K.R.I.T. says he “ain’t drawn to all this propaganda,” on his latest single. / Def Jam Recordings
From atop “Mt. Olympus,” Big K.R.I.T. has spoken, and he ain’t happy.
On K.R.I.T.’s “Mt. Olympus,” an advance single from his upcoming Def Jam album “Cadillactica,” the Southern rapper addresses the supposed diss by Kendrick Lamar on the Big Sean track “Control.”
Lamar took swipes at rappers K.R.I.T., Drake, Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mills and others on the track, which is essentially a throne grab.
Yet, “it wasn’t a diss,” says K.R.I.T. of “Control.” “Hip-hop is competitive … it’s a hip-hop record at the end of the day and some people view the song differently, but for me I took the time and put the song into perspective and I’m turning a negative into a positive.”
Instead, K.R.I.T. directs his wrath at the machinations of a music industry that routinely pits performers against each other. He sublimely delivers his “Olympus” rhyme with bite, a statement of resistance against the vicissitudes of hip-hop.
“I ain’t drawn to all this propaganda,” K.R.I.T. rhymes on “Olympus,” “rap s— about as real as Santa.”
K.R.I.T., an acronym for “King Remembered In Time,” was born Justin Scott in Meridian, Mississippi. He also takes a shot on “Olympus” at the sometimes second-class citizenship of Southern rappers.
“In a small city, it’s hard to get exposure because you have to travel so much and a lot of people don’t have the means to travel,” he says. “If you don’t have a label in your backyard, it’s hard to get your music to the mainstream. If you’re in a big city it’s a little easier. Traveling from state to state gets you out of your comfort zone.”
How did K.R.I.T. do it?
“A lot of prayer,” he says. “Something pushed me forward. This music thing, it’s a marathon.”
Upcoming shows
Monday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m.
TLA
334 South Street, Philadelphia
with Two-9 and Ryshon Jones
$27
215-922-1011
www.livenation.com
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m.
Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th St., New York City
with Two-9
$25 to $55
212-414-5994
www.highlineballroom.com
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 8 p.m.
Middle East
472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts
with Two-9
$20
617-864-3278
www.mideastoffers.com
