Typed by: Hasheem
"Alchemist" By Jim Hamer
One of the most in-demand producers in hip-hop today is Alchemist. He combines the elements of haunting keys and explosive drums mixed with pure street heat. He is the man responsible for composing classics for the High and Mighty like "Top Prospects" and the astronomical "Open Mic Night," Royce the 5'9 's eerie "I'm the King" as well as a number of stellar joints from Battle Axe's Swollen Numbers. The Alchemist now has plans to infiltrate the industry and target all that have slept on his volatile mixtures.
The Alchemist was amazed with Hip-Hop while growing up in Venice, CA. His curiosity for the art form was aroused as he searched for a way to put himself on the hip-hop map. Still in his early teens, Al's life would change upon meeting producer QD III through his friend Evidence of Dilated Peoples fame. "Those days sparked my interest in production." he reminisces. "QD used to play a lil' somethin and ask us if we dug it. I was open to the whole art of sampling and making beats back then, basically just getting a feel for it."
The duo AL and Ev would spend their childhood making beats and feeding off each other's ideas. The first record Alchemist would put out to the public was a Dilated record called "3 MCs," developing a niche within the Expansion Team's camp. He produced the Trippy "Confidence" and would go onto make incredible beats like the mind warping "Last Line of Defense" and the bouncy "Main Event" for their first effort, The Platform in 1999.
Shortly after learning the basics, Alchemist found himself in the middle of his first tour, along with heavy hitters Cypress Hill, during the early nineties. Already having two years of production experience, he became more serious as DJ Muggs took him under his wing. While apprenticing under Muggs, The Alchemist became wicked with the ASR 10. " I first started doing work with Muggs on the Temples of Boom album. I was crashing on his couch and doing a lot of record digging. We had access to unlimited records and had a lot of fun," he exclaims.
As an artist you are affected by your surroundings, no doubt. After stepping out the shadow of his teacher, Alchemist made his move to the Big Apple seven years ago. " When I first moved to NY, the music seemed to be right in your face due to the way the city is structured architecturally. The streets of hip-hop are definitely repped to the fullest in NY," he says.
Upon his move to New York, Alchemist formed a bond with QB's finest, Mobb Deep. The Infamous set off a a starting chain reaction for the demand of Al's beats." As a producer, I always trip on the fact that at first you're a fan, and then you get to work with these heads. I remember around when Hell on Earth came out. I was going to NYU and Muggs put me on to them. That type of music is what I was forming my sound upon," he expresses. The result was arguably the best joint on the Mobb's third effort, Murda Muzik, entitled "The Realest" and featuring Kool G Rap.
Al's inventive sound would soon spread throughout the industry, particularly in the borough of Queens. In 2000, Alchemist shined, producing hits for Prodigy's H.N.I.C. opus like the seducing "Trails of Love," "Three" featuring Cormega, and the powerhouse thug anthem "Keep It Thoro." Around the same time AL would further deepen his Queensbridge family ties by joining forces with the current king of rap, Nas, to bless his QB's Finest Compilation. For this record Al anointed a cat named Mr. Challish with the incredible "Money". Soon Al would formulate the original version of "No Ideas" for Esco's Stillmatic album. Once Nas heard the same loop used on Ghostface's banger "The Watch," he decided to scrap it. Al's new mix of the song can be found circulating on a white label release.
After spreading all kinds of love, Alchemist became a household name in the rap game. He is responsible for the majority of Buc Fifty's debut plus joints by Defari, Terror Squad, Capone N' Noreaga and has contributed to Lake's 41st side Compilation. One day Al got a call from none other than Snoop Dogg himself. The D O double G summoned The Alchemist to cook up the flavoring for Tha Eastsidaz' second full length album, Duces N' Tray: The Old Fashioned Way. "Working with Snoop has got to be one of the illest memories I've had this far in the game. And let's just say that he burns it down in the studio!"
In late 2001, the spotlight was on Alchemist as he made noise once again for Dilated with "Worst Comes To Worst." Accompanied by a dope video, the single was a hip-hop highlight. "The love I've been getting for 'Worst Comes To Worst' made me realize I was on the right track to what type of sound the people want to hear," he says happily. A new remix for "Worst Comes to Worst" featuring Guru and Havoc is currently in rotation.
In addition to lacing tracks, Al and his brother Neal have established ALC Records. With projects like the Gangstah Theme Music series and Action/Drama Instrumentals, fans can now hear. Alchemist's beats all in one place. " i now have some freedom to expand on what I want to do creatively," he says. " The label is something we want to establish strictly from the ground up. Our aim is to provide quality material for the fans minus the music business bullshit. We go right to the distributors and put out what we want. No filters."
Often labeled as underground, Alchemist has been making moves on the surface. Jadakiss " We Gon' Make It" aided in getting Al's production talents showcased on MTV and on radio airwaves everywhere. The single also sparked a heated feud between Alchemist and an angry Ras Kass, who originally thought the track was his. The drama was short lived and was ultimately due to miscommunication between their respective labels.
For a man so deeply entrenched in tight production. Alchemist actually started as a rapper, circa'93 in Soul Assassins affiliated group called the Whooliganz. You can catch Al returning to his roots as he spits a few bars on his new, sonic introspective track "Different Worlds." The single is a moving piece where Al trades verses with Twin from the Infamous Mobb.
" Right now I'm rhymin' just to have fun," he says. " I was really feeling the vibe that day. Even though we are opposite individuals, the song brought us together. That's how strong the music is. Right now I'm focused on these beats and being a producer I rap because I like to do it. It's nothing really serious. I'll always be in the zone working. It's just another extension of my creativity. If I got something on my mind, I'll pick up the pen and the pad just do it, but that's not my immediate focus."
Alchemist has recently been mastering his style at the legendary D&D Studios in NYC. With producers like DJ Premier (He has his own room and Da Beatminerz frequenting there, D&D serves as the core of real hip-hop. " D&D isn't all glitzy like some other studios I know. I feel comfortable there and the atmosphere helps my thoughts unravel like a scroll. I really enjoy working with people close to me that know my language when it comes to music. The music of many of the producers housed there speaks for itself. I will always be a student in this game and working with these individuals is a blessing," says the humble beat smith.
Al says that even though he really isn't a dark individual many of his beats are tailored for the nightlife. "Many beats back in the day inspired me. The old Gangstarr stuff especially. Those beats are me right there, man." And speaking of legends. Al has been recruited to executive produce for the first time on Big Daddy Kane's new album, following the success of "The Man, The Icon."
The determined Alchemist has definitely been putting in work. He is the epitome of a freelance producer. " I had a plan a few years back when I first started getting busy, which was to simply get my name out everywhere. Now, I feel like heads know what I'm good for and what they can expect from me. They know I'm gonna come with some shit. Right now, I'm setting bigger goals and am anxious to develop different projects. you just can't keep making beats for all these different artists. I still keep it tight with these people, but I see it as a natural progression. There are certain people I'll always work with and others I'll reach out to, but I plan to oversee new artists as well." Al's plans to broaden his horizons for the future even include contributing to a Linkin Park remix album.
Recently, Al can be seen blessing Group Home frontman Lil' Dap on the nocturnal "Get It." This ill collabo first teamed up back in 1999 for the sniper-esque "Stupid Muthafuckas." Alchemist will be concocting three or four cuts on Havoc's upcoming solo album and contribute some material for The Anti-Backpack Movement, a compilation from Tru Criminal Records. At the moment, you can catch the mad scientist lending a hand to the Infamous Mobb's Special Edition. "It's the most work I've contributed to an album thus far," he admits. "The first joint is called 'Mobb Niggaz' and I'm very proud of it. We didn't have to answer to anybody and delivered a hot album." By the sounds of choice cuts like "Back in The Days" featuring Chinky and the moody "IM3" the album promises not to disappoint.
Alchemist has his music down to a science. Most important, he brings out the best in a variety of MCs and enjoys working with artist from both coasts. "Mutual respect is the most significant part of creating music," he believes. His night time sounding potions get under the skin of true heads worldwide. His sounds has no limits and caters to the grimiest individuals. Foremost, Alchemist is a fan first, so he understands what the people want to hear. " I'm hear to widen any gaps in the game and keep hip-hop gutter," he says enthusiastically. After already shattering all forms of competition, there is no telling what the future holds for The Alchemist as he continues his command of the world of hip-hop.
