my soul, then I can’t listen to it.” Kirt
Layup dope as hell, y’all buggin. And the album IS a classic, I just hope it get’s supported as this is real music!
This shit is real.
Amazing album from top to bottom. KRIT horizon has expanded in his expression, story-telling and ear for production. I fear that this album will become the new yardstick with which he his future projects are judged against. But watching KRIT and the growth in his body of work, I believe his best works are still ahead of him.
Forgot to give my rating.
my only issue with the album is that he only produces bout 5-6 tracks and they include the intros and interludes for me it doesn’t have the same feeling as his other albums because of that, it loses its authentic-ness as a krit album for me because of that.
still the best album out this year though
Watching the evolution of K.R.I.T. is reminiscent of how Outkast started off raw and over time refined their sound into something that is their sound. K.R.I.T. has his influences, and you can hear it in his music (especially UGK) but his sound is unique to him and lyrically I’ll put him up against anyone.
I told my homie this was one of the first albums that I really anticipated in a long while.
Did not disappoint.
This album is straight fire 5/5
Utterly amazing, been a fan on of is since 2010, and the the maturity and growth in his creativity and thought process ensues. He is underrated with a 4.3, you guys should be ASHAMED of yourselves. Charismatic yet introspective in his profound lyricism, with equally epic multi layered sounds that effectively channels and nods Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk, R&B, Gospel and Neo-Soul. Reminiscent of classic raps with classic skits,
He is the epitome of the quote “The South has something the say” and its LOUD AND CLEAR now. The best album this year, if not top 3 debatable
“Reign On”
I LOVE THIS ALBUM! It’s right on time, and important!
Some good songs but maily long and boring ones.
Bugging
What you saying? Long and boring?????????
what he means is, it has too much substance and not brainless enough for him. We get it bruh smh
is the first time i see all this motherfucker together on the same opinion………….this is fire
Only provlem with this is that I think “Mixed Messages” is PERFECT, even if it is a little on the nose. Not just lyrically, but sonically I love that song. “Layup” isn’t highlight, but it is a little comedown that fits aesthetically.
Only song I would drop from the album—and I probably will end up deleting it— is definitely “Confetti.”
Straight flames and vibes
Greatly appreciated the Album, 901 Approves
Album of the Year! The “it’s alive” sample on Subenstein is annoying and the track with Lloyd is mediocre at best but overall the entire project is slappin! My favorite hip hop album since Anderson .Paak- Malibu.
Maybe it’s just in my head, but I picture Andre 3k listening to this album and thinking “this is a guy I would come out of retirement to work with”. Miss Georgia Fornia sounds like a track right off Stankonia.
yeah that collab would be crazy
Amazing album. KRIT is so underrated it’s sickening
Masterpiece
Definitely appreciate BIG K.R.I.T. for showing the world that singing with a major label don’t make you hot and you definitely can succeed without a major label believe in yourself…
hottest album of the year so far but the reviewers always be sleeping on KRIT. smh.
Sleepin? How is rating an album at 86 percent sleepin…
fucking awesome
??????????
rate 5/5 stars
Keeping the fire alive! I have been a K.R.I.T. fan since first hearing “K.R.I.T. wuz here.” I appreciate his development as an artist and love this album! 5:5
on repeat 4eva
Betttt???
Shoulda left def jam a mighty long time ago
It’s a classic
Yall trippin’!!! LAYUP IS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tuyfdu56yttg
Easily a 5 out of 5 album. No trap beats, no cookie-cutter flows or ideas. “Mixed Messages” is one of my favorites regardless of what this reviewer says. The overall album takes me back to when albums explored different sounds and concepts. These days a lot of albums consist of the same type of beats and the only thing that changes is the arrangement of the lyrics. 5/5 easy.
Album is straight flames!
Too dope, best album this year so far.
This album is a masterpiece.
only one skippable track for me.
1999?
This album is a classic, incredibly deep and speaks to directly to your soul. 5/5 come on.
nope.
Better album i’m not hear in last time
GREAT ALBUM!
this album is pretty tight from start to finish.
Great Ablum
Only one or two tracks I don’t like. Other than that, maybe a classic.
Masterpiece of King of South
Perfect and well thought out album… The features are perfect fit… The consistent flow of the album gets you lost and you don’t even realize you have listened to 22 tracks with relevant and funny skits.. Perfect blend of old hip hop and new age…. The only problem is Kendrick dropped DAMN first… Or KRIT would be my number 1 album of the year.. Instead he got 2nd and Jay pulling up the rear with 3rd…#salutekingkrit
Nice work.
Straight doody
Great album from Krit. Fuck DA haters mane
Bumpin this one.
I would give this a 4.5/5 if I could. It’s such a fantastic and well-rounded rap record. One of the better rap albums I’ve heard this year.
Very Good.
How does K.R.I.T. have the best flows, best bars, and the best beats? He can sing better than most rappers, too. this man can do it all.
This made my ears happy.
Great album especially seeing him and cyhi touring together
1 mill/5
second disc is literally perfection
Nah you buggin. Layup and Mixed Messages are great tracks.