2005–2010: Beginnings Scott previously released several mixtapes, including
Hood Fame, with DJ Wally Sparks and
The Last King, with DJ Breakem Off. He also made guest appearances on
Pilot Talk, the third studio album and major label debut from Louisiana rapper
Currensy, as well as
Kush & Orange Juice, the critically acclaimed mixtape by rapper
Wiz Khalifa. When he started branding himself, he went by the name of Kritikal, before shortening it to K.R.I.T. In May 2010, Scott released his mixtape,
K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, digitally, garnering critical acclaim. That same month, former president of
G-Unit Records and current Senior VP of A&R at
Def Jam Records,
Sha Money XL, signed him to the label as one of his first priorities in his new position. In October 2010, Scott co-headlined The Smoker's Club Tour 2010 alongside fellow rappers
Curren$y and
Smoke DZA. In November 2010, Scott
opened for
Wiz Khalifa in Baltimore, Maryland Sayreville, New Jersey Winston-Salem, North Carolina and in Ashland, Virginia during the Waken Baken Tour.
2011–2015: Live from the Underground and Cadillactica In early 2011, he was featured on the cover of
XXL as part of their annual Top Freshmen of the year, along with the likes of other rappers including
Meek Mill,
Cyhi the Prynce,
Lil Twist,
Yelawolf,
Fred the Godson,
Mac Miller,
YG,
Lil B,
Kendrick Lamar and
Diggy Simmons. In March 2011, Scott released his highly anticipated and entirely self-produced mixtape,
Return of 4Eva, featuring guests
David Banner,
Joi, Big Sant,
Chamillionaire,
Raheem DeVaughn,
Ludacris, and
Bun B. The mixtape has been acclaimed by rap critics, with William Ketchum of
HipHopDX calling it "emotive, conceptual music" and saying that Scott had given fans a "free album" – the magazine's highest praise for a mixtape. Meanwhile, Matthew Cole of
Slant Magazine highlighted
Return of 4Eva in his mixtape review column as "the best mixtape of the month," going on in a separate review to call it "the rap album to beat in 2011 ". Both critics praised Scott's production skills as much as his lyrics and flow, and both named Scott as a likely successor to
Southern rap legends
UGK,
Scarface, and
Outkast. On April 20, 2011, Tom Breihan reviewed the mixtape for Pitchfork, giving an 8.2 out of 10 and awarding it the site's coveted "Best New Music" tag. On July 1, 2011, Scott announced the title of his debut studio album,
Live from the Underground. It was originally set to be released on September 27, 2011. From October 12, 2011, until November 24, 2011, Scott co-headlined The Smoker's Club Tour 2011 with
Curren$y and
Method Man. Scott along with singer
Ashthon Jones collaborated with
Lecrae for his single "
Mayday" from
Gravity. On January 10, 2013, Scott announced his next mixtape as
King Remembered In Time. Also naming
Mike WiLL Made It as a producer on both the mixtape and his next album. He went on to indicate this mixtape and his next album would not be entirely produced by himself like his previous works, with his album not being produced by himself at all. The first single off the mixtape was released on February 27, 2013, titled, "Shine On". The song features rapper
Bun B and was produced by Scott He has also put out songs produced by
9th Wonder.
Scott (King Remembered In Time) would be released on April 10, 2013. The mixtape features primary production handled by Scott himself and guest appearances by
Wiz Khalifa,
Future,
Smoke DZA and
Trinidad James among others. On June 13, 2013, in an interview with Dead End Hip Hop, Scott hinted towards the title of his upcoming second studio album, stating that the title is featured in the opening seconds of the Intro from his debut album "Live from the Underground". In August 2013, he told HipHopDX that
Chad Hugo of
The Neptunes,
DJ Dahi and
Terrace Martin will provide some of the album's soulful production. Scott also said he has refocused his energy on his rhymes and delivery, as he allows producers to craft some of the beats for him. On September 30, 2013, Scott announced that his second album would be called
Cadillactica. In October 2013, he told
XXL that
Jim Jonsin,
Rico Love,
DJ Toomp, and himself would also provide production on the album. On April 28, 2014, he released the first single off his second album, titled "Mt. Olympus". The second single from Cadillatica, "Pay Attention" released July 25, 2014.
2016–present: 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time and K.R.I.T. iz Here After releasing twelve freestyles in twelve hours, Scott announced through
Twitter that he and Def Jam had parted ways on July 6, 2016. On October 27, 2017, Scott released his third studio album,
4eva Is a Mighty Long Time. The album marks Scott's first independent release under his Multi Alumni label, following a departure from Def Jam. It debuted at number seven on the
Billboard 200. The album was supported by four singles: "Confetti", "Keep the Devil Off", "Aux Cord" and "1999". On July 12, 2019, Scott released his fourth studio album,
K.R.I.T. Iz Here. On February 18, 2022, Scott released his fifth studio album, ''
Digital Roses Don't Die''. ==Artistry==