Live from the Underground
by Big K.R.I.T.
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2012
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 9, 2012
    78
    Big K.R.I.T.'s the metalloid conglomeration of the Dirty South ideal, a fiery rapper who recognizes the appeal for dousing an 8Ball & MJG collaboration with a hot vat of molasses.
  2. Q Magazine
    Sep 7, 2012
    80
    While other rappers struggle to maintain consistency across one album per year, Big K.R.I.T. has made his second corker of 2012. [Oct 2012, p.106]
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  3. The Source
    Aug 22, 2012
    80
    After listening to Live from the Underground in its entirety, you'll notice the album's cohesiveness and Southern harmony. [#253, p.88]
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  5. Pitchfork
    Jul 11, 2012
    71
    Live From the Underground shows that not much has changed with Big K.R.I.T. over the past two years. He's still an exceptional rapper with a befitting production style who can make some very good music. It's just that, at this point, good isn't good enough.
  6. NOW Magazine
    Jul 5, 2012
    80
    Live From The Underground is a generous, humble statement record that should ensure K.R.I.T. won't end up another label-scooped lost boy.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 22, 2012
    60
    Live From The Underground offers nothing game-changing, but is definitely enjoyable (especially on high energy jams like "Yeah Dats Me"), emulating its influences well.
  8. Okayplayer
    Jun 20, 2012
    86
    All things considered, Young Krizzle delivers.
  9. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 18, 2012
    73
    As major label rap debut albums go, Live from the Underground is a relative anomaly in that the artist seems to have escaped with most of his integrity intact.
  10. PopMatters
    Jun 15, 2012
    80
    Live from the Underground isn't quite the reckoning we might have dreamed about, but it sits comfortably beside the other great records its author has cut. Having spent the last few years following Southern rap greats, he can now take a giant step forward and confidently walk side-by-side with his idols.
  11. CMJ
    Jun 12, 2012
    80
    This is a fun, ambitious collection of songs that offers just as many snazzy aesthetic pleasures as it does dorm-room philosophy sessions.
  12. RapReviews.com
    Jun 12, 2012
    80
    In the end, I think that long time fans of Big K.R.I.T. will find the album to be well put together, but they'll still be left wanting just a bit more.
  13. Consequence
    Jun 8, 2012
    70
    Honesty and craftsmanship (and, yes, some hubris) run through the record, and the unmemorable tracks ("Porchlight", "Rich Dad, Poor Dad") are just barely so.
  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 6, 2012
    50
    It breaks very little new ground--which does have the upside of the songs sounding catchy because you feel like you've heard it all before.
  15. Prefix Magazine
    Jun 6, 2012
    75
    That he was able to keep as much of himself in the transition from the underground to the mainstream is what is admirable.
  16. XXL
    Jun 6, 2012
    80
    With Live from the Underground, through deeply authentic takes on his own life and surroundings, the 2011 XXL Freshman has found a way to create some of the most resonating, least selfish rap music around.
  17. Billboard.com
    Jun 5, 2012
    84
    The extent of K.R.I.T.'s achievement on his proper debut can be lost in the consistency of his output, but it is a stirring triumph nonetheless.
  18. Rolling Stone
    Jun 5, 2012
    70
    As on his mixtapes, this lovable throwback evokes his down-home life and day-to-day grind over the playacadillistic grooves of vintage Outkast and UGK.
  19. HipHopDX
    Jun 5, 2012
    90
    The album is brimming with peerless content and an enlivened ambience that is manifested from his spoken word introduction to his grandmother's parting words on the closing track.
  20. The A.V. Club
    Jun 5, 2012
    67
    [A] competent, if rarely distinguished, major-label debut.
  21. AllMusic
    Jun 5, 2012
    70
    Live from the Underground winds up both an easy introduction to the man's talents and a crowd-pleasing effort with no stale sell-out aftertaste.
  22. DJ Booth
    Jun 1, 2012
    80
    Ultimately, Live From the Underground may not be K.R.I.T.'s best album yet, for more that'd be ReturnOf4Eva, but that's like saying Michael Jordan's fourth championship was the "best" of his six titles.
  23. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 1, 2012
    91
    Live From the Underground is the best distillation of the South since OutKast's rule-rewriting heyday.
  24. Exclaim
    Jun 1, 2012
    90
    Live from the Underground is the best Southern rap record since Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot dropped two summers ago.

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Most Discussed Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
  1. NJR
    Jun 6, 2012
    9
    This album is being criminally under rated by critics and fans across the internet, the production sonic genius, every single instrument isThis album is being criminally under rated by critics and fans across the internet, the production sonic genius, every single instrument is used to perfection and the whole thing comes together beautifully, after a day or two of listening I would have put it on par with R4 but after a solid week it's now surpassed even that, you really need to take time and listen to every note, line and key. I will be playing this album for years to come and I also have no doubt he will go on to create even better LP's.… Full Review »
  2. BrokeBong
    Jun 6, 2012
    10
    Simply incredible. I haven't heard an album with this amount replay value in a real long time, and that goes across all genres. This masterfulSimply incredible. I haven't heard an album with this amount replay value in a real long time, and that goes across all genres. This masterful debut reminds me of other notable first albums by rap artists, like Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Notorious B.I.G's Ready To Die, the effort displayed on this record by K.R.I.T is irrefutable, and a testament to the fact that there isn't harder working rapper in the game. This record goes into my collection alongside all of my other rap favorites, and will definitely come to define my Summer. 10/10 because I wish all of my favorite rap artists put out music on this level.… Full Review »
  3. thugnificent2
    Mar 30, 2013
    8
    the beats are great, but need less poppy sounds at times. the first few songs are gold, while the last few are hit or miss. only listen ifthe beats are great, but need less poppy sounds at times. the first few songs are gold, while the last few are hit or miss. only listen if you're a fan of krit… Full Review »
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