Once Upon a Crime (album)

Background

Necro and Kool G Rap first announced their Godfathers project and collaboration in 2011 and released two mix CDs consisting of fifty previously released songs from the pair, The Pre-Kill Volume I in November 2011 and then The Pre-Kill Volume II in July 2012. They had initially announced that their first official album would be released in the first half of 2012, but Once Upon a Crime would not launch until November 2013. The album was executive produced by Necro and Domingo.

Reception

Once Upon a Crime received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Jay Balfour at HipHopDX noted "Most of the album’s production falls in line with Necro's penchant for the hardcore with brooding, repetitive loops carrying much of the weight. Even when both are painting violent crime narratives, G Rap’s delivery often manages to maintain its coolness while Necro is characteristically uptight and strained in comparison. Throughout the project's 18 tracks both artists let off verse after verse of convoluted raps and randomly gruesome references" but also remarked "Taken as a whole, Once Upon a Crime strikes the same chord over and over again for nearly an hour. Subject matter and dramatic lyricism aside, the beats only cement a droning effect that sets disappointingly early. Necro's fanbase will undoubtedly rush to the album as a source of more material to pore over, and for many of them, Kool G Rap will be a vaguely familiar extra. The casual fan or those keeping up with G Rap's late career output might find a handful of songs worth mining, but without a previous investment in the over-the-top style, listening through is a test of endurance. There's plenty of clever lyricism throughout, but with Necro's brand and Kool G Rap’s title long established, Once Upon a Crime is little more than another notch under the collective belt.".

Track listing