Let's get started with a link. I would be remiss to not acknowledge my disappointment with the current state of humankind. (ha! a broad but day to day truth) Exhibit A for me has to be that Rebecca Black's, ahem music video, "Friday", now has over 80 million views. Which means most of you have already seen the video, criticized the lyrical content, questioned the age of drivers licence certification validity, rhymed bowl with cereal, and admitted it was somehow a catchy car accident you couldn't help but hum and tune into. So in an attempt to embrace our incompetency, I've elected to share some of the entertainment and humour that has spawned out of this latest blip on the Internet's viral video radar. So rather than simply spew venom I'll just share Stephen Colbert's rendition of "Friday", which he performed this past Friday, April 1st, on The Jimmy Fallon. Colbert performed live alongside The Roots Crew, the result of a bet Colbert had lost to Fallon.
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/video-stephen-colbert-x-the-roots-friday-live-on-lnwjf.html
Despite all that Friday fun, the fact remains that is really the Anti-Friday, FFFIM. (You figure it out!) But unlike every other Monday of the year, this Monday sets the date for the National Collegiate Basketball Championship and it's "One Shining Moment" along with it. This years tournament has been one for the ages. No no.1s in the Final Four. No no.2s in the Final Four. A tightening of the gap, it seems, between the power conferences and those that boast the "mid majors". Despite the fact that there seems to be an admitted drop in the quality of basketball, the tournament remained as competitive as ever. And for most viewers, it is the excitement of close games, the thought that David can indeed upset Goliath, and namely competitive finishes that makes for a great 3 weeks of basketball.
So I say, even though there has indeed been a talent drain, it has been a great few weeks of basketball. And believe the talent drain is real. For example, this years tournament didn't feature future professional superstars like Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, John Wall, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and others from recent years past. You would be hard pressed to come up with a top ten of tournament players who will be cashing in big a lottery selections for the NBA in a couple months time. (Derrick Williams looked like one, would still like to see him play more but Kyrie Irving may be another) The tournament's two most talked about players Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker both have major question marks when prognosticating about theirs chances for future professional fame. Again, in spite of the fact we don't have the big NAMES I think this year we are seeing some big TEAMS.
The Final Four wasn't the only basketball tournament taking place with past weekend. We had our BNB provincial finals over the weekend, losing in the finals by 4 to a team representing the Fredericton area. Despite the loss, the weekend was a great chance to get together with old friends, rivals, etc. In the finals I managed to pull my right hamstring, which gives me a pull in each of my legs over the course of the past 2 weeks, through in an AC sprain in my shoulder and somehow I've concluded my body has given up on me. Further research suggests that I may have given up on my body first. I enjoyed a healthy career, never once getting hurt to the point of missing a game or more than a practice. I believe this to be partly the result of good luck, and partly the result of a steady work ethic and training program. In the years that have followed I play considerably less competitive basketball, but I also do considerably less to put myself in the position to succeed. That's right, laymen terms I don't stay in shape the way I used to and to this point the result was just I didn't play as good but now that my body is falling apart I'm thinking it might be time for a switch. That's right D.White, I may not have been entirely correct when I said "life is too short not to eat as deliciously as you like". Hashtag real talk. So it's with renewed dedication that I'm gonna get at besting myself, try and right a few recent wrongs that I've been burdening my body with. It's been take, take, take and it seems it's time to give,give, give, once again. It's all about harmony folks. I'm looking for mine. See ya at the yoga studio!
In music news, this past week saw the release of a few notable hip hop albums. Wiz Khalifa dropped his first major label debut and Snoop Dogg also released his first note worthy release in quite some time. I've listened to both of those bigger name releases and I will get around to writing a review on each of these soon enough, but this week another lesser name dominated the airwaves in our apartment. Big K.R.I.T. of Mississippi fame independently released his latest album this past Tuesday, titled "The Return of 4eva" or simply "R4", you can download it for free at a variety of different torrent hotspots, as well as at KRIT's own website for the album. http://www.returnof4eva.com/
K.R.I.T. begins his album with the intro titled R4 Intro, dropping a brief series of bars to get the album started off right. From the start you can feel the Southern influence on his work. The second song "Rise and Shine" reminds me of an old Outkast tune ,"Get Up, Get Out". And if you know me, then you know as far as I'm concerned Outkast is a great influence to pattern yourself after. The appropriately titled, "Rise and Shine" gets the album off to a great start as KRIT begins to show the lyrical dexterity he possess that separates him from other "also ran" rappers from the South. KRIT's lyrical quality is refreshing in an era in which hip hop has become dominated by style over substance at times. "R4" features a fluid South soul quality that shares from it's heritage but also embraces KRIT's own originality. "R4 Theme Song" comes next and features another borrowed sample of Outkast's Andre 3000's "4ever'eva". Sonically speaking, "R4" is heavy on the bass, which makes this album great for driving slow and taking in. The albums 4th offering, "Dreamin', is a contender for best track on the album. I'll post the video for "Dreamin" after the review. "Dreamin" is a catchy track that details K.R.I.T.'s rise above the obstacles he's faced on his way to this point. The following couple songs have a Third Coast feel to them of the South. One of the things I most respect about KRIT is that he makes his own beats, everything you hear on "R4" is Big K.R.I.T. "Rotation", "My Sub" and "Sookie Now" are all Southern bangers that feature heavy basslines, horns, bounce and references to woodgrain kits. The beats alone would make these songs listenable, add in that what K.R.I.T. says on the tracks is worth hearing is what separates him from typical Soulja Boy big beat, big hook 'one and done's, out of the South. Fellow Mississippi relative David Banner lends his talents on, "Sookie Now" and despite a decent verse K.R.I.T. easily outshines him here. The next song ,"American Rapstar" is a track I shared a link to on here a couple weeks back. KRIT comes with it on this track questioning the hypocrisy of being an "American Rapstar", this guys not just in it for the money, he's got ideas and creativity and this song shows it. Mix in an infectious hook and it'll get play, even if he is questioning the rap scene.
The following song, "Highs and Lows" is a bit slower than the preceding tracks suggesting life is like an EQ of 'Highs and Lows'. Kind of a take it our leave it track as far I'm concerned but those that like the slow g-funk sound will likely enjoy it. "Shake It" features Joi and sees the tempo sped up. K.R.I.T. flows effortlessly over this beat showing he can mix speeds as well as styles. "Made Alot" sees the return of KRIT's pal Big Sant over a smooth beat. "Made Alot" addresses the haters who suggest that K.R.I.T. has changed as a result of his new found celebrity. K.R.I.T. rebukes this thought, or at least those who harbour it. "Lions and Lambs" comes next and is a slower beat that explores a timeless metaphor or hunt or be hunted, only the strong survive. This track features some old school scratching and a Goodie Mobb homage bite. The next track finds K.R.I.T. asking himself what's a king without a crown? Bringing a strong soulful touch and old school feel to the song. Next up is, "Time Machine" in which Chammillionaire lends his vocals as he and KRIT reminisce over the songs, albums and artists they grew up in their cars listening to. The two artists pay respect to Southern legends the Geto Boys and UGK among others. The next track "Get Right" feels like a borrowed sample from an Organized Noise production, certainly sounds like something Outkast could spit over. This track has that old school feel, taking us back to the mid 90's, my favourite era for hip hop. This track will be getting some play as I "Get Right" for the summer. After that we have "Amtrak", featuring a catchy beat in which KRIT invites his listeners to take a ride on his locomotive. Not terrible but i think this song slightly misses the mark, not forgettable but not memorable either. K.R.I.T. follows this with Players Ballad, an undeniably Southern joint featuring voice of the South Raheem DeVaughn, on the course.
Next comes one of the albums heavier tracks, "Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed and Encouraging Racism", check the acronym. A more socially conscience effort, in this joint KRIT spits over a series of trumpets and declares his independence and individuality from the ignorance that imprisons us all. Great song. It's songs like this that give this album it's outstanding replay value as each time you listen you find another nugget of wordplay. The next track "Free My Soul" is a soulful piano laden beat that has KRIT wondering whether the material possessions of this world will be enough to free his conscience, free his soul. "The Vent" is a lot like how it sounds, starting out slow and flowing nearly acapella KRIT spits about his struggle and basically what he's going through. He does this with a sincerity that makes you turn and ear up to hear every word. He closes out the haunting track with some singing and shows his melodic qualities. And lastly the album closes itself out with a bonus track, a remix of the "Country Shit" track that appeared on his "K.R.I.T Wuz Here" mix tape. Only this time the track features major label heavy hitters, Ludacris and Bun-B. K.R.I.T. fits right in here and Luda also delivers and offering worth getting excited about. A great way to finish off a great album. I donno that this album will get enough promotion and distribution to become a game changer in itself but it may serve as final notice of Big K.R.I.T's rise before he is indeed remember as a King in the rap game. I greatly look forward to his major label debut and in the meantime I will be getting plenty of airplay out of "R4"! Check it out, you'll be glad you did.
http://www.okayplayer.com/?s=big+krit
Beats: 8.5/10 Lyrics: 9/10 Overall: 9/10
Okay that's it for today, this has been a while coming and a while finishing. Enjoy tonight's game and get that album! Let me know if you dig the album.
P
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