Big K.R.I.T.

Big K.R.I.T. is frustrated. The Mississippi rapper's debut, Live From The Underground, has faced repeated setbacks since he inked with Def Jam in 2010. With K.R.I.T. Wuz Here that year and 2011's Return of 4Eva, 4Eva N A Day is the third album K.R.I.T. has given away in as many years. He eloquently vents his label woes over the bluesy soul chops of "Handwriting," which is the most impassioned K.R.I.T. gets on the album. Thankfully, this sourness doesn't spoil 4Eva N A Day, which like past releases, breathes a warm, nostalgic haze steeped in Southern soul and the country rap of UGK and Outkast. Even as his production continues to improve ("Wake Up" and "Insomnia" boast live sax and guitar, respectively), K.R.I.T. frequently stoops to platitudes in his verses – the lyrics for "Boobie Miles" read as motivational poster slogans. Still, "Temptation" is classic Dirty South done right, while "Package Store" thoughtfully explores the contradictions of the corner liquor store, as K.R.I.T. describes run-ins with a crooked preacher and a jacker. 4Eva N A Day can't be held to the same standard as past releases, but it'll do until the album drops.