Many people always say that the South "killed hip-hop". These are mostly the "real hip-hop" heads that are saying this and if you see them comment something like that on YouTube or talk about it on social media, they're probably focused on people like Soulja Boy, Lil Mama, or maybe Lil Jon. These artists are likely to start trends and sag their pants, along with grills in the teeth; something rap junkies detest.
However, these hip-hop heads can end up forgetting how groups such as OutKast, Goodie Mob, Geto Boys, UGK, and even Little Brother, came from the South. And these people proved to be lyrical (from ATLiens to The Minstrel Show) and legendary. Even Andre 3000 has gained a loyal fanbase with his lyrical content and his songs. Even to this day, these guys are Southern legends.
OK, now that I made my point and you probably know where I'm going with this, let's start off the review with my typical introduction:
Justin Scott aka Big K.R.I.T. was a young Mississippi guy trying to come up when he released the first two installments of the See Me On Top series in 2005. Growing up in a time where he couldn't buy beats, he had to produce and create his own beats for his mixtapes. Following up with Hood Fame in 2006, KRIT released a few more mixtapes. But around 2010, KRIT was recognized by Sha Money XL aka Former President of G-Unit Records (where has he been? Haven't heard any production from him) and signed him, and also released his 6th mixtape, KRIT Wuz Here.
K.R.I.T. Wuz Here was his sixth mixtape, released on Cinematic Music Group. Although not his first mixtape, it was his breakthrough project that managed to gain him major attention and critical acclaim. Released at the start of May, K.R.I.T. had the chance to work with different artists including Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa and Smoke DZA, with the production heavily done by Krizzle himself. A really authentic and classic Southern feel on the mixtape that hasn't been heard much since 2006, was frequently portrayed, along with his lyrical content.
As I said before, K.R.I.T. would gain major attention and this tape would be seen as one of the best mixtapes that came out in 2010. He'd move on to make a few more mixtapes including Return of 4Eva and 4Eva N a Day, and sign to Def Jam, releasing albums like Cadillactica. Well, I've done enough talking for now, so let's get into it!
1. Return of 4Eva (feat. Big Sant)
The tape starts off with a no-introduction, and just a straight-up song. Krizzle comes in good with his normal Southern flow, and Sant continues with a big voice style, that just comes out alright. I like the production, it goes in and the two manages to make a good song to start the tape. Solid!
2. Country Shit
This song BANGS! K.R.I.T. brings back that laidback banging-in-the-whip Southern style on this one which hasn't been portrayed much in music since 2006. The remix with Ludacris & Bun B would be on his next mixtape, Return of 4Eva, and that was better than the original. But this song is still a standout on the album.
3. Just Touched Down
Wooooooo!!!! This song is nice and smooth! KRIT's production is awesome and the content is just nice, and the beat just bangs out. The lyrical content is appealing and makes this song so good.
4. Hometown Hero
This is where K.R.I.T. gets a little serious, with the piano-lead beat. On this song, Krizzle talks about his hometown in Meridian, Mississippi and he comes in really well. The singing sample fits in and makes this really interesting and more mature to the topic. The beat is nice and doesn't try too hard to bang out like the previous tracks. A nice song from KRIT!
5. Viktorious
This song is another serious song about himself and being successful as a rapper. It feels like an interlude especially running a little too short. I like the content in the song, but the beat doesn't bang out much and sounds like a rap beat someone made and at least posted it on YouTube (and that's not really a good thing).
6. See Me On Top
Previously in 2005, KRIT made a song of the same name, which was on his first mixtape of the same name. This should've been called as a "Part II" or something. Maybe KRIT forgot about that old song. Anyway, this song is nice and I like how he talks about his past and seeing himself on top, as the title suggests. I heard the original 2005 version and that's alright but this one always managed to be better than that one, with the beat being great and nicer than the original. Solid track.
7. Glass House (feat. Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa)
Please read my thoughts on this song in my Kush & Orange Juice review.
8. Children of the World
KRIT talks about society, behaviour and lifestyle in a age like this, and it's really interesting hearing this. Sometimes, I'm not really focused on the soulful beat, because the content is too much into my head and KRIT going acapella before it ends was just amazing, especially when he murked the beat. Another standout on the tape.
9. They Got US
KRIT tells a story about 3 people in trouble, with the 3rd being the cause of his own problem. I like this song a lot, the beat is nice and smooth, really soulful. The lyrics are nice, the story is interesting, the hook is catchy and I just like this song; it just comes out really great, and I love it.
10. Good Enough
On this song, KRIT brings his thoughts about his career and life in general, and I like it. The beat is soulful and laidback. The content and lyrics are on point, especially in a serious matter. His thoughts are interesting enough that I can just rock and bump to this song! Nice...
11. No Wheaties (feat. Curren$y & Smoke DZA)
Spitta, KRIT & DZA collab on a song which features a lot of American Football references. KRIT starts off nice with his references and country flow, and DZA continues with a nice and raw style with Curren$y concludes with a louder and better flow than usual, but still uses his lifestyle rap on the song. I like the song, the beat is nice, the lyrics are awesome, and the song comes out real smooth and nice. Curren$y had a standout verse, with his lifestyle flow and coming out a little rawer than usual and his lyrical content is nice. My favourite on this tape.
12. Something
I know someone listening to this was waiting for the beat to drop. Still a great song though.
13. Moon & Stars (feat. Devin The Dude)
This song is so chill. The song follows late night riding and clubbing. The song reminds me of the 90s R&B songs that'd be on the radio. KRIT brings a lot of nostalgia. Devin's verse was alright, he did sound like he was being silly with it in some points. He did well, and KRIT's final verse was nice. The beat is chill and a feelgood vibe is shown a lot here. Solid track
14. Neva Go Back
One of his most emotional songs where he reminisces about the good ol' days and when he was a child. I like it, the vibe is nice and has a sombre feel to it. The nostalgia from KRIT is interesting as he reminisces about the times. Another nice and solid track from KRIT.
15. Gumpshun
Like it, another chill song with a 90s-like beat. KRIT's rhymes are nice on this one, and the hook is very catchy. Decent!
16. 2000 & Beyond
Finally, I haven't heard much bangers on this tape since "See Me On Top". Krizzle samples a 70s song that I remember was sampled on a rare early Wiz Khalifa song ("Gotta Get It" on Prince of the City 2). Obviously, from the banging beat and chill feel, KRIT sampled it better. The content is nice, and the sample use of Dead Presidents (the movie, not the Jay-Z song) is actually interesting and the soul sample as well. One of those banging-in-the-whip songs and a standout on the tape.
17. I Gotta Stay
Another solid and decent track where KRIT dedicates this to his late grandmother. This is a very heartfelt song, and how Krizzle brings up the relationship with his grandma is very nice. Not seen much from rappers (well, Kanye did "Hey Mama", but songs like that are rare as hell). Great song.
18. As Small As A Giant
KRIT samples an Etta James song which was previously sampled by Kanye West (in "Addiction" on Late Registration) and brings up black life issues and life in America as it is now (with a black man finally being president). Bringing up how Soulja Boy & Bow Wow came up easily when they have no talent is nice, because it makes a point about how the state of hip-hop is and how upset "real hip-hop" fans are. The beat is nice and chill, the content is interesting enough for many people to be influenced and inspired about what KRIT is rapping about. Really great of one of KRIT's greatest pieces!
19. Voices
Krizzle concludes the tape as he reflects on his trials and tribulations. Really interesting as he does this, the references are nice and the positive vibes of success is nice and great. It was good to see him trying to create a journey to where he wanted (and still wants) to go. With albums like Cadillactica being successful and praised, it was nice hearing. A skit is then followed. But forget about that, the tape is over... or is it?
The following are bonus tracks:
20. I Heard It All
On this Remastered bonus, K.R.I.T. talks about fame, signing deals, and going mainstream etc. It's really interesting, which is why many rappers like to be underground and independent. I'm not focused on the beat because the content manages to take over in my mind. It was good and the overall concept interests me, showing why it's better to create your own lane in your rap career. A solid bonus.
21. Exhibit K (Freestyle)
On the Re-Release bonus, Krizzle freestyles to both "Exhibit A" and "Exhibit C" by Jay Electronica. The freestyle is nice and going on Exhibit C first, he alright but gets better when Exhibit A comes on and he murks it. My favourite bonus on the tape.
22. I Got Drank (Freestyle)
Another freestyle to an old school Rakim song and it's alright and Krizzle does well with it. But, it's kinda weak and feels short. So, meh!
Banging beats, interesting topics, and heavy Southern vibes, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here manages to not disappoint at all. Krizzle showed that he had potential to be a great rapper and does well. With the Southern flow and feel on the tape, he does well and does his best to be original, really original. He manages not to be repetitive and too generic, especially making a lot of heartfelt/emotional songs and very serious tracks instead of many bangers that make the South what it is in the hip-hop culture. Maybe K.R.I.T wanted to go back to the "good ol' days" where it wasn't just all about the whips and Cadillacs, but lyricism (well, wasn't that what it was all about back then?). He also touches on topics other than the same ol' stuff, which can show a lot of the annoying dustheads (who can't even listen to anything new) something to be happy about, instead of thinking rap nowadays is about girls, money and cars etc. His production is nice and shows that he's a goddamn great producer, with his country style being awesome and not disappointing. I recommend a download. Krizzle manages to do well on the tape and his production and flow comes off very strong, with his originality being one of a kind.
The Furious 5ive
No Wheaties
They Got US
Children of the World
As Small As A Giant
2000 & Beyond
Honourable Mentions
Country Shit
Something
Good Enough
Moon & Stars
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