How the ‘stars aligned’ for hip-hop producer Alchemist’s most monumental year

by

The Alchemist’s world changed when he first discovered the Beastie Boys.

The hip-hop producer, Alan Maman, explained that seeing white Jewish artists rapping and touring with Run-D.M.C. was surprising and inspiring. He added that it gave him, as a young man at the time, a sense of possibility.

Growing up in Beverly Hills, the Alchemist was always drawn to the alternative side of Los Angeles. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he explored breakdancing, graffiti art, skateboarding, and rapping – anything that allowed him to express himself and rebel. He didn’t realize then, but music would ultimately become his lifelong passion.

At 48, this artist is now a hugely influential figure in rap. For the past thirty years, he’s created a vast collection of beat-driven tracks that rappers of all styles – from Fat Joe to Earl Sweatshirt – love to use. Just this year, he’s released or is about to release several projects, including collaborations with Erykah Badu (“Abi & Alan”), Larry June and 2 Chainz (“Life Is Beautiful”), Hitboy (“Goldfish”), Freddie Gibbs (“Alfredo 2”), Mobb Depp (“Infinite”), Armand Hammer (“Mercy”), and a forthcoming album with Yasiin Bey.

On Saturday, he will make his return to Camp Flog Gnaw alongside 2 Chainz and Larry June.

The producer likes to start his day early, around 7 a.m., at his studio in Santa Monica. Dressed casually in baggy jeans, a loose T-shirt, and a pinky ring with his record label’s logo, he carefully prepares a cigarette while thinking about how much music he’s put out this year. He says this burst of creativity wasn’t planned, but just happened naturally.

The Alchemist explained it felt like increasing the speed in a video game and discovering you could play faster all along. “Once your muscles are ready, you remember what that higher speed feels like,” he said. “That’s all this has been about.”

It’s no surprise his studio is a bit messy – he’s always busy! Records from his 2024 album, “The Genuine Articulate,” and stacks of shoeboxes fill the entrance to his creative space. Inside, you’ll find his drum machine, turntable, synthesizers, and extensive vinyl collection. He’s made a point of listening to every record he owns, carefully searching for sounds to sample – he always listens to an entire album before deciding to buy it.

Stepping out of the studio, you enter a living area. The kitchen isn’t really used right now, and the counter is covered with things – jars of cannabis, collectible action figures (including one of the artist himself), and stylish sunglasses. A pile of hats sits on top of the stove, which he says isn’t plugged in. The walls are filled with awards and mementos, like his platinum records with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Fat Joe, and Mobb Deep. Hanging from the ceiling is a bicycle that belonged to Spanto, a well-known figure from Los Angeles.

The artist described his recent work as a clear step forward, saying it’s a departure from his previous style. He explained that new opportunities have allowed him to experiment and expand his creative abilities.

Over 30 years into his hip-hop career, this year has carried a series of unexpected firsts.

The Alchemist brought together surprising pairings like 2 Chainz and Larry June, and even collaborated with Erykah Badu on her first album in fifteen years. He also stepped behind the mic himself on “Goldfish,” sharing personal stories over smooth, jazz-influenced tracks – a move similar to fellow producer Hitboy. He revived his acclaimed partnership with Freddie Gibbs for a highly anticipated sequel to “Alfredo,” and honored the legacy of Mobb Deep by releasing “Infinite,” the group’s first project since the passing of Prodigy in 2017, alongside longtime collaborator Havoc.

The Alchemist paused between breaths and said, ‘Make sure you honor your brother, Prodigy.’ He explained that it was about connecting with Prodigy’s essence, believing that his spirit lived on. ‘You just need to find a way to express it,’ he said, adding that this album felt like Prodigy’s spirit was still present.

Mobb Deep played a key role in launching the career of producer The Alchemist, which is why people often assume he’s from New York – even though he grew up in Beverly Hills and now lives in Venice. The Alchemist says he met the group when they were already well-established artists. He got his first big break producing the song “The Realest” for Mobb Deep’s 1999 album, Murda Muzik. After that, they mentored him, and he went on to collaborate with other famous East Coast rappers such as Nas and Ghostface Killah.

Before becoming a successful producer, he was known as one half of the rap duo, the Whooliganz. He and his childhood friend, Scott Caan – who later starred in “Hawaii Five-O” – formed the group as teenagers in Beverly Hills and signed a record deal when they were just 15 years old.

His parents encouraged his musical pursuits, but didn’t see them as a potential career until he, as a teenager, earned his first paycheck and landed a gig opening for Cypress Hill on their 1993 tour with Soul Assassin. It was then that Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs noticed the Alchemist’s talent and started guiding him as a mentor.

The experience really showed me what was possible, and I realized I didn’t want to work at something I wasn’t passionate about, or just to make money. I’d discovered something I truly enjoyed, so I needed to figure out how to turn it into a career.”

After finishing his tour and graduating high school, he moved to New York City and began studying at New York University. With guidance from Muggs, he quickly developed from a young rapper into a talented beatmaker. Having been involved in the music scene since childhood, his early experiences continue to influence his work in the studio. He believes this gives him a unique understanding of the challenges faced by today’s young artists, which has contributed to his lasting success.

Returning to Los Angeles in the early 2010s, he connected with a new generation of rappers – including ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson, Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, and Danny Brown. Because he was more experienced, they started calling him “Uncle Al,” seeing him as a mentor figure.

I realized I couldn’t rely on my past successes forever,” The Alchemist explained. “But my earlier work created enough buzz to draw in a new group of talented artists. That’s when we started making some really timeless music together.”

Now that we’ve accomplished this, there’s someone young listening who may not be familiar with my earlier work, but who might want to collaborate in the future. Just keep fostering that connection, and hopefully, it will last.

Read More

2025-11-12 14:39