The Alchemist

Released: July 21, 2017

Featuring: Royce da 5'9"

Songwriter: The Alchemist Royce da 5'9"

Producer: The Alchemist

[Verse: Royce da 5'9"]
Look up in the sky and thank God that we on
We ain't die against all odds, I'll be around for eons
Adversity never bothered me none
When that 30 unload on rappers, I ain't seen none
But surely I know what's happening like Rog and Rerun
While we respect the codes, me myself I can turn the other cheek
But never bring myself to re-respect the soul
I got that young man flow, that old man glow
Grew up so damn poor, with plenty problems
Lotta drama, beef popping, no Benihana
I wasn't Conan or Rambo, I was just honoring
Going "No mama, no ma'am, no."
No allowance or Christmas gifts, no mistletoes
Up under that little blanket
Nicknaming that handkerchief Mr. Hanky
Wiping off that pistol grip
Rightfully my nickname is With-the-Shits
Like sewers under them broke lampposts
Going "No, your Honor, I sure can't go"
Niggas don't believe that I'm from OP
That's cold than a whole damn Moe
Whatchu know 'bout having beef with niggas from your street?
At war with niggas living eight doors up, it all adds up
Knocking the four-four Lambos, whoa
Daddo I'm sorry I had to take your stuff
Speeding off in that Ferrari, a Wraith or truck
License plate say 'Respect all praise or bust'
No regrets, just all faith in God's grace, no trust
All day, my policy is "Where the problem, point him out"
Fuck what y'all say
Talk's cheap, and of course, all fades is on the house
Either you with us or you in the lost way
I came to march, I make broads faint
I don't make art for the faint-of-heart, rock star
Far as hip hop, I just do my part
Over my father head in the hospital bed in rehab
Only time that I stared at a pop chart, trying not to relapse
Let's face off on a track like Emmett Till
I'm taking over like God put me in his will
I'm a friend of Bill's

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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