Big K.R.I.T.Cadillactica
Def Jam

- Mississippi born and raised Big K.R.I.T. has cemented himself as one of the most consistent and likeable rappers ever since the day he dropped his wonderful debut mixtape four years ago. Since then the country rap upstart has released several other high calibre mixtapes, establishing himself in the underground while struggling to find much cross-over appeal. K.R.I.T. has been openly frustrated with the current state of hip-hop and his inability to garner any real traction, going against the norm.

Despite having a tonne of album quality music to his name, Big K.R.I.T.’s latest record Cadillactica is only his second studio record. It also marks the first time, to my knowledge, that K.R.I.T. hasn't had total control behind the boards. This relinquishing of power is a big step out of his comfort zone, the starting of a new chapter and a chance to try and find that all important balance between moving units and making satisfying music.

Cadillactica is delivered as a loose concept record about a planet of the same name that seems to exist in Big K.R.I.T.’s mind, but still a world not so unlike our own. Here K.R.I.T. rides around in a beat up Cadillac and gets bummed out about things and then uses this as the fuel to inspire both the listener and himself. He raps wisdom for us to employ on our own space planets, in our own minds. Luckily K.R.I.T. doesn’t go over the top with the theme, but with his everyman's touch, in the best way, he'd be hard-pressed going over anyone’s head.

On Cadillactica Big K.R.I.T. finds himself in top form. His soulful, southern flow is captivating. His lyricism is in drenched in reflection and social awareness. His voice is warm, determined, even driven: at times K.R.I.T. sounding like he’s right at the end of his tether. For all that this is a concept record of abstract country rap it's very hard not to like. There's very little compromise here and despite stepping back from creative control of the production, the record sounds rich and fleshed out: a very successful and only slight deviation from his trademark country rap sound that few are doing as well, hell few are even doing at all in modern rap music.

Big K.R.I.T. has walked that very fine line between increaing radio friendliness and staying firmly in touch with his roots. This record solidifies K.R.I.T.'s position as a serious player in the rap game and a very welcome addition to the more mainstream hip hop culture -one even equipped with a conscience and moral code- and heck, to cap it off he doesn't feel the need to preach and shove it down anyone's throat . Cadillactica is the culmination of years of struggle, a journey strewn with great records which has led to Big K.R.I.T.’s crowning achievement to date.

- Jay Edwards.

Big K.R.I.T.Cadillactica

Chris CobcroftNew Releases Show

Slowdiveeverything is alive

Schkeuditzer KreuzNo Life Left

Magic City CounterpointDialogue

Public Image LimitedEnd Of World

SejaHere Is One I Know You Know

DeafcultFuture of Illusion

CorinLux Aeterna

FingerlessLife, Death & Prizes

Jack LadderTall Pop Syndrome

LIVE
100