Hey… Big K.R.I.T.‘s “Amtrak” is F**king Amazing, Here’s Why Posted by Lucas G. on 01/22/14 | Filed under Opinion, Big K.R.I.T., Classic

Right now, my music collection is in pure and utter turmoil. My hard drive essentially crashed and I lost four thousand songs, including all of "GKMC". Also, my new phone doesn't work in my car, so I can't add any new music to listen to in my car (which includes "Break The Bank") and I am heartbroken. So essentially, right now I have about five different devices, and the only thing they all have in common is the fact that they have Big K.R.I.T's "Return of 4Eva" on them. Over the past few months, that tape has become my go-to and a pillar in my musical rotation, like "Channel Orange", "College Dropout" and "GKMC". Although the genius of "Return of 4Eva" deserves its own article,I want to focus on one song in particular, "Amtrak". Why? Because it's fucking amazing.

We all know Krizzle is a beast behind the boards--"4evanaday (theme)" or "Sookie Now" anyone?-- but, though it doesn't have a perfectly chopped sample and some seriously live energy, "Amtrak" might be his  most impressive composition. As you might expect form a song called "Amtrak" the beat sounds like a train, but is more than just a "train horn" effect or some sample. Everything from the horns to the clanking combines to make an insane beat that fits the concept perfectly. The cherry on the sundae is that bass line, which subtly drives the effort. I love songs where the concept is well-thought out, well-executed and integral to the construction of the song. It drives me crazy when artists have a cool or interesting theme, but only use it in the lyrics or flow (or ignore the concept, what up RIck Ross?). "Amtrak" the train concept is in the foundation and it makes for a much more comprehensive, thorough listen.

Though the beat is the main reason why I love this song - there really isn't anything else like it - I would be remiss if I didn't discuss the vocals. The pace, timing and structure of the beat is unique, but hard as fuck to rap over; K.R.I.T just makes it sound easy. Everybody is impressed when someone can rap really fast, but sometimes rapping with a slower more deliberate, demonstrative approach is more difficult. Rapping fast or aggressively is a quick way to get people impressed but a beat like this truly tests an emcees ability to work with the beat.

Krizzle doesn't rap fast or with a whole lot of zeal, but his laid-back, slower flow is perfect; he really works with the beat, as opposed to rapping over it. When he spits it sounds like a train building up speed; he starts out slow but the flow builds and builds and he collects steam as he goes until he hits his stride with an awesome cadence. It's not just his vocals either. The female vocals give the track a touch of soul, and as Nathan so accurately pointed out, they sound straight out of an Outkast cut; that my friends is a compliment. The perfect flow for the perfect beat, I'm always amazed at how well his flow and his beats work together; "Amtrack" is perhaps the best example of this synergy and it deserves your full attention.

So theres my two cents on "Amtrak", hopefully you are already familiar and well-versed in the genius of K.R.I.T., but if you aren't, I highly encourage checking out Return Of 4eva; easily one of the best mixtapes of the last few years. I just wrote 500 words on a song that isn't even in my top three from the tape, so you can only imagine how much dopeness is in store. And yeah, I write articles on dope songs from three years ago; in the words of K.R.I.T, "I advise you to exit right now if you ain't down with it".

I know you hear this train comin....

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