Big K.R.I.T., David Banner & More Appear in New ‘Black August Sessions’ Performance Series

Big K.R.I.T. and David Banner are among the artists set to appear in the newly launched Black August Sessions performance series, which debuted its first episode starring the Mississippi rapper on Monday (Sept. 14).

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Initiatives such as the Movement for Black Lives and the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement played an integral role in getting the series off the ground.

For Monday’s premiere episode, Big K.R.I.T. puts his rapping prowess on display with a smooth performance of his “Gotta Do It” track, which is the lead single from K.R.I.T.’s 2025 album, Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz.

“It’s not only the honor of being able to be recognized as the kind of artist that could make music to inspire people or maybe organize people to want to be a part of something that’s super important,” K.R.I.T. said.

Meeting at the intersection of culture, music and social justice, the Black August Sessions serve as an extension of the annual Black August Hip-Hop Benefit Concert, which was launched in 1998.

Following K.R.I.T., episodes will be released every Wednesday. Other artists set to take part in the series include rapper-producer David Banner, Deante’ Hitchcock, Sa-Roc, Danielle Ponder, Khujo Goodie and the Dungeon Family.

“Black August isn’t just a moment — it’s a mandate. We gather every year to remember our warriors, sharpen our minds and remind this culture that hip-hop was born from liberation, not just entertainment,” Banner said in a statement. “Black August Sessions is taking it beyond August because this is bigger than music. This is about protecting our history and building our future.”