Alan Daniel Maman (born October 25, 1977), better known as The Alchemist, i… Read Full Bio ↴Alan Daniel Maman (born October 25, 1977), better known as The Alchemist, is a hip-hop producer and MC. The Alchemist has been an active producer since 1991. He hails from affluent Beverly Hills, California. After rising to prominence in the late 1990s as a close associate of Dilated Peoples, he went on to produce for many of hip-hop's leading artists in the 2000s.

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.

Stop the Show (feat. Stat Quo
The Alchemist Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, Stat Quo, nigga (Woo)
Alchemist, I love this thang (Come on)
Yeah (Woo) do a little something like (yeah)
Do a little something like (yeah)
Yeah, fake niggas (yeah)

Yeah (yeah) , Stat Quo in this mug, my word my bond
Put that on err ounce of blood

Born and raised in the mud, love is love
Therefore, now a nigga got on
They seem to care a lot more
Fair weather bring the snakes in
My third eye open
I can see through they fake skin
And you ain't a friend of mine
You only show up when it's dinnertime
And eating weak benefit's
Trying to take mine
You been a bitch, bottom line, huh
You ain't none of my kinfolk
You ain't ride when a nigga was dead broke
All these brand new niggas trying
To join the squad
Can't infiltrate this thang of ours
I seeing what they tryna do, believe me
I'm watching they moves
Y'all motherfuckers must got Stat confused
Like the squad won't smoke squares
Like a box of Kools
Ludacris talk a make a nigga act a fool, yeah

When the thugs come out, the slugs come out
Shawty, when the dubs come out
Them hoes come out
Soon as the checks come in, the snakes appear
Watch when the cash go up, they disappear
(Come on)
When the thugs come out, the slugs come out
Shawty, when the dubs come out
Them hoes come out
Soon as the checks come in, the snakes appear
Watch when the cash go up, they disappear

Ayy (Ayy) , Ayy (Ayy, ayy)
It seems like it's that jewelry from
Jacob that be fuckin' rappers up
'cause every nigga want a platinum chain and
The game rap wack as fuck
Where the fuck a Smith and Wesson at?
Tell him we need more niggas for the road
Niggas feel me? I’m on some
Old-school Willie-D shit, holler
I'll put a hole in your head 'bout
The size of a half-a dollar

And it go for who it may concern
For the niggas on the block
For them faggots up at radio
For the homies up at Roc
For whoever got a problem
With the way that we hip hop
It's cocked and it's nothing you can stop
So watch me work nigga
You'll find me in the middle of Sin City
You expect me not to be gritty?
Nigga, you too passionate
You need to send your mens and 'nem
I'll make 'em all delicate
Sensitive and feminine

When the thugs come out, the slugs come out
Shawty, when the dubs come out
Them hoes come out
Soon as the checks come in, the snakes appear
Watch when the cash go up, they disappear
When the thugs come out, the slugs come out
Shawty, when the dubs come out
Them hoes come out
Soon as the checks come in, the snakes appear
Watch when the cash slow up, they disappear

A-L-C … Ryders … Mobb

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Stop the Show" by The Alchemist (feat. Stat Quo) explore themes of fake friendships, loyalty, and the challenges of the music industry. The song starts with Stat Quo expressing his authenticity and loyalty to his roots, highlighting the struggles he faced growing up. He acknowledges that now that he has achieved success, people seem to care more, attracting both genuine friends and those looking to take advantage of his newfound fame. He sees through the fake intentions of those trying to infiltrate his inner circle and acknowledges that they are not his true friends. The lyrics also touch on the rampant materialism in the industry, with Stat Quo criticizing the obsession with jewelry and the declining state of rap.

The chorus highlights the idea that when money and success come into play, fake people reveal themselves. When thugs (representing the true and authentic individuals) come out, slugs (representing violence and fake individuals) also emerge. As soon as the money rolls in, the snakes (fake friends) appear, but they vanish when the cash starts to dwindle. This cycle emphasizes the transient nature of fame and the importance of discerning true loyalty from opportunistic connections in the entertainment industry.

Overall, "Stop the Show" delves into the challenges of navigating relationships in the music industry, exposing the fake friends and the need for discernment. It also critiques the materialistic culture that has seeped into rap music.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah (yeah) , Stat Quo in this mug, my word my bond
Yes, Stat Quo is present and committed to this situation, I guarantee it.

Put that on err ounce of blood
I swear on every drop of my blood.

Born and raised in the mud, love is love
I come from a difficult background, but love is universal and transcends all.

Therefore, now a nigga got on
As a result, I have achieved success.

They seem to care a lot more
People show more interest in me now.

Fair weather bring the snakes in
During good times, deceitful individuals reveal themselves.

My third eye open
I am perceptive and can see through false intentions.

I can see through they fake skin
Their true, deceptive nature is transparent to me.

And you ain't a friend of mine
You are not a genuine friend.

You only show up when it's dinnertime
You only appear when there is something to gain.

And eating weak benefit's
Taking advantage of vulnerable individuals has its advantages.

Trying to take mine
Attempting to seize what is rightfully mine.

You been a bitch, bottom line, huh
Ultimately, you have been cowardly and weak.

You ain't none of my kinfolk
You have no familial ties to me.

You ain't ride when a nigga was dead broke
You were not supportive when I had nothing.

All these brand new niggas trying
These newcomers are attempting

To join the squad
To be part of our group.

Can't infiltrate this thang of ours
They cannot penetrate our close-knit circle.

I seeing what they tryna do, believe me
I am aware of their intentions, trust me.

I'm watching they moves
I am observing their actions.

Y'all motherfuckers must got Stat confused
You individuals must have mistaken Stat Quo for someone else.

Like the squad won't smoke squares
You think our group is not willing to confront weak individuals.

Like a box of Kools
Just like a pack of cigarettes.

Ludacris talk a make a nigga act a fool, yeah
Ludacris' words have the power to provoke irrational behavior.

When the thugs come out, the slugs come out
When violence emerges, weapons are drawn.

Shawty, when the dubs come out
Darling, when expensive cars are brought out.

Them hoes come out
Women who desire material possessions appear.

Soon as the checks come in, the snakes appear
As soon as money is involved, deceptive individuals reveal themselves.

Watch when the cash go up, they disappear
Observe how they vanish when the money increases.

Ayy (Ayy), Ayy (Ayy, ayy)
Hey, hey

It seems like it's that jewelry from
It appears as if that jewelry

Jacob that be fuckin' rappers up
The jewelry from Jacob has a negative influence on rappers.

'cause every nigga want a platinum chain and
Because every individual desires a platinum chain and

The game rap wack as fuck
The rap industry is currently of poor quality.

Where the fuck a Smith and Wesson at?
Where can I find a Smith and Wesson firearm?

Tell him we need more niggas for the road
Inform him that we require additional individuals for our journey.

Niggas feel me? I’m on some
Do you understand me? I am embracing a

Old-school Willie-D shit, holler
Old-school Willie D mentality, call out

I'll put a hole in your head 'bout
I will shoot you and create a hole in your head approximately

The size of a half-a dollar
The size of a fifty-cent coin

And it go for who it may concern
This message applies to whoever it may concern

For the niggas on the block
For the individuals in the neighborhood

For them faggots up at radio
For the individuals at the radio station

For the homies up at Roc
For my friends at Roc-A-Fella Records

For whoever got a problem
For anyone who has an issue

With the way that we hip hop
With how we express ourselves through hip hop

It's cocked and it's nothing you can stop
It's ready and there is nothing you can do to prevent it

So watch me work nigga
So observe how I perform, my fellow

You'll find me in the middle of Sin City
You will discover me at the heart of a sinful city

You expect me not to be gritty?
Do you anticipate me not being tough or determined?

Nigga, you too passionate
My friend, you are overly zealous

You need to send your mens and 'nem
You should gather your associates and acquaintances

I'll make 'em all delicate
I will make them all fragile or vulnerable

Sensitive and feminine
Emotional and displaying qualities traditionally associated with femininity