As a teen, 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 strongly against their "uptight" suburban surroundings, among whom were Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town, Evidence of Dilated Peoples and Scott Caan, son of James Caan. They would often hang out in urban areas of Los Angeles and participated in typical teenage rebellious activities like partying, smoking marijuana, and general mischief.
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. When Dilated debuted in 1998, they were an underground sensation creating a huge buzz about the man behind those incredible beats.
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, Everlast (formerly of House of Pain) and Crazy Town. He also enjoys producing for lesser-known underground rappers, often giving them some of his best beats. In 2004, 11 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.
Alchemist was the official tour DJ for Eminem on his 2005 Anger Management 3 Tour, replacing the recently-ousted DJ Green Lantern. However 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.
The Alchemist is one of the music producers behind the video game 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. Alchemist was also the DJ for the Eminem set on the BBC1 chat-show Jonathan Ross on June 4, 2010.
Alchemist is Eminem's official DJ, since DJ Green Lantern departed from Shady Records in 2005 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 the tracks on the mixtape, as well as compiling the album in a mixtape fashion. On December 18, 2013, he was named the runner-up for Producer of the Year by HipHopDX.
Closed Chapter
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moment of now separated from
Attachment
- gone but not forgotten what is meant
To be inevitably will be, destiny a force
Rather than an outcome of events
My point of change is on the horizon,
What brought it together now took it
Chapters open, chapters close,
Opportunities rise and fall like an
Everlasting circle
My memory still plays the events
Affection is a state of mind.
My mind is altered.
Emptiness is eventually filled,
The universe unfolds
- things shall be as they are.
Although I often deviate I always return
To me.
Many paths are marked for us
In The Alchemist's song "Closed Chapter," the lyrics delve into the concept of living in the present moment and the inevitability of destiny. The opening lines suggest a detachment from past attachments, emphasizing the importance of living in the now. The singer acknowledges that although something or someone may be gone, they are not forgotten, as destiny is a powerful force that shapes our lives.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of change on the horizon, highlighting the transient nature of life. What once brought things together has now taken them away, illustrating the cyclical nature of opportunities that continuously arise and fade away. The singer reflects on memory playing events and how affection is a state of mind, suggesting that our perception and emotions color our experiences.
The lyrics then hint at a shift in mindset, with the singer's mind being altered or transformed. This could symbolize personal growth or a change in perspective. Emptiness, which may refer to a sense of longing or void, is stated to eventually be filled, suggesting that the universe unfolds and things fall into place naturally. The lyrics conclude by acknowledging the singer's tendency to deviate from a path but always returning to themselves, implying a self-awareness and ability to navigate through life's many marked paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Situated in the present alive in the
Being fully aware and engaged in the current moment
Moment of now separated from
Disconnected from the past and future, focusing on the present
Attachment
Letting go of emotional attachments
- gone but not forgotten what is meant
Moving on from the past, yet acknowledging its significance
To be inevitably will be, destiny a force
Accepting that what is meant to happen will happen, acknowledging destiny's influence
Rather than an outcome of events
Understanding that destiny is not solely determined by external circumstances
My point of change is on the horizon,
Anticipating a significant turning point in life
What brought it together now took it
Recognizing that what once united is now causing separation
Away
Distance or detachment has occurred
Chapters open, chapters close,
Moments of opportunity arise and pass
Opportunities rise and fall like an
The ebb and flow of chances in life
Everlasting circle
A continuous cycle of opportunities
My memory still plays the events
The past experiences still have an impact on my thoughts
Affection is a state of mind.
Love and emotional connections are influenced by one's mindset
My mind is altered.
My perception and thoughts have changed
Emptiness is eventually filled,
Feelings of emptiness will be replaced or resolved over time
The universe unfolds
The mysteries and wonders of the universe are revealed
- things shall be as they are.
Accepting that things will naturally unfold as they should
Although I often deviate I always return
Despite occasional detours, I find my way back to myself
To me.
To my true self and essence
Many paths are marked for us
There are numerous potential journeys or life directions predetermined for each individual
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADAM AGIUS, JOHN BRAY, RODNEY HOLDER, ROY TORKINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PanasonicTooth
What an album, what a band.
The Greener Garden Company
Thanks for the upload, I had this on a shock sampler back in the day. Great tracks
McBain
makes me feel good about my life for some reason. love the desiderata quote