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.
Jar Of Kingdom
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allow it to be caught by science
Life's boundaries are being smashed
Processes in natures defiance
Existence without creation
Life without conception
Humanity pushes progress
Cones, not knowing where you came from
Professionally created
Who were you spawned from?
Frozen you have waited
An after crop of technology
Not knowing the warren crop
Of flowing milk and honey
Experiments no longer restricted to animals
As long as you got the money
Caught in a realm of fantasy
Is an actual reality
Life of mass brutality
You've blossomed from modern surgery
End the tears of infertile parents
Embryo's paused in time
Is your life an endless question
Or an unnatural crime?
Now you know, you have been told
The truth about your life
You're father was a sterile test tube
Your mother a surgical knife
Unable to carry a child so meek and mild
Who's fault is this?
Our seed shall blend with science
In an alliance, our minds insist
So now you find your life's an endless cause
The endless question that haunts you
You can not pause
Your parents say they are truly yours
Answering questions, opening doors
These lyrics in The Alchemist's song "Jar Of Kingdom" delve into the theme of genetic manipulation and the ethical dilemmas surrounding it. The opening lines, "Unleash your swimming life, Allow it to be caught by science," suggest the idea of human life being controlled and manipulated by scientific advancements. The reference to smashing boundaries and defying nature showcases the powerful and sometimes dangerous progress made in the field.
The lyrics question whether this kind of progress is heading in the right direction, questioning the consequences and implications of tampering with life without natural conception. The lines, "Cones, not knowing where you came from, Who were you spawned from? Frozen you have waited," allude to the confusion and lack of origin for these artificially created beings. They are born from professional manipulation and have been frozen in a state of suspension.
The song also reflects on the advancements in reproductive technology, highlighting the ability to create life through modern surgery and end the anguish of infertile parents. However, the lyrics pose the question of whether this type of manipulation is an endless question or an unnatural crime. The ending lines emphasize the importance of answering these questions and opening doors to a deeper understanding of life and its implications.
Overall, "Jar Of Kingdom" explores the complexities and moral dilemmas surrounding genetic manipulation and the potential consequences of pushing the boundaries of science in creating and altering life.
Line by Line Meaning
Unleash your swimming life
Embrace your existence and let it flow freely
Allow it to be caught by science
Accept that science can capture and understand the essence of life
Life's boundaries are being smashed
The limitations of life are being surpassed
Processes in natures defiance
Natural laws are being challenged and defied
Existence without creation
Life existing without traditional procreation
Life without conception
Life without the traditional process of conception
Humanity pushes progress
Mankind is driving forward with advancements
But is this in the right direction baby?
However, is this progress aligned with what is truly right?
Cones, not knowing where you came from
Individuals unaware of their origin
Professionally created
Engineered with expertise
Who were you spawned from?
From whom did you originate?
Frozen you have waited
Preserved and frozen, awaiting a future
An after crop of technology
A consequence or result of technological advancements
Not knowing the warren crop
Unaware of the complexities and mysteries of life
Of flowing milk and honey
Of the abundance and richness of life
Experiments no longer restricted to animals
Scientific experiments now extend beyond animals
As long as you got the money
As long as you have the means and financial resources
Caught in a realm of fantasy
Trapped in a world of imagination
Is an actual reality
Has become a tangible truth
Life of mass brutality
A life filled with extensive cruelty and suffering
You've blossomed from modern surgery
Your existence is a result of advanced surgical procedures
End the tears of infertile parents
Bring an end to the sorrow of parents unable to conceive
Embryo's paused in time
Embryos preserved and temporarily frozen
Is your life an endless question
Is your existence a never-ending mystery
Or an unnatural crime?
Or a violation against the natural order?
Now you know, you have been told
Now you are aware, the truth has been revealed to you
The truth about your life
The reality of your existence
You're father was a sterile test tube
Your biological father was created in a lab and unable to reproduce naturally
Your mother a surgical knife
Your biological mother was a tool used in surgical procedures
Unable to carry a child so meek and mild
Incapable of conceiving a child naturally
Who's fault is this?
Whose responsibility or blame lies in this situation?
Our seed shall blend with science
Our genetic material will combine with scientific advancements
In an alliance, our minds insist
Creating a partnership where our intellects demand it
So now you find your life's an endless cause
Now you realize that your existence has a never-ending purpose
The endless question that haunts you
The unending mystery that troubles you
You can not pause
You cannot halt or pause your journey of self-discovery
Your parents say they are truly yours
Your biological parents claim you as their own
Answering questions, opening doors
Guiding you by providing answers and opportunities
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: AGIUS, BRAY, HOLDER, TORKINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raven Feathers
Great band, and an equally incredible song
Elya Yellin
More things happen in that song than in some bands' entire discographies
SevereRepugnance
This is badass! Glad I looked into their older material.