The Alchemist (musician)

The Alchemist
Birth name	Alan Daniel Maman
Born	(1977-10-25) October 25, 1977
Origin	Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Record producer, rapper, DJ
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Decon, Shady, ALC
Associated acts	The Whooliganz, Gangrene, Action Bronson, Eminem, Prodigy, Yelawolf, Dilated Peoples, Curren$y, Domo Genesis, Durag Dynasty, Oh No, Roc Marciano, Soul Assassins, Evidence

Alan Daniel Maman (born October 25, 1977), better known as The Alchemist (or simply, Alchemist), is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper, who hails from Beverly Hills, California. After rising to prominence in the late 1990s as a close associate of Dilated Peoples and Mobb Deep, he went on to produce for many of hip hop's leading artists in the 2000s, and has been hailed as one of the genre's leading producers. He is currently working as a DJ with Eminem and is also signed to his label Shady Records as a producer. His earlier nickname was "Mudfoot", in the times of The Whooliganz. Alchemist is producing the original score for the new highly anticipated game "Grand Theft Auto 5" which is coming out in September 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Early

Alan was born to Jewish parents in Beverly Hills, California, and his father is of Israeli descent. As a teenager, Al began to identify strongly with the rebellious lyrics and urban sounds of hip-hop, and he began writing his own lyrics as a creative outlet. He joined up with other like-minded artists who wrote lyrics and rebelled against their suburban surroundings. He was also associated with Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town, Evidence of Dilated Peoples and Scott Caan, son of James Caan. Al and Scott decided to become a duo named The Whooliganz. While rhyming at a party in L.A., they attracted the attention of B-Real of Cypress Hill. He invited the teens to join his crew, The Soul Assassins, which also included the groups House of Pain and Funkdoobiest. In 1993, the Whooliganz released their first single, "Put Your Handz Up." The song received little radio airplay and their record label, Tommy Boy Records, decided to shelve their album. Rejected, Scott focused his creative energy on acting while Al became interested in process of making hip-hop beats

DJ Muggs took Al under his wing and taught him how to use a sampler and mixing board. After helping to produce a few tracks for Cypress Hill, Al became the main producer for his childhood friend, Evidence and his group Dilated Peoples.

Later

When Dilated debuted in 1998, they were an underground sensation creating a huge buzz about the man behind the beats. Alchemist also produced several tracks on the debut album Focused Daily by Defari, another Dilated and Alkaholik affiliate. In 1999, Muggs introduced Al to his good friends, the popular hip-hop group Mobb Deep. Al produced two songs for their Murda Muzik album. Impressed by his production skills and street smarts, Mobb Deep took him under their wing, using his beats on all their subsequent albums. As Alchemist's profile increased, he went on to produce for many of hip hop's most successful and prominent artists, such as Nas, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Ghostface Killah and Snoop Dogg. He has also remixed songs for bands and artists in other genres such as Linkin Park and Morcheeba. Al stayed loyal to his old friends, continuing to produce for Dilated, Cypress Hill and Crazy Town. He also enjoys producing for lesser-known underground rappers, often giving them some of his best beats. In 2004, six years after his rapping career folded, The Alchemist returned with his long-awaited debut album, "1st Infantry." The album yielded the hit single "Hold You Down" (featuring Prodigy, Illa Ghee and Nina Sky), which hit number ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005. Also Appeared in the segment of Tim Westwood TV.

Ras Kass feud

In 1999, The Alchemist was set to produce 3 tracks for rapper Ras Kass' upcoming album, Van Gogh, which was scheduled for a late 2000 release at the time. One of the said tracks was "Home Sweet Home", which was to be the lead single for Ras Kass' album. After The Alchemist received the first half of the payment for the beat, he says Ras Kass' record label (Priority) was ignoring him. They later met up in August at the Source Awards in Pasadena, California where Alchemist informed Kass that he'd been showcasing the beat to other artists. Jadakiss would then go on to record "We Gonna Make It" over the same beat, on his 2001 release, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye. When Ras Kass took notice, he attempted to stop the release by releasing his version of the song on mixtapes, but to no success. This prompted Ras to diss Alchemist in freestyles and on a track from Van Gogh. Eventually the beef ended so he could concentrate on his legal problems but still cited a loss of respect for the producer. However, during 2006, The Alchemist was featured on a skit in the Revenge of the Spit mixtape. Furthermore, in an interview with www.hiphopgame.com, Ras admits that he was being stubborn and refused to listen to what the Alchemist was trying to tell him. The two have since squashed the beef and Alchemist produced the song "Past, Future, and Present" and did the intro for the song that appeared on Revenge of the Spit. In 2011, Ras Kass appeared together with rapper Raekwon on fellow rapper Evidence's album Cats & Dogs, on a song called "The Red Carpet", which was produced by The Alchemist.

Anger Management Tour

Alchemist was signed on as the official tour DJ for Eminem on the 2005 Anger Management 3 Tour, replacing the recently-ousted DJ Green Lantern. On July 13, 2005, the tour bus carrying Eminem's entourage (including rapper Stat Quo as well as Alchemist) swerved off the road and turned over. Alchemist was treated for broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Other projects

The Alchemist is one of the music producers behind the 10th installment of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars released by Rockstar Games. He was also on Tim Westwood TV, when Eminem, Royce Da 5'9" and Mr. Porter freestyled. During an interview with Worldwide Conspiracy Radio, The Alchemist revealed he would be dropping a 2-part project with fellow west coast producer Oh No entitled Gangrene, the first to be released in July, the second in November, both on Decon. He also shed some light on a joint project between himself and long-time friend Evidence called Step Brothers, saying "I wanna create a sound for it. I don't want Step Brothers songs to sound like it could've been a Dilated Peoples song, or an Evidence song, that'd I'd rap on. He will also be handling the production of Curren$y's Warner Bro's debut album, Covert Coup, exclusively.". Alchemist was also the DJ for the Eminem set on the popular BBC1 chat-show Jonathan Ross on 4 June 2010.

Shady Records

Alchemist is Eminem's official DJ, since DJ Green Lantern departed from "Shady Records", because of a dispute, related to the feud of 50 Cent and Jadakiss. In 2006, Eminem released a collaboration album with Shady Records called Eminem Presents: The Re-Up. Since the Alchemist is his official DJ, he produced some of tracks on the mixtape, as well as compiling the album in a mixtape fashion. On March 6, 2011, he signed with Shady Records to become a producer on the label & has worked with Shady artists Bad Meets Evil and Slaughterhouse, He has been asked to work along with Yelawolf for his next Shady album Love Story.

Musical signature

The Alchemist utilizes a musical signature that he places towards the beginning (Although not always) of many of the songs he produces. The signature is a distorted voice recording of rapper Prodigy saying "Alchemist" (In the distorted recording it sounds much like "A-A-A-A-A-Alchemist").

Upcoming

In an interview with DJ Pizzo, The Alchemist revealed details on the topic of upcoming projects, such as the "Step Brothers" with Evidence, Rare Chandeliers - an entire album with Action Bronson, a project with Boldy James, talked about a project with Roc Marciano, and also talked on a project with Durag Dynasty (Killa Ben, Planet Asia and Tri-State, that later was given the title "360 Waves". Also, There is a project with Prodigy, that will come out in the beginning of 2013, by Prodigy's twitter. The album's name is Albert Einstein.

Collaboration projects

General Collaborations

Return of the Mac (2007)

In 2007, the Alchemist and his friend and rapper Prodigy, came together for a studio album called Return of the Mac, that came out on March 27, 2007. The Alchemist did the productions of the whole album and he produced two tracks with DJ Muro.

The Antidote (2009)

In 2009, The Alchemist produced an entire mixtape with the rapper Fashawn, called The Antidote.

Covert Coup (2011)

In the middle of 2011, The Alchemist and the rapper Curren$y came together for the mixtape Covert Coup. The mixtape came out April 20, 2011. The Alchemist produced the whole mixtape, and even released an Instrumental Version of it.

There were rumors that the pair were going to release a sequel to the mixtape, titled "Re-Conversationalize", which held the release date of April 20, 2012, exactly one year after the first project was released, however that rumor was proven to be false. The rumors started because of a message that Alchemist wrote on his Twitter, but in an interview he gave for DJ Pizzo in May 2012, he said that the message had no meaning, but people have assumed it's an album for some reason.

How Does it Feel EP (2011)

The Alchemist produced a 5 tracks EP for the rapper ChrisCo, that was released in 2011, titled "How Does it Feel EP".

No Idols (2012)

The Alchemist has entirely produced OFWGKTA member Domo Genesis album, No Idols, that was released for free in August 2012.

Yacht Rock (2012)

In October 2012, The Alchemist and 9Five Eyewear collaborated to a project with an Alchemist edition Sunglasses/Eyeglasses with a 12 minute vinyl with an execlusive mix produced by Alchemist, featuring Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, Oh No, Big Twins, Chuck Inglish and Blu. It was limited for 400 Pieces worldwide. in October 31, 2012, The Alchemist released the project for a free download, in 9Five's website.

Rare Chandeliers

A project called Rare Chandeliers, which is a collaboration between Alchemist and Action Bronson, was released on November 15, 2012, as a free album. Later an extended version was released, also for free.

Albert Einstein

In November 27, Prodigy wrote in his Twitter that an album with Alchemist, titled Albert Einstein will be released in early 2013. A cover was released on December 25. In January 27, 2013, the first single, "Give Em Hell" was released. The album was set to be released in June 11 and the official tracklist ws released in April 12, 2013.

Lord Steppington (Step Brothers)

For a long time, The Alchemist and his long-time friend and fellow rapper Evidence were planning a project together, under the duo stage name Step Brothers. In January 1, 2013, The Alchemist, Evidence and "Rhymesayers Entertainment" (The label that the album will be released on. Also the label that Evidence was currently on, which released his second album "Cats & Dogs") posted on twitter a link to a Teaser Trailer for the album, that also announced that the name of the album will be Lord Steppington.

Gangrene

Main article: Gangrene (group)

Back in Chemical Warfare, there were two songs, named "Act of Violence" and "Under Siege", that were collaboration songs of the Alchemist and the rapper Oh No, under the collaboration name Gangrene.

• The Alchemist and Oh No came together for Sawblade EP and the studio album Gutter Water.

• The Alchemist and Oh No shared the production of the two projects.

• Later, in 2011, Gangrene and the rapper Roc Marciano came together for Greneberg EP, that came out in July 19, 2011.

• Later, in April 2012, Gangrene released a 4 tracks EP called Odditorium EP, for free download in Redbull USA's official site, and as a Picture disc.

Discography

Main article: The Alchemist production discography

Studio albums

• 1st Infantry (2004)
• Chemical Warfare (2009)
• Russian Roulette (2012)

EPs

• The Alchemist's Cookbook (2008)
• "Yacht Rock" (9Five Eyewear Deluxe) (2012)

Mixtapes

• The Cutting Room Floor (2003)
• Insomnia (2003)
• No Days Off (2006)
• The Chemistry Files (2006)
• The Cutting Room Floor 2 (2008)

Instrumental Albums

• Gangster Theme Music (2000)
• Action/Drama (2001)
• The Ultimate Music Machine (2002)
• Lab Tested, Street Approved (2004)
• 1st Infantry: The Instrumentals (2005)
• Rapper's Best Friend (2007)
• Rapper's Best Friend 2 (2012)
• Covert Coup (Instrumentals) (2012)

Collaboration albums

With Oh No as Gangrene

• Sawblade EP (2010)
• Gutter Water (2010)
• Greneberg (with Roc Marciano) (2011)
• Vodka & Ayahuasca (2012)
• Odditorium EP (2012)

With Prodigy

• Return of the Mac (2007)

With Fashawn

• The Antidote (2009)

With Curren$y

• Covert Coup (2011)

With Domo Genesis

• No Idols (2012)

With Action Bronson

• Rare Chandeliers (2012)

With Durag Dynasty

• 360 Waves (2013)

Upcoming Collaborations

• Albert Einstein (With Prodigy) (2013)
• Lord Steppington (With Evidence as Step Brothers) (2013)
• M.1.C.S. (With Boldy James) (2013)

External links

• The Alchemist on Twitter
• The Alchemist on Myspace
• The Alchemist at MTV.com