Spectacular Diagnostics

Spectacular Diagnostics is the moniker of Chicago-based hip-hop producer and visual artist Robert Krums, a veteran of the independent hip-hop landscape for over two decades. Originally producing as Earmint in the early 2000s, Krums made his mark alongside artists like Madlib and Prefuse 73 through Chicago’s seminal Chocolate Industries label. His debut solo album on EV Records earned acclaim from Okayplayer and URB and featured collaborations with Murs, Illogic, and Psalm One. In 2015, Krums reemerged as Spectacular Diagnostics, and developed a distinctive sound built from rare vinyl breaks, vintage dialogue, dusty loops, and jazzy textures. His extensive catalog spans instrumental albums and MC showcases including Raw Game, Raw Unknown, thebeautifulmusic, Natural Mechanics, and Ancient Methods. His forward-thinking production led to collaborations with UK cult hero Kid Acne, producing HAVE A WORD and HAUNTOLOGY CODES for Lex Records, alongside a catalog featuring artists like MF DOOM and Danger Mouse. In 2026, Krums became the sonic architect behind UK avant-garde rap collective Cult of the Damned’s long-awaited return LP, SIMONY. His work has been featured on BBC 6 Music, NPR, Bandcamp, The Wire, MOJO, Chicago Reader, and more.