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.
RIP Tracy
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sad music, Gypsy music, and Russian music
But I like jazz, I like
Symphonic music, I like music
Uneasy steps, deep in it like needle in flesh
In the center, couldn't see the end
Indecision, leave the pieces split
Still resent for me, I need to redirect
Thought you found you a lil' easy in
I need you to back up a couple steps, you clouding the lens
One script worth a thousand pictures
A million miles a minute, how the vision spellin' out?
Ghostface Killah crib was overcrowded
I know the feelin'
'Cept now it's a house of mirrors I've broken into
The whole reveal on some Jordan Peele shit
Whole T it was me, I'm the only villain, surely
Uh, uh
My ancestor's wildest dreams versus nightmares
God bless the child with his arm
It taught the one without it robbin'
Same time out here tryna change and stay solid
Take care, Bruce Lee, say to be water
I don't know no soul I'm foreign to, cordial
Don't snooze, I got a couple more moves to show you
Here we go
Here we go
Now I know what y'all came to see
And what y'all came to see is what's gon' happen
Y'know what I'm sayin'?
And I want y'all to know who I am and what I represent
All that sound in fury, it read like pantomime
What do I know though? I'm just a regular guy
Put designer jeans on, one leg at a time
You'd be surprised like bruises on the inner thighs
If you knew your muse's inner lives
Wonderin' why I had to ride amusement in her eyes
Sometimes you run out of lies
Sometimes you tell the truth just to pull 'em offsides (hut)
Your hot song was a couple funny lines, I would've summarized
Couple big sativas, I'm from where it's always summertime
(That dem cyaan' get we inna our nerves, you nuh zeen?)
(And we dead gone a Heaven)
(Say if you unnuh wan' go a Heaven a fi unnuh business)
(I will be here a billionaire)
My life is a movie, silent, black and white
King's dream, wake up and choose violence
Look around, you chose right
¿Tu tienes WiFi? We war drivin'
Uber Eats, spin the block
War like Killarmy, the blood of tyrants going cheap as hell by the pint
Them things are cheaper still
3D printer will get you everything but the laser sight
This life, blink of an eye and it's back to yesterday's price
You're only as good as your last book
If something is really bad, you know, like
They coming to come out like, "Look at that man"
Would've kill my ass if I hadn't left for Queens
Coming down the street at the right time
You got lucky, babe
How bad is that?
But you can't be good biting from somebody else
I bite from nobody, I bite from nobody
'Cause I'm great and I'ma show you I'm great
Uh, one can never be a fine artist if one hasn't lived, um
And experienced most of life's, um
The lyrics to The Alchemist's song "RIP Tracy" encompass a variety of themes and emotions. The artist begins by expressing his love for music that elicits a deep emotional response, specifically mentioning sad, Gypsy, Russian, jazz, and symphonic music. This sets the tone for the introspective nature of the song.
The next few lines delve into feelings of uncertainty and indecision. The artist describes feeling lost and unable to see the end, symbolized by "uneasy steps, deep in it like needle in flesh." There is a desire for redirection and a need for clarity. The lyrics also touch upon the artist's perception of himself as a villain in a house of mirrors, drawing parallels to a Jordan Peele film, suggesting a sense of self-reflection and the discovery of one's true nature.
The song continues with references to ancestral struggles, personal growth, and the importance of adaptability. The artist acknowledges the duality of life, from wildest dreams to nightmares, and the need to remain strong and solid amidst change. Bruce Lee's famous quote to "be water" is invoked as a reminder to flow and adapt. The lyrics emphasize the artist's foreignness in the world, both in terms of soul and cordiality, indicating a sense of detachment and a journey of self-discovery.
The chorus speaks to the artist's desire for recognition and representation. They want the audience to understand who they are and what they stand for. Throughout the song, there is a sense of defiance and a refusal to conform to societal expectations.
In the later verses, the artist reflects on the complexities of life. They question the validity of their own knowledge and experiences, acknowledging that they are just a regular person trying to navigate their own existence. The lyrics touch upon the idea of hiding behind lies but also the importance of telling the truth, even if it disrupts the status quo.
The song also references cultural and societal nuances, such as Jamaican Patois, the idea of heaven, and the transient nature of life. Themes of violence, power dynamics, and the fleeting nature of success and value are explored as well. The artist reflects on the duality of fame and how quickly fortunes can change.
In summary, "RIP Tracy" is a complex and introspective song that explores themes of self-discovery, uncertainty, the power of music, cultural references, and the fleeting nature of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Uneasy steps, deep in it like needle in flesh
Navigating through difficult situations, feeling deeply and intimately involved in them
In the center, couldn't see the end
Feeling lost and uncertain, unable to see the resolution or outcome
Indecision, leave the pieces split
Being torn between choices, resulting in a fragmented and unresolved situation
Down the middle, I confess
Admitting to being torn or conflicted within oneself
Still resent for me, I need to redirect
Holding onto past negative feelings, recognizing the need to change direction and let go
Thought you found you a lil' easy in
Believing you found a simple solution or path
I need you to back up a couple steps, you clouding the lens
Asking someone to step back and regain clarity, as their presence or influence is causing confusion
One script worth a thousand pictures
A single idea or plan holds more value and impact than countless possibilities
A million miles a minute, how the vision spellin' out?
Having a multitude of thoughts and ideas, wondering how they will manifest or become reality
Ghostface Killah crib was overcrowded
Feeling overwhelmed by the presence and influence of others
I know the feeling
Understanding and empathizing with that sense of being overcrowded and suffocated
'Cept now it's a house of mirrors I've broken into
Having entered a complex and confusing situation that reflects distorted versions of oneself
The whole reveal on some Jordan Peele shit
The revealing of the truth is like a scene from a suspenseful and thought-provoking movie
Whole T it was me, I'm the only villain, surely
Realizing that one is responsible for the negative and harmful aspects of the situation
My ancestor's wildest dreams versus nightmares
The aspirations and desires of one's ancestors contrasted with their fears and anxieties
God bless the child with his arm
Wishing for divine guidance and support in difficult times
It taught the one without it robbin'
Highlighting the importance of having support and guidance to avoid resorting to negative actions
Same time out here tryna change and stay solid
Simultaneously striving to transform oneself and maintain strength
Take care, Bruce Lee, say to be water
Drawing inspiration from Bruce Lee's philosophy of adaptability and fluidity in life
I don't know no soul I'm foreign to, cordial
Feeling disconnected from others, maintaining a polite but distant relationship
Don't snooze, I got a couple more moves to show you
Encouraging others to stay alert and engaged, as there are more strategies or actions to come
All that sound in fury, it read like pantomime
The chaos and noise around seemed meaningless and performative
What do I know though? I'm just a regular guy
Acknowledging one's limited knowledge and perspective
Put designer jeans on, one leg at a time
Engaging in mundane tasks and routines, just like anyone else
You'd be surprised like bruises on the inner thighs
Implying that there are hidden or unexpected aspects of oneself or a situation
If you knew your muse's inner lives
Gaining understanding of the deep and complex thoughts and emotions of one's inspiration
Wonderin' why I had to ride amusement in her eyes
Questioning why one had to seek validation or enjoyment from someone else's perception
Sometimes you run out of lies
Reaching a point where dishonesty or deception is no longer an option
Sometimes you tell the truth just to pull 'em offsides (hut)
Using honesty as a strategy to deceive or confuse others
Your hot song was a couple funny lines, I would've summarized
Reducing someone's popular or impressive work to a few clever phrases
Couple big sativas, I'm from where it's always summertime
Referencing the use of marijuana, highlighting the carefree and relaxed atmosphere of one's hometown
My life is a movie, silent, black and white
Viewing one's life as a dramatic and simplistic narrative, lacking colorful experiences or emotions
King's dream, wake up and choose violence
Embracing a radical and aggressive approach to achieve one's aspirations or goals
Look around, you chose right
Assessing the current situation and realizing that the right decisions were made
¿Tu tienes WiFi? We war drivin'
Asking for the presence of WiFi, indicating a desire to be constantly connected and engaged in conflicts or challenges
Uber Eats, spin the block
Ordering food delivery and then driving around the neighborhood to pass time
War like Killarmy, the blood of tyrants going cheap as hell by the pint
Engaging in battles or conflicts similar to the rap group Killarmy, with the intent to overthrow oppressive forces
Them things are cheaper still
Referring to illegal or dangerous substances, emphasizing their affordability
3D printer will get you everything but the laser sight
Highlighting the capabilities of modern technology, yet acknowledging its limitations
This life, blink of an eye and it's back to yesterday's price
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life, recognizing that its value can diminish quickly
You're only as good as your last book
One's reputation and success are determined by their most recent work or achievement
If something is really bad, you know, like
When something is incredibly negative or unfavorable
They coming to come out like, 'Look at that man'
People will criticize and judge harshly when faced with someone's failure or mistake
Would've kill my ass if I hadn't left for Queens
Acknowledging that staying in a certain place or situation could have led to serious harm or downfall
Coming down the street at the right time
Arriving or appearing at the perfect moment with favorable circumstances
You got lucky, babe
Recognizing that luck played a significant role in achieving success or avoiding negative outcomes
But you can't be good biting from somebody else
One cannot truly excel or be original by imitating or copying others
I bite from nobody, I bite from nobody
Emphasizing independence and originality, refusing to rely on others for inspiration or ideas
'Cause I'm great and I'ma show you I'm great
Expressing confidence in one's abilities and promising to prove it to others
One can never be a fine artist if one hasn't lived
To truly create meaningful art, one must have experienced a wide range of life's joys and struggles
And experienced most of life's
Challenges, emotions, and moments that shape one's perspective and artistic expression
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Maman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hexted
Al is the #1 “background music video dude” ever. Him smoking in the background while ur rapping instantly makes ur verse better
Ebony White
Facts! Lol
RLCIZZLE3434
Knxwledge deserves an honorable mention for having this kinda presence as well lol
Circa
bonus points if leaning on/sat in a car
Lia
Thought processed 👌
AKOKO
for reels!
cartonhouse
can't believe it already has been 56 years since this classic came out!
steez
Here after 60 years
undrgrouknight
AL was a god. Rest in peace The Chemist. Until his resurrection. 🐐🕊️🕊️
Mhaik
Can’t believe it’s been 61 years already.. such a classic song🙏