#drinking sessions

ALBUM REVIEW: Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time

As we go in to the New Year thinking of all the memories we wish we could undo and redo, one thing goes without saying: hip hop/ R&B most definitely had its way this year! From Kendrick's DAMN., Sza's Ctrl, Cardi B's headfirst jump into the industry with "Bodak Yellow," 4:44, Flower Boy, Take Me Apart, and so many others, accolades have been passed all around and with only a couple days until 2018, a girl can only sense more greatness in her midst - for music, too!

Every new year comes the shift, some things we let go, some things we tweak, and then there's good old faithful - y'all know what I'm talking about, that thing that just works, no matter the time or place. And although my New Year’s resolution is still in draft mode, there are two things I know for certain are coming with me: flammin' hot Cheetos and 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time.

The crown jewel of the south, Big K.R.I.T., dropped an album early November entitled 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time, and don't we know it!  After three years of rumored projects and a few mixtapes to keep us holding on for dear life, we've been granted TWO ALBUMS IN ONE, and in the K.R.I.T.-est fashion, both are true to his southern Mississippi roots and hip hop culture overall. As one of the most undervalued yet well-respected rappers in the game, K.R.I.T. is the epitome of “doing it for the culture.” From his significant wordplay and delivery to conscious content, he's shown just  how candid music should be! And after recently going independent, he can finally fire away at will! 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time encompasses the duality of the artist: Big K.R.I.T., the rapper, and Justin Scott, the man behind his persona. On this album, both are considered separate entities or arguably the same, but you'd have to listen for yourself to make the distinction. The first eleven tracks introduce Big K.R.I.T., the ballsy OG with a whole lot of 808 and enough southern twang to sweeten the blandest ice tea. K.R.I.T. starts off the album with a spoken word rap reminiscent of a eulogy that recalls the past, present, and hypothetical future of the artist we know and love - only this time, in commemoration of his evolution. A big part of K.R.I.T.'s agenda is pushed through his sound. Both explicit and homegrown, K.R.I.T. consistently refers to influences that gave him grit. Songs like “Subenstein,” “Ride Wit Me,” and many more resonate with the Dirty South appeal. It's the candy-painted, wood grain whippin' effect. The chopped and filtered snare and a hard bassline can be felt through subwoofers, passed down from iconic gurus in the game, from UGK to Outkast. It's about the sound and the feel as he puts it in “Aux Cord,” classic and heavy hitting. The album progresses from past through present in “Get Away.” Sampling Bettye Crutcher's “Sleepy People,” Justin Scott (Big K.R.I.T.) analyzes America's current social climate through his lens, and if you ask me, it's what he does best! Questioning social norms, societal standards, the music industry, media, and culture from the African-American perspective has been at times risky among opposing views, but Scott's ability to find the right words, as he's done on “Price of Fame” and “The Light,” is what separates him from other rappers. He simply says what needs to be said; there is no gimmick.

If at some point while listening to the album you get confused, hopefully “Mixed Messages” makes it all make sense. Justin Scott versus Big K.R.I.T. is the overall sentiment of internal conflict. It's relatable, inevitable, and something we all must go through before entering the next healthy phase in our lives. While most of us deal with it silently or amongst a few trusted loved ones, K.R.I.T. works it all out on this album. Whether it's finding love in “Everlasting” and “Higher Calling” or confronting depression and loss in “Drinking Sessions,” 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time is the ideal self-care album. It's good music; nostalgic, thirst-quenching, and just what you need for the new year!

Be sure to add this to your playlist.

Until next year.

It felt like a pinch in my chest, good thing she didn't mention the name as it would've felt heavier. "I don't want to talk about it." I stared at the dark brown liquid in my shot glass - an expensive, sweetened, flavored poison which would make certain memories go away if you drink an ample amount.

Liv lifted her feet and crossed her legs in front of her, "Aren't you gonna tell? Just a summary? The gist of it?" she picked up a small piece of grilled pork from the huge bowl in front of us. She eyed me before popping it into her mouth.

I drank from the shot glass before answering, "Short version - it was my lack of better judgement. I ignored the signs and went on with everything because it was fun and good for my ego. He's not who I thought he is, that's all."

"I knew it!" she said loudly. Mark nudged her gently, casting an uneasy glance towards me.

Despite feeling like shit, the silver lining here is my circle of friends. I suck at choosing 'decent' guys but luckily I didn't screw up in the friendship department. These people have been with me for quite some time, they were there during the happy celebratory days but even more so during the nights when I need to ugly cry at 3AM while the world quietly sleeps.

I think about Mr.Good-for-nothing-sad-excuse-for-a-human-being (I have to come up with a shorter nickname for this guy..) , I've known him for years and even when we were friends, I never really saw him with a tribe. I can name one person he's really close to but that's just about it. I don't think bandmates / scene 'cults'(?) really count if all you do every meet up is some jamming sessions, gig, few food and beer while brainstorming or licking each others' balls. We had something for 3 months but it's always bands and gigs for this guy, some old high school friends, a few drinking buddy neighbors but I didn't see any real 'bond' there. I thought it was kinda weird considering his age that he doesn't seem to have found 'his people' yet. Of course, that's another red flag I ignored.

My main circle consists of the band I'm managing and those who aren't in the music scene. They all get along really well and we bond over so many things even though from the outside, they may look like polar opposites. Not to mention my other smaller circle of girlfriends from work who I usually gossip and share memes with. I smiled at the thought of them.

"It's fine, you can proceed with your intrusive thoughts." I calmly said as I poured myself another shot.

"Nah, I dunno. Something feels so off about him. Like first time you invited him over right? I was drunk but OK not too drunk I can remember I was blabbering about Engineer guy and all yada yada.." she paused to get another pork from the bowl, she chewed slowly before continuing, "When you were sleeping, he was very pushy on his opinion like yeah you're a girl you HAVE to insist that whatever.."

Mark nodded, "And he was talking and preaching like he know Engineer guy or every damn detail about life and relationships in general."

"Like for me, hold on I only need to vent. I don't need anyone telling me what to do or debate over every aspect of what rights do I have as a girl. It's not about gender really, it's about my confusion over so many things but he missed the point entirely. he was almost judging the guy he didn't even know." Liv leaned back on the sofa after talking.

I remember my Threads post last December, he was so mad when he read all the backlash he got from the strangers on the internet. He said they don't even know him personally. He had to get verbal confirmation from someone else to say that he's not the kind of person everyone is judging him for. It's true I begged for sympathy, I went public and lashed out on him. It was the only outlet I could think of at that time. I was hurt, confused, angry, I thought I was really okay with them getting back together but when he stopped reaching out to me, all the pieces of the puzzle finally fit together and I saw the hideous picture behind the glossy facade. He's a seasoned liar and a hypocrite.

I may or may not be intoxicated by alcohol I took tonight.

I just had my fair share of gulps of local brandy and I also just finished reading Looking For Alaska. I don’t know what fucked up my brain more, the alcohol or the book. i mean I don’t know how to judge it. All I can say is that, the story kinda makes me want to hit someone’s face with a brick. I’ve never been so mad with a story before. It made me think about my life and what am I going to end up like. Am I even interested with the possibility of a “great perhaps”? All my life, I’m just the girl who always wings her way through stuff. If it’s good then it’s good and I’d say thank you. If it’s bad then I’d do something about it and if it doesn’t work, I’ll still accept what life hands to me but this book... This book fucked me up! Dammit..