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Hailing from Mt. Healthy Glencoe, Crunch Ex AKA DarkGable, has been a force in the underground hip-hop scene since 1996. A skilled lyricist with a gritty yet thoughtful style, he dropped his first album in 2001, quickly earning respect for his collaborations and wordplay.

Ex has worked with Cincinnati legends MOOD and was featured on the acclaimed Hi-Teknology compilation. His breakout singles, “Breaking Bread” and “Broken Anglish” featuring Talib Kweli, showcased his raw storytelling and lyrical depth. He also appeared on Raw Intellect and continued to build his catalog with purpose and passion.

Currently, Crunch Ex is making waves through a series of collaborations with Premohio (aka Filthy Cleats), including the standout projects PaperBagDreams and House Money: The Album. He’s rocked stages with Slum Village and contributed to TayDilla, a tribute project to the late J Dilla.

Further expanding his repertoire, Ex appears alongside ILL Lou Minoti and MC Craig G on the track “Mathematics,” and joined forces with his partner-in-rhyme Piakhan for the Cincredible album. His versatility and authentic style also shine on “Crazeology” with Main Flow.

With more projects in the works, Crunch Ex continues to evolve, bringing sharp rhymes and real stories to every verse.