by Alex Shtaerman
Boston native Krumbsnatcha has kept the underground abuzz since the late 90’s. While dropping street gems like The Snatcha Season EP (1997) and Snatcha Season Pt 2 (2000), Krumb has been keeping busy in the studio working with the likes of DJ Premier, Da Beatminerz, Easy Mo Bee, Pete Rock and The Alchemist, to name a few. For those that don’t know, Krumbsnatcha is also the first independent rap artist ever to get a Hip-Hop quotable in The Source; recognized for his verse on Make Em Pay from Gangstarr’s highly classic Moment Of Truth LP. Nourished by the Gangstarr Foundation, like Jeru The Damaga, Group Home and M.O.P. before him, Krumbsnatcha has gained respect inside Hip-Hop’s most sacred circles and continues to gain momentum in his quest to put Boston on the map.
Krumb’s latest full length effort Let The Truth Be Told is the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2002 debut Respect All Fear None. Let The Truth Be Told, which drops October 12th, features nineteen tracks with appearances by Ghostface Killah, Styles P and Guru as well as production from Nottz, Scram Jones and Emile, among others. If Krumbsnatcha’s previous releases serve as any indication, Let The Truth Be Told promises to be nothing short of another street-hop classic.
RIOTSOUND.COM: How long did it take you to finish your new album?
KRUMBSNATCHA: It was about a month and some change; we did over forty something songs, so we had to narrow it down.
RIOTSOUND.COM: As far as the name – Let The Truth Be Told – what is that meant to signify as far as the content of the record?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Basically it’s meant to signify that – what I am putting out there – I am going to counter all of the things that’s being said and that’s about to be said; or whatever the situation is – I’m just basically trying to let people understand me more as an artist and as a person – the whole.
RIOTSOUND.COM: On your album there are several references to the conflict our country is presently engaged in. With all that is going on, is this a good time for artists to come out and be more political with their content?
KRUMBSNATCHA: I actually think this is a great time for artists to be a part of the political arena man. Because nothing is being said about the political decisions that’s affecting people’s lives. So I think that’s the right of an artist to stand up and say certain things. Instead of blinding the people and the culture by talking about diamonds and all that extra shit and meanwhile there is things that are going on that’s affecting people’s lives that need to be spoke on.
RIOTSOUND.COM: Is there a void in Hip-Hop music today as far as artists who are saying anything on a relevant political level?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Absolutely; nowadays people are just thinking about it on a monetary level as far as what this game can bring them; but you also gotta think – in a way we are like prophets and messengers and we need to bring that message to the things that are relevant and the things that are going on in our lives.
RIOTSOUND.COM: A lot of great MCs are featured on your new album; who was somebody you really enjoyed working with?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Definitely Styles P man, I like the style, I like his personality; great dude, he came out to the video shoot and showed love, all that man. I thought he was a great dude. Good person but also he a street cat and he do his thing and it was an honor to do a song with a brother like that.
RIOTSOUND.COM: Before you actually started rapping who were the people that you were a fan of that really influenced you as far as gettin’ in the game?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Gangstarr, for one; Rakim, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Nas, Pac, Biggie, all of them brothers man. It reflects in my flows somewhat and they all influenced my life as far as this whole Hip-Hop situation go.
RIOTSOUND.COM: You were the first independent artist to have a Hip-Hop quotable in The Source; does that mean anything as far as whether you were truly recognized? Also, do you feel that rap media tends to overlook independent artists?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Well, for one it was an honor to be the first independent artist to get a Hip-Hop quotable. But on the other side of that I don’t think a lot of the independent artists are recognized on a larger scale like the majors. I think a lot of independent artists are actually better than the artists that’s on the majors. But we are not on an even keel as far as promotion and exposure.
RIOTSOUND.COM: Let The Truth Be Told will be released by Golden Eyes Entertainment. What’s the new label all about?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Basically Golden Eyes started through my homeboy that I grew up with since the eighth grade. We had came to the table originally to do some investment situations for the label I was creating called Wolves Entertainment. So what happened is they said – instead of us investing in your company – let us give you a deal. So I was all for it; they came to the table with a good deal and from here we are going to get it poppin’.
RIOTSOUND.COM: What do you have planned in the months ahead?
KRUMBSNATCHA: I am working on another project with one of my homeboys from Florida. His name is Styx. We working on a project called The Xperiment. Right now I am in Florida recording that. Also, I am promoting Let The Truth Be Told with a radio and promo tour and also other appearances to push the album out.
RIOTSOUND.COM: What area of Boston are you from originally?
KRUMBSNATCHA: I am from an area called Lawrence but I grew up in numerous areas in Boston area.
RIOTSOUND.COM: How did you get the name Krumbsnatcha?
KRUMBSNATCHA: It actually came from my family. My mom and my uncle used to call me little crumb snatcher ’cause I would always be running around and in some type of mischief. So they used to call me that and I thought the name was unique so I just took it and ran with it.
RIOTSOUND.COM: If you never got into rapping, what do you think you would be doing right now?
KRUMBSNATCHA: Oh man, I don’t even want to get in to that; I probably be who knows where. Maybe something positive though, you never know man. Rap pretty much saved my life and gave me a new turnaround. I appreciate the music and I appreciate what its done as far as changing my life around and I also I appreciate the fans.
RIOTSOUND.COM: Besides Let The Truth Be Told, what should the fans be looking out for?
KRUMBSNATCHA: I got three mixtapes that are already out in the streets that fans can check out; one is called Hate Me More, the other one is called K.S. The Rebirth and then I got Krumbsnatcha Classics which was put out by Gangstarr. So check those out and like I said, I got another project called The Xperiment which will be out sometime in the summer of next year.
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