Big K.R.I.T.

Wisely wasting no time capitalizing on his XXL Freshman list nod, Big K.R.I.T. doesn't sacrifice any quality on Return of 4eva. Since last year's K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, the Mississippian rapper has quickly ascended to represent the vanguard of outré-ish, 808-heavy, hella derivative (in a good way!) country rap. But despite the obvious homage, K.R.I.T.'s also carved out his own niche via dimensional lyrics ("Dreamin'") and conceptual clarity ("Rotation," an ode to SLABs). Google him; his doleful brown eyes belie introspection. But, really, the best part of Return of 4eva is that it's just as commercially viable as it is a trove for rap enthusiasts. "Sookie Now," featuring David Banner, has an anthemic, made-for-the-club bounce and "Highs & Lows" oozes '70s funk blues down to the tagline "Life ain't nothin' but an EQ of highs and lows." Chamillionaire executes a brief, but gripping verse on the record's second car coda, "Time Machine," and K.R.I.T. comes off vulnerably self-aware on the cautionary "American Rapstar." Return of 4eva is the most cohesive and studied free album that will come out this year. At 21 tracks, it's long, but the "misses" aren't egregious and their only real drawback is not standing up to the obvious bangers. Play it to the end for Ludacris and Bun B on the "Country Shit" remix.