Big KRIT brings his Kritically Acclaimed Tour to the Howard Theatre in DC

photos: Sneakshot Photography

Big KRIT is one of the most known unknown rappers today. He is respected as a lyricist and has a faithful following, but doesn't have the album sales or radio play a lot of his peers have. KRIT takes his music seriously, whether it's producing or rapping...and he's only gotten better over the years. His latest album, Cadillactica and mixtape, It's Better This Way, show off KRIT's versatility and just how motivated he is to be recognized as one of the best rappers out. Some of this recognition will come from putting on great shows, and Tuesday night at the Howard Theatre he attempted to do that on his KRITically Acclaimed Tour.

KRIT comes out in all black, jacket and hat included. Dj Debiase, along with a drummer and keyboardist/guitarist, are already on stage playing. They open the show with the slow starting Life. As the song builds, so does the energy in the the crowd and KRIT.
One song in and the jacket and hat are gone. After a short intro, KRIT performs Kreation. Obviously he wanted to make sure he performed the new music while getting the grooves out the way before bringing on the hype music.
86 and Shakem Off get the crowd jumping and chanting. KRIT's had the impressive ability to keep his intricate flow going at a loud enough volume to be heard over the thunderous drums and Dj speakers. Often times, bands tend to drown out the artist...but this was not the case Tuesday night.
The ladies got a special shoutout as KRIT hit Pay Attention and 3rd Eye. It's a talent to be able to jump from hype to crooning and KRIT has it for sure. The crowd was there to help sing the hook and were loving every minute.
KRIT's obvious want for recognition is best shown as he yells the lyrics to King of the South. A seat now open (thanks to TI moving to the reality tv life). It's debatable, but KRIT definitely has a case.
KRIT leaves the stage and Dj Debiase proceeds to play hits from KRIT's older albums and mixtapes. The crowd is in party mode just listening to hooks. A few of the songs I wish he would've actually performed but as much energy as he was using, I understood the break.
Cadillactica rings off as KRIT returns the stage. How he raps so fast while still being audible is impressive. The song ends with the crowd helping to spell it out. Then KRIT takes it back and hits his verse from the Country Shit remix which everyone seemed to know the hook for and got excited. It was one of the biggest reactions of the night, along with 86 and a few others.
Soul Food and Angels slow things down while still keeping the crowd involved as they sing the hooks. KRIT is still all over the stage, seemingly trying to look every single person in the eye. It's Better This Way again puts KRIT's feelings on his place in the game into perspective in the most lyrical way possible.
He dedicates Party Tonight to those we've loss and you can't help but bop your head to it. Not overwhelming enough to change the mood, but makes you think as you jam.
KRIT shouts out each band member and thanks the crowd then daps a bunch of people before exiting the stage. Nobody moves and a minute later KRIT returns to the stage to perform Mt. Olympus. It's goes off and is a fitting way to end the show.
KRIT's show is definitely enhanced by the band. The bass is crazy and he was able to stay in sync with the band so it still sounds clean and at the same pace as the original tracks. I could've used a few more oldies but appreciated hearing the new stuff and rocked out. Effort and practice can easily be seen and it's still early for the tour. KRIT once again put on a great show, be sure to catch him if he's coming to your city.
Written by Toronto Alsbrooks courtesy of howwastheconcert.com