The time has come and passed since Big K.R.I.T. put out 4eva N a Day, but it's not too late to mention this wonderful piece of art released a few months ago.
The Meridian, Mississippi emcee has the ability to paint a vivid picture of what a typical day back home entails. K.R.I.T. crafts each and every beat himself and has no features (save for the guitar and saxophone accompaniment). The result is a cohesive story, so detailed that you feel you were beside him all day. He has a knack for creating a backdrop that allows him to blend potent lyricism and melodic hooks while staying true to the message of the song.
The record is extremely personal with interludes featuring his father, tracks about his grandmother, and verses detailing the conflict between staying true to his art and meeting record label demands. Take a listen to the first track to see how Krizzle's day begins, followed by a few other of my favorites from the album.
Big K.R.I.T. - "Wake Up" (Saxophone by Willie B) (4eva N a Day)
Big K.R.I.T. - "4eva N a Day (Theme)" (4eva N a Day)
Big K.R.I.T. - "Country Rap Tunes" (4eva N a Day)
This last track really breaks down how tough it is to maintain your integrity as an artist when signed to a major record label. With hard work, perseverance, and a deep dedication to his craft, Big K.R.I.T. has been able to consistently put out honest and timeless music reminiscent of Outkast, UGK and Devin The Dude.
Big K.R.I.T. - "Handwriting" (4eva N a Day)
Big K.R.I.T.'s 4eva N a Day is available for free download through his website.
If you're feeling K.R.I.T.'s music, be sure to go out and support his Def Jam debut, Live from the Underground, dropping next Tuesday (June 5th)!
Few things make me happier than an album I can play without skipping a track. You know? Those albums that play like a film or read like a really good book? They keep you entranced all the way through, listening to every word or instrument, sometimes forcing you to repeat a track just to catch a slick line. Well...that happened again, thanks to Daveed Diggs and The Getback crew. Also, it's pretty awesome to see an album named after an E-40 line.
Daveed Diggs ft. Rafael Casal - (Small Things)To A Giant
I've listened to Daveed Diggs' newest offering Small Things To A Giant
over 10 times and I'm still picking up gems like it's the first time
through. Diggs utilizes a combination of rapid-fire flows, soulful
harmonies and unique production to craft an album that touches on a
variety of topics. We learn about the ups and downs of growing up in a
disadvantaged city neighboring prosperity, and how Diggs brushes off the negativity and remembers - it's Small Things To A Giant!
We can all relate to that feeling when the end of the work week rolls around, and the undeniable urge to let loose is in the air. Daveed sums it up perfectly with this ode to the night.
Daveed Diggs - Night Time
The Getback crew is comprised of rappers, poets, actors, singers, musicians, writers, graphic designers, video
directors...pretty much the most complete set of talented
artists you'll find. This allows them to forge projects the way they
want to, in-house, and with complete creative control. The result of
this is outstanding pieces of work time and time again.
My favorite thing about The Getback collective is that they don't follow any conventions, they do what they want, how they want. Listening to the their older mixtape you can hear some concepts and melodies they were playing around with manifest itself into a more mature sound on their current projects. The use of live instrumentation and professional arrangement elevate their sound to another level. Take a listen to a mix of music (old and new) and you'll see they keep to a high standard of quality.
Here Rafael and Daveed go hook for hook, coming up with some pure gold along the way. Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs - Diggs Challenges AD (Getback Mixtape)
One of my favorite tracks from the album - Daveed Diggs ft. Moe Green & Lauren Nagel - Don't Let Me Fall (Small Things To A Giant)
Rafael Casal ft. Daveed Diggs - It's A Love Thing (Bay Boy Mixtape)
Daveed Diggs ft. Rafael Casal - Go Boi (Small Things To A Giant)
Rafael Casal ft. Daveed Diggs - Ghostin' (Bay Boy Mixtape)
Daveed Diggs - F With Me (Getback Mixtape)
So there you have it, Daveed Diggs' debut album (for the free) and a brief intro to The Getback. For more music, videos, and information about upcoming performances follow the squad here: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Chinaka Hodge. And lookout for Rafael Casal's next album The Whoville LP dropping February 2nd, 2012!
I've had this album in constant rotation since it dropped, which is a strong indicator that Kendrick Lamar has a bright future in music (or at least in my library). Section.80 (a play on Section 8 and the 1980's) is a conceptual album, chronicling the various emotions, attitudes, and characters that represent the "80's Baby" generation. Topics and specific themes contained in this album are evident from the song titles alone ["A.D.H.D.", "Tammy's Song (Her Evils)", and "Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice)"]. The album plays like a very fluid movie, with thought-provoking content and high quality production. The interludes are perfect and provide a great narrative to the story, while the diverse instrumentation allows Kendrick to show off his unique and everchanging delivery. This is one of those works that you can get lost in, playing over and over, picking up new pieces to the puzzle with each spin.
"A.D.H.D." encapsulates so much about this generations disposition to drugs, differing view points in relationships, and just the daily life of a 20-30 year-old.
I’m in the house party trippin off my generation
Sippin cough syrup like its water, never no pancakes in the kitchen
Man, no wonder our lives is caught up in the daily superstition
That the world is bout to end, who gives a fuck? we never do listen
Unless it comes with an 808, a melody and some hoes
Playstation and some drank, technology bought my soul
Looking around and all I see is a big crowd, that’s product of me
And they probably relatives, relevant for a rebel’s dream
Yep, her president is black, she black too
Purple label on her back but that tab is light blue
She take it straight to the head, then she look at me
She got AD-HD…
On "Poe Man's Dreams", K.Dot describes his growth from a child into a man, while his motivation to succeed (family) remains unchanged.
I'd like to start it out from the bottom and build with ya
Be on my last dollar and split the bill with ya
I’m 23 with morals and plans of living cordial
Not rich, but wealthy. There's nothing you can tell me
My killings are not remorseful
The city got my back, and for that, I give them my torso.
I find the final third of the album really interesting. Each song seems to touch upon the different stages of grief and dealing with pain from the perspective of a man growing out of his youth.
"Chapter 10" leads off with a warning to the 80's Babies - "In time you'll learn this is about you", which could equate to overcoming Denial. The interlude ends with the instruction to "Show Your Pain", to look within and grow from adversity.
The Pain in "Keisha's Song (Her Pain)" is too sad to go into much detail, but unfortunately, not uncommon. In the end Kendrick makes sure to prevent anything like this from happening to his younger siblings, absolving him of any Guilt from lack of guidance.
My little sister eleven, I looked her right in the face
The day that I wrote this song, sat her down and pressed play.
On "Rigamortus", Kendrick blacks out on a rapid-fire flow with such proficiency that you cannot hear a single gasp for breath. This is pure Anger, resulting in the "execution" of any competition.
With "Kush & Corinthians" follow the Compton MC as he Reflects over life's ups and downs. On another listen, it's the perfect tune to vibe out and ponder those events that have brought you to your current state.
"Blow My High" touches on the need to Separate oneself from past bad influences and move Forward towards a Positive future. Also, it's a sweet ode to Aaliyah.
"Ab-Soul's Outro" is an inquisitive Realization and Reconstruction of self, brought to life in the form of spoken word stanzas over incredible live instrumentation.
"HiiiPoWeR" is an anthem for Acceptance of circumstances and Hope going forward, all over head-banging production from J.Cole.
Section.80 is definitely in my Top 5 for this year! Hit iTunes and support Kendrick Lamar for a steal at $8, you won't be disappointed.
