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.
Decisions Over Veal Orloff
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 biscuit's 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 lyrics to The Alchemist's song "Decisions Over Veal Orloff" paint a picture of a streetwise individual from Queens, New York. The opening line references Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, a professional wrestler known for his strong and intimidating appearance. This sets the tone for the song, implying that the singer is tough and not to be messed with.
The line "I play the part, smoke the white shark" suggests that the singer not only embodies a tough persona but also engages in drug use. This theme continues with the line "My mind sharp like a shape up from Dominican's," comparing the sharpness of the singer's mind to a neatly trimmed hairstyle done by a Dominican barber, referencing the neighborhood's diverse community.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's experiences with women, with the line "When I'm sinning fucking cinnamon women." This may suggest a propensity for engaging in casual relationships or a hedonistic lifestyle.
The song emphasizes the singer's street smarts and awareness of his surroundings, cautioning against fake friends and those who may be pretending to be something they're not. The Alchemist showcases his lyrical skill through clever wordplay, rhyming lines such as "shooting the pistol with the whistle sound" and "skin of the pepper" with "twisted in leather."
Overall, "Decisions Over Veal Orloff" gives us a glimpse into the singer's gritty and streetwise existence, highlighting their toughness, drug use, experiences with women, and deep understanding of the dangers and dynamics of their environment.
Line by Line Meaning
And have a blast, ayo
Let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest
It be that Queens kid with the
I am a kid from Queens and proud of it
Face of Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart
I have a bold and strong appearance like Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart
I play the part, smoke the white shark
I embrace my role and indulge in cocaine
My mind sharp like a
My mind is keen and perceptive like
Shape up from Dominican's
A well-groomed hairstyle from Dominican hair stylists
There's no confession
I never confess or admit my sins
When I'm sinning fucking cinnamon women
I engage in sexual activities with exotic women
Rocking double colour linen
Wearing stylish linen clothing in contrasting colors
From the beginning
Since the very start
I see a lot of youth's pretending
I observe many young people pretending to be someone they are not
Better watch who you be befriending
It's important to be cautious about the friends you choose
My shit's profound
My work and thoughts are deep and thought-provoking
I shoot the pistol with the whistle sound
I fire my gun, producing a distinct whistle sound
And catch the shell before it hit the ground
I have excellent reflexes, catching the bullet shell before it falls
Then peel off just like the
Then I quickly leave the scene, just like
Skin of the pepper
Removing the skin of a pepper
Or the jacket that I'm rocking
Or the stylish jacket I am wearing
Cause I'm twisted in leather
Since I have a rebellious nature, I wear leather clothing
Don't get it twisted, keep the biscuit's hot
Do not misinterpret, I always keep my gun ready for action
Chickens and cheddar
Money and women
Getting fly just like the
Looking stylish and fashionable, similar to how a
Shit with the feathers
Bird with colorful feathers appears
You could be laying face down
You may find yourself lying on the ground face-first
If you so choose
If that's the path you decide to take
I leave you covered in the blanket, man
I will leave you in a helpless and vulnerable state
You old news
You are irrelevant and outdated
I'm from the place where kids'll shank
I come from a neighborhood where young people will stab
You for some cold shoes
You to steal your expensive sneakers
Half out the pocket with the
Having my hand halfway out of my pocket when
Hanky on the boat cruise, it's me
I am on a luxurious boat cruise, casually displaying a handkerchief
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, CO-WRITER UNKNOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind