Big K.R.I.T. Interview

[Man1x]

For years, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. has been straddling the line between the mixtape world and the mainstream.

With last month's release of his first major label album, which managed a top-five debut on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart, he may have finally crossed over to the latter.

The album, titled "Live From the Underground," was originally due in fall 2011, but was delayed — and delayed again, and again — because of sample-clearance issues.

But the 25-year-old rapper-producer, who has been a hot property on the mixtape circuit for years (2010's acclaimed "K.R.I.T. Was Here" helped earn him a spot on XXL's 2011 Freshman 10 list, the magazine's annual round-up of hip-hop's top up-and-comers), held fans over by releasing the "4eva N a Day" mixtape in March.

For K.R.I.T., born Justin Scott, it doesn't matter if he's releasing a mixtape or an album, as long as the music is solid.

"I try to put the same amount of energy and quality into my mixtapes as I do my albums," says K.R.I.T., who performs at Saint Andrew's Hall in Detroit on Wednesday. "The mixtapes are the reason I was given this opportunity to put out major label albums; so when it comes to my mixtapes, I give my all. I make sure there's videos for them, there's a roll out to them, just like you do for an album."

K.R.I.T. — the name stands for King Remembered in Time — is an evocative storyteller, and "Live From the Underground" has the sort of Southern funk-soul that recalls early OutKast albums. And along with Southern rappers Yelawolf, 2Chainz, Ludacris, T.I. and B.o.B — with whom he's collaborated — K.R.I.T. has become one of the leaders of rap's Southern contingent.

His countrified productions rely heavily on samples, but he's given up the crate-digging of his early days in favor of digital sample-hunting.

"iTunes," says K.R.I.T., explaining his sample technique. "I go on there, I pay my 99 cents, and the thing about iTunes is normally when you buy a song, they give you four other records that give you the same feel."

Now that he's mastered finding his samples, he's giving himself more time to get them cleared, which is why he's already begun work on his next proper album. "I don't ever want to not be able to use a song because I didn't reach out to somebody early enough," he says. "Them telling me 'no' is one thing, but if I could have made it happen but I just needed another week? That's why I'm trying to be a little more attentive and take care of stuff earlier."

The next album will line up nicely with "Live From the Underground," he says, and all his albums will eventually form one large tapestry.

"For me it's all about making the albums fit together, even from the covers and the colors of the covers and the ideas for the covers," he says. "For me, it all has to make sense."

Big K.R.I.T.

7 p.m. Wednesday

Saint Andrew's Hall

431 E. Congress St., Detroit

Tickets $16

Call (313) 961-6358

Livenation.com

Five favorites

Big K.R.I.T. names five songs that have influenced him.

OutKast , "Liberation" (from "Aquemini")

"It's so moving. Everybody sung their parts, and it's got all these soulful components, even down to the live instrumentation. It wasn't a hip-hop song, it was just a great song. It's one of those records I can go back to, and every time it makes me feel like the first time I heard it."

UGK , "High-Life" (from "Ridin' Dirty")

"It's just one of those records that's just brute honesty. Pimp C (is saying), 'I want more out of life, I'm searching for understanding, I'm trying to keep my goals.' That record is amazing."

Bobby Womack , "Across 110th Street" (from "Across 110th Street Soundtrack")

"That song takes me to Harlem. It takes me to whatever Bobby Womack was going through at that time. It's one of those records I've always loved, and I'm always thinking of different ways to utilize it and flip it."

Willie Hutch , "Mother's Theme (Mama)" (from "The Mack Soundtrack")

"My mother is the backbone of my life. This is just a very touching record. There are no drums in it. It's all orchestrated, and Willie Hutch is just wailing in the background. It led to me wanting to make that kind of music."

Willie Hutch , "Theme of Foxy Brown" (from "Foxy Brown Soundtrack")

"It's an amazing record to me. I used it on 'I Got This.' It's remarkable, and the amount of soul he had makes it stand the test of time. I always go back to Willie Hutch for inspiration."