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.
Leave
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things have gotten weird since you left
I know you must be scared traveling alone
We'll leave the light on until you come back home
In one year's time, it's still on my mind
We act like we're all fine
Like we're alright
We say that we're alright, but stay up all night
Please say I'll be alright
The doctor says I'll be alright staying up all night fighting this constant fight
I'll untie the knot that was wound from your death
Things have gotten weird since you left
I know you must be scared traveling alone
We'll leave the light on until you come back home
When are you coming back home?
It's what we'd like to know
It's what she'd like to know
It's what I'd like to know
Come back home
In The Alchemist's song 'Leave', the lyrics are centered around the theme of loss and the longing for the departed loved ones to return home. The first verse talks about undoing the knot that was created by the loved one's death. It is a metaphorical reference to the emotional pain and trauma that arises due to the loss of the loved one. The second line of the verse asks, "Things have gotten weird since you left", and is an acknowledgement of the impact of one's absence on the environment and people around them. The third line potentially indicates that the person may not have left of their own volition and may be traveling alone beyond the world of the living. The last line of the verse reassures them that the light will be left on until they come back home, indicative of the belief that the loved one may return someday.
The chorus of the song talks about how despite the passing of time, the pain and memory of the loss continue to linger. The phrase, "We act like we're all fine, like we're alright" suggests that even though people may pretend to be okay or put up a facade of normalcy, they are still trying to cope with the loss of the person. The second half of the chorus repeats the line "Please say I'll be alright" and indicates that the singer wishes for someone to reassure them about their future.
The last verse is a repetition of the first verse, but with slight variations. The singer asks when the departed loved one is coming back home while acknowledging that it is something that everyone would like to know.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll untie the knot that was wound from your death
I'll try to release the pain and sorrow that I feel from losing you.
Things have gotten weird since you left
Life is no longer the same without you here, and it feels uncomfortable and strange.
I know you must be scared traveling alone
I understand that you're on a journey by yourself, and it probably makes you feel afraid and uncertain.
We'll leave the light on until you come back home
We'll always be here waiting for you to return, keeping hope and positivity alive for your safe arrival.
In one year's time, it's still on my mind
Even after a year has passed, I still think about you and miss you deeply.
We act like we're all fine
Despite our grief and sadness, we try to put on a brave face and pretend everything is okay.
Like we're alright
We try to convince ourselves that we're coping well, but in reality, we're struggling to come to terms with the loss.
We say that we're alright, but stay up all night
We tell others we're doing okay, but in truth, we spend sleepless nights mourning and grieving.
Please say I'll be alright
I need someone to reassure me that I'll be able to move on from this pain and sadness.
The doctor says I'll be alright staying up all night fighting this constant fight
The doctor may give hope, but the journey of healing is long and hard, with many obstacles to overcome.
When are you coming back home?
The anticipation of your return is weighing heavily on us, and we long for the day we can be reunited.
It's what we'd like to know
We all share the same desire to see you again and wish for answers regarding your whereabouts.
It's what she'd like to know
Even she, the person addressed in this song, must be wondering when she'll return home and what's going on with her loved ones in her absence.
It's what I'd like to know
As the singer, I also share in this desire for closure and understanding surrounding the person's disappearance.
Come back home
This plea is a simple yet powerful message full of love and longing for the person to return to the place where they are missed and needed.
Lyrics ยฉ DistroKid
Written by: Alchemists
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Linda Embree
I am 70 years old and have walked an esoteric path most of my life. But i have learned so much from you, my precious. Thank you so much. Bless you, bless you.
Quantum Blast
I'm new here but a master, what abilities have you gained by this channel?
NewNow4u
Hi Linda I turn 70 next year. I am catching up to you . Nice to read your comment.
Vicki Campbell
You share my grandmother's name which I find so interesting. I gave my daughter the middle name EmbreeAnn combining my mother's mom, Embree with my grandfather's mother, Ann. ๐
Teddyisbeing
Lina I unconditionally love you maybe bliss you I Bless I feel may be cursed โBe-Lessโ
Michele C
@Quantum Blast I had this exact same question. can you refer me to any other sources for further info on the topic of alchemy? Iโm new to all of this. Thanks in advance.
Lady of the stars
Hats off to those light beings who have been ascending during this time alone without any schools just by personal experience, research, using intuition and discernment! Personally only having lived a short 28 years years in this human experience I know how lonely & confusing this journey can be sending you love & comfort โค
Wolfyami
Sending it back to you! Hope your day was wonderful today!
Fish Cheeks
The loneliness is incredibly overwhelming to most. Itโs ridiculous until itโs not
svincentr
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