Big K.R.I.T. - KRIT Wuz Here

It's a funny thing about this down south shit. Historically, rappers that happen to hail from the southern states get lumped into a conception of the region that's limited to instructional dance songs and gloriously ignorant anthems about cars, money and alcohol. But five or so years into the Dirrty's domination of the genre, it's become increasingly difficult to hold on to such a limited worldview. The South is as diverse in its artists as the nation at large: Bonafide hustlers, introspective soul stirrers, progressive creative types - if you can name it, the South is doing it and doing it well. 

Big K.R.I.T. may be the first young rapper of this generation to thoroughly exploit this heritage. Just as Drake emerged as a particularly adept student of superstars like Kanye and Lil Wayne, K.R.I.T. is a genius with a facile ability to evoke country luminaries like Pimp C, David Banner and Scarface. But he doesn't stop there, in a weird way, his predilection for pondering openly over thick soul sounds makes K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (especially the second half) sound like a Common album. And that's not even mentioning the nods to disparate crews like Heiroglyphics and Goodie Mob on tracks like "No Wheaties" and "2000 and Beyond." 

Of course, the evocation of classics does not a classic make. But considering the sheer scope and obvious talent represented by KRIT's amalgam, its mere existence is an original wonder all its own. He produced this album himself - a remarkable feat considering he's a natural emcee. The only thing that would be more remarkable is if he became famous for it. Gotta watch them country boys.