Search - Krumb Snatcha :: Krumbsnatcha Classics

EXCELLENT COMPILATION OF KRUMB'S BEST EFFORTS!!!

E | 02/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Real heads know about Krumbsnatcha, the supremely devious wordsmith who's also down with the Gangstarr Foundation collective. I caught wind of this insanely gifted lyricist back in 1998 when I bought Gangstarr's 'Moment of Truth' album. Krumb was featured on a song with Guru called "Make 'Em Pay," on which he verbally DESTROYED (and I mean destroyed, son) the last verse (I'm sure Guru was like, "Damn, son just obliterated my two verses."). Krumb spat so hard on this historical verse, it was given a Hip Hop Quotable in The Source that year (when the aforementioned award actually meant something). And just for the sleepy heads, that same landmark verse is featured as track 2 on this compilation-style album.



'Krumbsnatcha Classics' is exactly what the album title purports: it's like a greatest hits collection of Krumb's gems spanning guest appearances, well known singles, and tracks that are so rare, most people are likely to never hear them if it weren't for this release. I'm one of those people: I've been trying to find his debut full-length 'Snatcha Season, Vol.1' for a minute now; for those on the same quest, I hope your luck is better than mine!



Arguably, Krumb's most colossal exhibition of lyrical skill is the paramount opening banger, "Closer To God," which definitely deserved to be the first song and is a nice entrance into the album. "Closer To God" was featured on Krumb's first out of print (and extremely rare) debut album. The third track "W.O.L.V.E.S." (featuring Fizzie Wo' and Billy Danze of the Mash Out Posse) is another BANGER that's likely to break your neck your head'll be bobbing so hard. It was released about 7-8 years ago as a 12" but I was only able to hear it when I purchased this disc (it's hard getting your hands on good ol' underground hip hop in the south).



The cuts "Ask Ya Self," "Blaze," "Evil Streets," "Can't Get None," "Killer In Me," and "Jungle" were all featured on Krumb's second album 'Snatcha Season Vol.2'. The fourth track "Let's Talk About It" (featuring Jahiem) is an unreleased song that either Krumb asked Jah to be on and never released it, or something Jah used as an unreleased mix because he featured it as a Krumb-less song on his 2002 album "Still Ghetto."



Besides the first trio of songs on the album, other bangers include "Killer In Me," and the introspective "Jungle." Something many emcees lack is well-roundedness. Krumb is straight gangsta, but on "Neva Grow Up," he gives listeners a glimpse into his lighter, silly, kiddie side (this track is really good and mad funny!). "Can't Get None" features a really dope flute sample with a saxophone riff seductively lacing the background, as well as featuring Lord Tariq...remember him?...with Peter Gunz? (Interesting note: Tariq is loosely connected with the extended Wu-fam.) The last song "Rollin Dolo" is also hot! It features stuttering snare hits, a hypnotic solo Gregorian chant-like vocal sample, and the highly slept-on and underrated Gangstarr Foundation affiliates Ed O.G. and Big Shug (remember son's single "Crush" back in the day?). There are a few lackluster moments on the disc (like the crappy "Ask Ya Self") but they don't slow the album's pace at all.



This is my first Krumbsnatcha purchase and I think it was better that I bought this first. I've checked out both of his albums released last year, the mediocre and disappointing '11.19: The Rebirth' (hopefully it was a lackluster lead into his other album released in 2004) and the better but still subpar 'Let tha Truth Be Told.' Although the latter album is good, the production isn't on par with Krumb's lyricism, and in that respect, I'd say he's suffering from early Canibus syndrome: being lyrically endowed, but can't get any good beats.



If you've never heard Krumb spit, have some other things by him, or just want to get more into his stilo, this is a GREAT first Krumbsnatcha buy - I even recommend it as your first Krumbsnatcha buy if you haven't bought anything else by him. Big up to Guru's Ill Kid Records for compiling these rare and hard to find gems, making them more accessible to their audiences. AN EXCELLENT COMPILATION OF KRUMB'S BEST EFFORTS!!! Peace!"

Bostons hot ass shit

Boston Bawla | Boston, Mass | 09/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"boston is repped in this classic as krumb snatcha puts all his hits on one disc. trhis is an instant classic and its stayin in my cd player for a long time."