Big K.R.I.T.

Big K.R.I.T.
Background information
Birth name	Justin Scott
Born	(1986-08-26) August 26, 1986 Meridian, Mississippi, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, record producer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Cinematic Music Group Def Jam Nature Sounds RBC Records
Associated acts	Bun B B.o.B Curren$y Ludacris Smoke DZA Yelawolf Wiz Khalifa
Website	bigkrit.com/home

Justin Scott (born August 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Big K.R.I.T., is an American rapper and record producer from Meridian, Mississippi. He is currently signed to Cinematic Music Group.

Life and Career

2005–2010: Career beginnings and K.R.I.T. Wuz Here

K.R.I.T. previously released several mixtapes, including Hood Fame, with DJ Wally Sparks and The Last King, with DJ Breakem Off. He also made guest appearances on Pilot Talk, the third studio album and major label debut from rapper Curren$y, as well as Kush & Orange Juice, the critically acclaimed mixtape by rapper Wiz Khalifa. When he started branding himself, he went by the name of Kritikal, before shortening it to K.R.I.T.^[1]

In May 2010, Big K.R.I.T. released his mixtape, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, digitally, garnering critical acclaim.^[2] That same month, former president of G-Unit Records and current Senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records, Sha Money XL, signed him to the label as one of his first priorities in his new position.^[3][4]

In October 2010, K.R.I.T. co-headlined The Smoker's Club Tour 2010 alongside fellow rappers Curren$y and Smoke DZA.^[5] In November 2010, K.R.I.T. opened for Wiz Khalifa in Baltimore, Maryland Sayreville, New Jersey Winston-Salem, North Carolina and in Ashland, Virginia during the Waken Baken Tour.

2011–2012: Return of 4Eva and Live from the Underground

In early 2011, he was featured on the cover of XXL as part of their annual Top Freshmen of the year, along with the likes of other rappers including Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill, Cyhi the Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred the Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons.

In March 2011, Big K.R.I.T. released his highly anticipated and entirely self-produced mixtape, Return of 4Eva, featuring guests David Banner, Joi, Big Sant, Chamillionaire, Raheem Devaughn, Ludacris, and Bun B. The mixtape has been acclaimed by rap critics, with William Ketchum of HipHopDX calling it "emotive, conceptual music" and saying that Big K.R.I.T. had given fans a "free album" – the magazine's highest praise for a mixtape.^[6] Meanwhile, Matthew Cole of Slant Magazine highlighted Return of 4Eva in his mixtape review column as "the best mixtape of the month," going on in a separate review to call it "the rap album to beat in 2011 ".^[7][8] Both critics praised Big K.R.I.T.'s production skills as much as his lyrics and flow, and both named K.R.I.T. as a likely successor to Southern rap legends UGK, Scarface, and Outkast. On April 20, 2011, Tom Breihan reviewed the mixtape for Pitchfork, giving an 8.2 out of 10 and awarding it the site's coveted "Best New Music" tag.^[9]

On July 1, 2011 Big K.R.I.T. announced the title of his debut studio album to be, Live from the Underground. It was originally set to be released on September 27, 2011.^[10] From October 12, 2011 until November 24, 2011 K.R.I.T. co-headlined The Smoker's Club Tour 2011 with Curren$y and Method Man.^[5] Big K.R.I.T. released Live from the Underground June 5, 2012 to tremendous expectancy. It debuted at number one on the Hip And R&B and Rap Charts. He released his first single off the album titled, "I Got This" on May 7, 2012. He went on the "Live from the Underground" tour, which he headlined along with Slim Thug. In an interview on Bootleg Kev's radio show, on August 10, 2012, he confirmed that he and fellow Southern rapper Yelawolf were working on a collaborative album entitled Country Cousins. During the same interview, he was also asked about his favorite rappers, to which he responded, "Scarface. Man, I need these people in groups. Can I put the rest as a group? Outkast, UGK and 8Ball & MJG. That's what my iTunes consists of."^[11] Big K.R.I.T. along with singer Ashthon Jones collaborated with Lecrae for his single "Mayday" from Gravity. Gravity won Best Gospel Album in the 2013 Grammy Awards.^[12]

2013–present: King Remembered In Time and Cadillactica

On January 10, 2013, Big K.R.I.T. announced his next mixtape as King Remembered In Time. Also naming Mike WiLL Made It as a producer on both the mixtape and his next album. He went on to indicate this mixtape and his next album would not be entirely produced by himself like his previous works, with his album not being produced by himself at all.^[13][14] The first single off the mixtape was released on February 27, 2013 titled, "Shine On". The song features rapper Bun B and was produced by K.R.I.T.^[15] He has also put out songs produced by 9th Wonder. K.R.I.T. (King Remembered In Time) would be released on April 10, 2013. The mixtape features primary production handled by KRIT himself and guest appearances by Wiz Khalifa, Future, Smoke DZA and Trinidad James among others.^[16]

On June 13, 2013, in an interview with Dead End Hip Hop, Big K.R.I.T. hinted towards the title of his upcoming second studio album, stating that the title is featured in the opening seconds of the Intro from his debut album "Live from the Underground".^[17] In August 2013, he told HipHopDX that Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, DJ Dahi and Terrace Martin will provide some of the album's soulful production. K.R.I.T. also said he has refocused his energy on his rhymes and delivery, as he allows producers to craft some of the beats for him.^[18] On September 30, 2013 Big K.R.I.T. announced that his second album would be called Cadillactica. In October 2013, he told XXL that Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, DJ Toomp, and himself would also provide production on the album.^[19] On April 28, 2014, he released the first single off his second album, titled "Mt. Olympus".^[20] The second single from Cadillatica, "Pay Attention" released July 25, 2014.^[21] In an interview with HipHopSince1987, Big K.R.I.T. revealed a November 11 release date for Cadillactica.^[22]

After releasing twelve freestyles in twelve hours, K.R.I.T. announced through Twitter that he and Def Jam had parted ways on July 6, 2016.^[23]

K.R.I.T. has stated that his favorite rappers to record and perform with are Bun B, Big Sean, Smoke DZA, Wiz Khalifa, and Curren$y.^[1] He released It's Better This Way on October 14, 2015.

After releasing #12FOR12, K.R.I.T. released "Free Agent" on Sway in the Morning.^[24]

Discography

• Live from the Underground (2012)
• Cadillactica (2014)

See also

• African Americans born in Mississippi

References

External links

• Official website
• Big K.R.I.T. at AllMusic
• Big K.R.I.T. discography at Discogs
• Big K.R.I.T. on Facebook
• Big K.R.I.T. discography at MusicBrainz
• Big K.R.I.T. on Twitter
  
• Vibe – A Day In The Life Of... Big K.R.I.T.