Venom Krew’s Vol 1 Jackin Beats – A Grime Odyssey You Can’t Ignore
Alright, let me just say this straight off the bat: Venom Krew’s Vol 1 Jackin Beats is one of those albums that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s raw, gritty, and unapologetically UK to its core. If you’re into grime—and I mean really into it—this album feels like a love letter to the scene, but with some sharp teeth. Produced under their own steam (shoutout to Not On Label), Venom Krew brings that underground energy we’ve been missing lately.
DJ N.R. Gee handles the arrangements, and trust me, he knows how to keep things moving without overcooking it. The guest feature from Skarface? Absolute fire. He slides in like he owns the mic, no questions asked. But enough about credits—let’s talk tracks because that’s where the magic happens.
First up, “Black Widow.” Oh man, this track hits different. From the moment the beat kicks in, it’s got this hypnotic vibe, kinda like walking through fog in East London at 3 AM. There’s something sinister about it, but also kinda beautiful? Like, I can’t decide if I wanna dance or just stare into space thinking deep thoughts. The hook sticks to your brain like gum on a shoe—annoying at first, then oddly satisfying. By the time the bassline drops, you’re sold. This isn’t just music; it’s an experience.
Then there’s “Serpent,” which honestly might be my favorite cut on the record. It starts slow, almost teasing you, before exploding into this chaotic blend of percussion and venomous synths (pun intended). It’s aggressive but not overwhelming, like a boxer who toys with you before delivering the knockout punch. Every bar feels intentional, every sound deliberate. And yeah, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it feels… cinematic? Like it could soundtrack a chase scene in some dystopian movie set in Hackney.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going strong. Tracks like “Anaconda” and “Virus” bring that relentless energy, while cuts like “Outro” leave you feeling reflective, even a little haunted. It’s wild how they balance chaos with moments of calm—it’s like they know exactly when to pull back and when to push harder.
What makes Vol 1 Jackin Beats stand out for me is its authenticity. There’s no glossing over here, no attempts to pander to mainstream tastes. This is grime as it should be: rough around the edges, full of attitude, and dripping with personality. It reminds me why I fell in love with the genre in the first place.
But here’s the kicker—the unexpected bit I wasn’t ready for: listening to this album felt like rediscovering old friends I forgot I had. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe Venom Krew tapped into something universal. Either way, by the end of it, I realized I’d been nodding my head nonstop for 45 minutes. That’s rare these days.
So yeah, give Vol 1 Jackin Beats a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing snakes hissing in your dreams.
