Metal Lungies

The pride of Bed Stuy, Von Pea, has been holding out on us. The rapper/producer from Tanya Morgan has doled out some of the best albums and mixtapes this side of 2003. But he’s never given us anything like this. While Tanya Morgan was rocking the Move Forward Music showcase at SXSW, ML’s DJ01 tore apart their bus and found a disc containing a track that elevates Von Pea above mortal MCs.

Von summons the demons of his childhood, lays bare his deepest insecurities, and soars at his dreams in a bone-chilling hip-hop bildungsroman. And what the hell is the sample 9th Wonder found to bless Von with? I’m calling it: this is the new holy grail of crate digging. Word is, Jay-Z passed on this beat for American Gangster. His loss. Fans will cite “My Life” when Von replaces Jay in their top five.

It’s hard to dislike Big K.R.I.T. The blog-favorite turned Def Jam signee is endlessly humble (watch the video for “Dreamin'” below where he plays a school janitor) while still capable of mustering the gusto for heat like “Sookie Now” with David Banner. He wears his influences (Organized Noize, UGK) on his sleeve and he appreciates a good sample. Even if a mild-mannered Mississippi rapper isn’t your thing, K.R.I.T. pulls you in with big, beautiful, engrossing beats full of guitars, strings, and all kinds of analog love. And it’s free. There’s no reason to miss ReturnOf4Eva.

Download: Big K.R.I.T. – ReturnOf4Eva

via ReturnOf4Eva

Watch the video for Dream’ after the break.

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