The Alchemist

Released: July 17, 2012

Featuring: Action Bronson

Songwriter: The Alchemist Action Bronson

Producer: The Alchemist

[Method Man and Redman Sample]
...and have a blast, ayo

[Verse 1: Action Bronson]
It be that Queens kid with the face of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
I play the part, smoke the white shark
My mind sharp like a shape up from Dominican's
There's no confession, when I'm sinning fucking cinnamon women
Rocking double colour linen from the beginning
I see a lot of youth's pretending, better watch who you be befriending
My shit's profound, I shoot the pistol with the whistle sound
And catch the shell before it hit the ground
Then peel off just like the skin of the pepper
Or the jacket that I'm rocking, cause I'm twisted in leather
Don't get it twisted, keep the biscuits hot, chickens and cheddar
Getting fly just like the shit with the feathers
You could be laying face down if you so choose
I leave you covered in the blanket, man, you old news
I'm from the place where kids'll shank you for some cold shoes
Half out the pocket with the hanky on the boat cruise, it's me

The Alchemist is a rapper and DJ on top of being one of the most prolific producers in hip-hop who is known for his eclectic beats. Al’s sample-heavy style has been associated with an East Coast sound even though he reps the West Coast, but he has worked with rappers from every region of America—including Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, and Eminem among others.

At 14 years old, Daniel Alan Maman from Beverly Hills, California entered the rap game as Mudfoot, one-half of The Whooliganz with actor Scott Caan in 1991. He also grew up with Evidence from Dilated Peoples and produced the crew’s debut single “Third Degree” in 1997. Al was mentored by Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs, who taught him production techniques and later introduced him to Mobb Deep. Al’s early productions on Mobb Deep’s Murda Muzik album in 1999 began to grow his profile, which took off after the popularity of his production on the 2001 Jadakiss hit “We Gonna Make It.”

The Alchemist has been involved in many projects over the years. He released two compilations—2004’s 1st Infantry and 2009’s Chemical Warfare—a number of instrumental albums, mixtapes, as well as collaborative albums with Prodigy and Havoc of Mobb Deep, Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs, Action Bronson, Oh No (as Gangrene), and Evidence (as Step Brothers) to name a few. Al has served as a DJ for Eminem and Action Bronson shows, and Al has also been a frequent guest on Action Bronson’s Viceland food show Fuck, That’s Delicious. Al used vocal samples from the show throughout his 2020 album The Food Villain.

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