The Source recently chopped it up with Big K.R.I.T and his touring DJ Wally Sparks. K.R.I.T opens up on a number of things from, his upcoming free offering Returnof4eva, Def Jam, the status on his collaborative project with Yelawolf, touring and so much more. Check out this exclusive interview and look out this is the year of Big K.R.I.T.

The Source - Whats the overall idea behind Returnof4eva?

Big K.R.I.T. - Ya it's going to be all original. I'm going back in doing all original songs and producing the whole thing. Ya know really going hard as far as my sound and the brand of music when I say Returnof4eva. I look forward to what people think about it, you know putting the music out there. Go out and perform it. Raheem Devaugn just jumped on a record that’s going to be on there that’s crazy. Big Sant who was on "Return of Forever," the very first song on KRIT Wuz Here. Definitely reaching out to my partners, Curren$y is on the album. Working on a record, me and Smoke DZA. It's definitely going to be the line-up people are used to seeing but a family affair at the same time.It's going to be where I left off. It's a milestone at any rate, I really want to produce my major Def Jam album. Along the list of Kanye West and David Banner,guys that have done that. Just producing and rapping, it helps with writing. Coming up with ideas and concepts and spend as much time on a record and perfect it. Like painting pictures. I definitely want to brand myself a producer as much as I am a rapper.

The Source - What do you prefer, rapping vs. producing?

Big K.R.I.T. - To be honest, rapping is probably one of the things I more enjoy. I could make a beat and people could vibe to it. But in words, the poetry of it all and the topics people can relate and need that in times. Definitely the rapping aspect.

The Source - You have a great relationship with your fans, talk about relating your fans with music.

Big K.R.I.T. - I mean it’s about evoking emotion. Writing songs about things you go through every day. Emotional, spiritual, relationships, you never run out of those type of topics because its every day. To be able to put it down on paper and record it and put it out. I know someone out there is experienced the same thing or is feeling the same way. It helps with live shows because people are reciting the words because they feel it. It's just important to make music that reflects me as a human being.

The Source - Freddie Gibbs tweeted last week, "Just got some new shit from @BIGKRIT in my inbox.....2 be continued." Is Freddie someone we can expect you working with sometime soon?

Big K.R.I.T. - I think right now we’re just working on records right now. I can't say it will be on the album because I don't really want to force the song. But Freddie is definitely an artist I respect, lyrically, his song-writing and overall passion for music. This is like the very beginning stages, he's shoots me a track, I shoot him a track. Then get in the studio and collectively come up with a song.

The Source - Who are some other notable names you would want to work with on the production or feature side?

Big K.R.I.T. - Of course I want to work with Cee-Lo Green, Andre 3000, Big Boi, Bun-B, Scarface, and 8 Ball and MJG. I want to produce a whole project for 8 Ball and MJG that would be dope.

(DJ Wally Sparks) – “We’re trying to get 8 Ball and MJG in the studio on some Big KRIT production, for sure.”

The Source - What’s the status on the joint album with Shady Records latest signee Yelawolf?

Big K.R.I.T. - We’re going to get it together, immediately after I got off tour, Yela goes on tour. We both been mad busy, I know he's still working on his project. It’s going to come, everyone just has to be patient, we’ll definitely get an opportunity to do it. For right now everyone is just hard at work. I'm excited for my big bro too!

The Source - On tour you come across various cities that vibe differently to you music. In your opinion why is New York known to be so stone-faced during shows?

Big K.R.I.T. - Recently we did a show at Santo's in New York and people was loving it. The first time I got boo'd in NY, things were different. People didn't know who I was but, I went on there and did "Country Shit" and "Hometown Hero," most people don't realize they were booing before I got on stage. It was really because they were ready to see the act they came there to see. For the most part when I have a show in New York people are definitely interacting and enjoying themselves. I think now people are starting to realize when you head to a hip-hop show you going to stand there and be stone faced. I’m going to evoke some emotion out of you anyway jumping in the crowd or doing what I can.

(DJ Wally Sparks) - I think it’s more getting people familiar with the music. From a DJ perspective I notice when I play some records the crowd reacts differently in different places. I think that’s why touring is so essential, you go out and get in front of these peoples’ faces and familiarize yourself with them, they’re going to warm-up to you. You may be one place and everyone knows the words to the song, move on to the next city the next day within a 12-hour span they may know another song. I think getting people familiar with the music the more they do the greater response overall.

The Source - Talk about working on your upcoming Def-Jam release

Big K.R.I.T. - It means a lot. Def Jam is definitely hip-hop, you know what I'm saying? Being an artist from Mississippi, it's inspiring for people where I'm from. That a major label will definitely get behind you no matter where you’re from or what you’re talking about. My Def Jam major album will be released, probably third quarter of this year. Returnof4eva is just something to hold people over and remind them that Krit Wuz Here wasn't a fluke.

The Source - Readying the release, what else can we expect from KRIT this year?

Big K.R.I.T. - A lot of grinding, a lot of production there’s definitely artists that I produced for that are getting ready to come out with records. Jackie Chain, I'll probably have his first single "Yeah That's Me," featuring me and Yelawolf. Working with artists like Freddie Gibbs, Big Sant, Killa Kyleon, Curren$y. Just staying on the grind touring and putting out videos, just working.