Kenneth Whalum Teams Up With Big K.R.I.T. for Soulful Song ‘Away’

Robert Glasper disproved the idea that jazz is irrelevant with the success of his Grammy Award-winning 'Black Radio' and its 2013 sequel. Kenneth Whalum, III is another artist who's doing the same with 'Away,' his new single featuring Big K.R.I.T.

Whalum, who's worked with Jay Z on 'Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)' and provided arrangements for both Beyonce and Maxwell's projects, conveys a sense of emotional fragility with the floating saxophone and twinkling piano.

Big K.R.I.T. extends Whalum's musical message verbally in a verse that can only be considered hip-hop in construction; he's speaking the blues here. "My partner was a rolling stone / But he'd trade his dad's box, one room cot and a crack rock for a decent meal and a happy home," he raps.

'Away' will be included on Whalum's sophomore LP 'Through Hell & High Water,' which drops this spring. The Robert Glasper Experiment and Common, who's also working on a project to debut later this year, made guest appearances on his previous effort, 'To Those Who Believe.'

Listen to Kenneth Whalum's 'Away' Feat. Big K.R.I.T.