ACL Music Fest Saturday Reviews

Big K.R.I.T.

Southern pride ain't no joke. A Mississippi MC whose style bites big on Memphis speed, UGK sauce, and David Banner's snarl, 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. Thus, second LP Live from the Underground arrives with every southern accent in tow: crescendo horns and soulful keys on "Cool 2 Be Southern," emotive tracks glorifying hustle ("Don't Let Me Down"), and over-the-top Ludacris guest spots ("What U Mean"). There's even a Bun B guest spot that finds the Texas king preaching on the subjects of pimping, wood grain wheels, and the Bayou City ("Pull Up"). It's a lot at 17 tracks, but anybody with depth to put a jam as exciting as "Yeah Dats Me" in the closing third has Dirty South-certified license to go long. (3pm, Honda stage)