4eva Is a Mighty Long Time is the third studio album by American rapper Big K.R.I.T., released on October 27, 2017, through Multi Alumni and distributed by BMG Rights Management. A double album, it is his first full-length release since his departure from Def Jam in 2016. The album features guest appearances from T.I., Lloyd, Bun B, Pimp C, CeeLo Green, Sleepy Brown, Joi, Jill Scott, Keyon Harrold, Bilal, Robert Glasper, Kenneth Whalum and Burniss Earl Travis II. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time was supported by four singles: "Confetti", "Keep the Devil Off", "Aux Cord" and "1999". The album charted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, and received generally positive reviews from critics.
Singles
The album's first single, "Confetti", was released on September 28, 2017. The album's second single, "Keep the Devil Off", was released on October 6, 2017. The album's third single, "Aux Cord", was released on October 20, 2017. The album's fourth single, "1999" featuring Lloyd, was released to urban contemporary radio on February 6, 2018.
Critical reception
4eva Is a Mighty Long Time was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 80, based on seven reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.2 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. Album of the Year assessed the critical consensus as 82 out of 100, based on eight reviews. Emanuel Wallace of RapReviews gave the album a near perfect score, stating "Big K.R.I.T. does a good job of separating the two personas at the end of the day. If the album was about 5 or 6 minutes shorter, it could have fit on a single disc but perhaps at the expense of the narrative. The double disc format really helps to drive home the point when the listener wants to switch from Big K.R.I.T.'s "Get Away" to Justin Scott's "Keep the Devil Off"." Aaron McKrell of HipHopDX gave a positive review, stating "It does highlight Justin Scott and Big K.R.I.T. in their truest essence; spiritual, witty, and loyal to Mississippi, with overly soulful, southern production. Thanks to 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time, Justin Scott has once and for all ensured that his musical legacy is worth remembering." Kyle Mullin of Exclaim! stated: "There are plenty of other highlights to be raved about in 4eva Is a Mighty Long Times massive tracklist. Do yourself a favour: pick up this LP and immerse yourself not only in its impressive breadth, but also its practically unparalleled depth." Clayton Purdom of The A.V. Club said, "The tough, chest-beating first disc gives way to a second disc that's just a little too fond of syrupy interludes. But as with his other releases, K.R.I.T.'s signature sincerity reigns supreme." Matthew Ismael Ruiz of Pitchfork noted, "Subwoofers are admittedly very cool, but by volume 4 of K.R.I.T.'s magnum opus of adulation for the bass speakers, the conceit has worn a little thin. Still bumps, though." Paul Simpson of AllMusic wrote: "4eva Is a Mighty Long Time is a mighty long album, at 20 songs and two brief skits, but K.R.I.T. clearly has a lot to say, and he expresses it with vigor and passion on this ambitious work."
Accolades
Commercial performance
4eva Is a Mighty Long Time debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 with 33,000 album-equivalent units, of which 21,000 were pure album sales. In its second week, the album fell short to number 45 on the US Billboard 200, selling 12,000 equivalent album units.
Track listing
Track notes
"Big K.R.I.T.", "Get Away" and "The Light" features additional vocals by Rolynne Anderson
"Bury Me In Gold" features additional vocals by Angie Fisher, Jason Morales and Nikki Greer
Sample credits
"Get Away" contains a sample of "Sleepy People", written and performed by Bettye Crutcher; and an interpolation of "Get Your Roll On", written by Byron Thomas and Bryan Williams, and performed by Big Tymers.
"Drinking Sessions" contains replayed elements from "I Let Love Slip Away", performed by David Ruffin.
