Respect All Fear None
label: d&d

producers: easy mo bee, dj premier, da beatminerz, curt cazal, alchemist, nottz, arabian knight, eric wes, others.

guests: gang starr, jaysaun, buchshot, craig-g, boogieman, others.
year of release: 2002
 
Back in the day, when an underground vinyl was one amongst none in the record store, Krumb Snatcha released the "Snatcha Season" EP, hot off the success of his single "Closer To God". People were initially attracted to the track that spoke about his bullet wound and life-changing experience, because of the Premo beat. But once they listened to this Boston cat rhyme, they learned that Krum' is not the "wack rapper that slacks over Premier tracks". Hence he was invited to bless "Make 'Em Pay" on the "Moment Of Truth" album, and things were looking good for the man. But it took him some years to get this album out. However with the single leading up to this, again being dope, chances are good that the audience is again listening.
The single was "What's Life" off the "D&D Project II" record. Here Krumb spits over a harsh but extra dope Easy Mo Bee beat. The hard environment suits the rhyme that speaks on evil truths like: "if there wasn't no wars, we would never know what peace is / a thug thesis / the streets is puzzles and we pieces". Proving that he's no good time rapper, he continues: "skate off in A-6 / when the 8 hits / shoulda learned to dodge bullets like the matrix / play sick and I can be the remedy / fuck offending me / cause on my block we make hot niggas memories". "Incredible" will attract folks, simply because Premo does that beat and Guru offers half of the rhyme. But under inspection you'll find out that the Premo beat is head nodding hard, but not more than an average Premo beat. The lyrics do some threatening braggadocio, giving this track even a harder edge.

tracklisting
1. Intro
2. What's Life
3. Words From The General
4. Incredible feat. Gang Starr
5. Strike Back (Closer To God Pt. II)
6. Prison Life
7. Nobody Move feat. Buckshot & Craig-G

8. Streets Is Calling feat. Mexicana
9. Oxygen feat. Boogieman
10. House Party
11. Get Down feat. Jaysaun of The Kreators
12. King Of All Kings feat. Jahdan from Nobel Society
13. Headqcourterz
14. Rich Man Poor Man
15. D&D Radio featuring Krum Snatcha (Interview hosted by Kenyatta "Sharu" Jackson)
While "Closer To God" was a touching piece on the ills that guns do, "Strike Back (Closer To God Pt. II)" is one of these not to understand cases where someone knows about the evils, but then goes to submit to 'em himself. Therefore this Beatminerz produced cut goes "since last summer I've been waiting for that very day / to catch you at the right time and let the nine spray / that shit you did got you running scared last year / moving in fear that'll appear to make your flesh tear". So while not too long ago revenge still was a concept of barbarism, it has now become a mainstream means of getting back. Just look at what all those macho politicians say nowadays. That's why this track is a sign of the times, what however doesn't mean we need to like it.
Especially as Krumb knows better. Because on "Prison Life" he speaks about the consequences. And what he expresses vividly is definitely no holiday camp, and the Curt Cazal beat is also furthering the vibe. So Krum' himself offers a reason why not to submit to all the street actions he's so often speaks about. Nevertheless he keeps his bragging and boasting violent on "Nobody Move" that has Buckshot on the hook and Craig-G spitting a verse. The Curt beat is electro static and club compatible (as is the "Oxygene" produced by Nottz and featuring Boogieman). "Streets Is Calling" does a Scarface tale, while the Alchemist beat is excellent so one of the best on here. After that the next cut to like is "Get Down" with Jaysaun of The Kreators (remember them "No Contest" cats?). And he's stealing the spotlight, as he keeps his rhetoric to punchlines. And he fits 'em in a effortless flow. The Arabian Knight beat matches this doing the track for the fun of it vibe, resulting in a good cut.
But the second excellent track is coming on later, when Da Beatminerz hook up "Rich Man Poor Man". The beat features a dope orchestra sample and Krum' gives actual advice: "some seek nirvana in marijuana escaping / this world is fleeting meeting your inner Satan / the biggest jinn lives within, Christians call it sin / I say it's ying and yang both balancing". And while we don't demand an album full of such, less thug rhetoric, no gap filler like "House Party", less of the too many spoken interludes, and more of the songs where everything comes together, then we'd be thoroughly pleased. But the way the album is now, we got two songs that can easily mingle with the best of all of 2002. We however also have a couple of songs that make this album maybe worthwhile to listen to, but only make this album good enough in a bad kind of way.
review: tadah
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