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.
Essence
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
double r, d-block 1st infantry listen the thugs need it, hoes gon use it me im just a young nigga that make old music shit is real i put the emp on the 4 keep it wit me 'cause possetions 9 10ths of the law.here i am doin' all that i can goin' all
out again even had a daughter born outta' sin nigga i make pennies cinnamatic i spit dope and u been a attic
treat jail like beef somting like somthin'
big with the scope under the winter jacket i use the winter tactics and i know u try'n to play the role but bullets the wrong shit to inneract wit i hurt the game,
hurt them phines soon as you churp somthin' these niggas ill' churp genene yeah let 'em all cock ride wit a mansion and a bottle and the walls spin counter clock wise midas well go on go and see papi
cause niggas only know three words he shot me thats why i be eye'n 'em down no dap, no rap 'cause these niggas be wired for sound but i still put a hole in a goon jada montaga still put a hole in a
spoon lay da bond lay 'em plenty guns plenty ammo remember this ''calmate cete calmo'' mutha-fuckas what
The lyrics to The Alchemist's song "The Essence" speak to the power and strength of his music, which he describes as "the strongest shit on the shelf." He references his associations with Double R, D-Block, and 1st Infantry, as well as his understanding of the importance of possessions in the world of hip hop. Despite his success, he acknowledges his past mistakes, including fathering a child "outta' sin," and the ways in which he's been affected by the harsh realities of the music industry, including jail time and violent encounters.
Throughout the song, The Alchemist asserts his dominance and the impact his music has on the industry. He employs violent imagery and rhetoric, describing himself as a "winter tactician" with a "scope under the winter jacket." He warns his enemies not to play games with him, as he is willing and able to hurt the competition. The song ends with a ominous message, cautioning others to stay calm and maintain their composure, lest they become victims of The Alchemist's wrath.
Overall, "The Essence" is a powerful and intense song that speaks to The Alchemist's fierce dedication to his music and his willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed in a cutthroat industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Definetley the strongest shit on the shelf
The Alchemist's song 'The Essence' is the strongest and most powerful song in existence
double r, d-block 1st infantry listen
The people who are truly strong and tough, like the members of Double R, D-Block, and 1st Infantry, are the only ones who can handle the intensity of this song
the thugs need it, hoes gon use it
This song is so strong that even criminals need to listen to it, and women will be attracted to it
me im just a young nigga that make old music
Despite being young, The Alchemist creates classic and timeless music
shit is real i put the emp on the 4
The Alchemist's music is authentic and genuine, and he puts his all into each song
keep it wit me 'cause possetions 9 10ths of the law
The Alchemist values his possessions, including his music, because owning something gives you power and control over others
here i am doin' all that i can goin' all out again
The Alchemist is constantly pushing himself to his limits and giving everything he has in his music
even had a daughter born outta' sin
The Alchemist has made mistakes in his life, such as having a child out of wedlock, but he uses those experiences to inspire his music
nigga i make pennies cinnamatic
Although he may not be making a lot of money, The Alchemist's music is epic and cinematic
i spit dope and u been a attic
The Alchemist's music is so addictive and powerful that it's like a drug, and fans become addicted to it
treat jail like beef somting like somthin' big
The Alchemist approaches prison like it's a dangerous situation or a big fight
with the scope under the winter jacket i use the winter tactics
The Alchemist is so skilled that he can even use winter clothing as a weapon, and he adapts his tactics to the situation at hand
and i know u try'n to play the role
The Alchemist is aware that some people try to act tough or play a certain role, but he sees through their facade
but bullets the wrong shit to inneract wit
Violence and guns are not the solution to problems or conflicts
i hurt the game, hurt them phines
The Alchemist's music is so powerful that it can challenge and even damage the industry and other musicians
soon as you churp somthin' these niggas ill' churp genene
As soon as someone starts talking, others will start gossiping and spreading rumors
yeah let 'em all cock ride
People will try to follow and mimic The Alchemist's style, but they will never be as good as him
wit a mansion and a bottle and the walls spin counter clock wise
Even if someone has a large house and plenty of alcohol, they will still feel empty and unfulfilled
midas well go on go and see papi
You might as well visit your father (Papi) in jail, because that's where you're headed anyway
cause niggas only know three words he shot me
People resort to violence and blame others for their problems, rather than taking responsibility for their actions
that's why i be eye'n 'em down
The Alchemist is wary of violent and dangerous people, and keeps his distance from them
no dap, no rap 'cause these niggas be wired for sound
The Alchemist doesn't trust people who are always trying to network or collaborate, because they are only in it for personal gain
but i still put a hole in a goon jada montaga still put a hole in a spoon
The Alchemist is still willing to defend himself and his music against anyone who tries to challenge him
lay da bond lay 'em plenty guns plenty ammo
The Alchemist is prepared and ready for any kind of battle or conflict
remember this ''calmate cete calmo'' mutha-fuckas
The Alchemist reminds his enemies to calm down and not start any unnecessary trouble
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN MAMAN, DAVID STYLES, JASON PHILLIPS, SEAN JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind