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.
That's That
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But no, you didn't ask me what I think, where I stand
Out of date, too late
We haven't talked in half a year
But I won't take the bait
I've never seen quite so clear
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
I'm running out of reasons to come back, to try again
Why is it that it's always me who asks where you've been?
Out of sight, I might have seen the signs years ago
Out of mind, this kind of thing I think I've outgrown
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
That's just how it goes
In The Alchemist's song "That's That," the lyrics depict a sense of frustration and disappointment in a relationship where the singer feels misunderstood and ignored. The opening lines, "You've got this picture stuck inside your head of who I am, but no, you didn't ask me what I think, where I stand," suggest that the other person has formed a perception of the singer without truly engaging in a conversation or understanding their perspective.
The singer expresses their resentment towards being taken for granted and being kept out of touch, as they mention, "Out of date, too late, we haven't talked in half a year." Despite being aware of the other person's attempt to provoke them by not reaching out, the singer refuses to fall into that trap, stating, "But I won't take the bait, I've never seen quite so clear." This line suggests that the singer has gained clarity and understanding about the situation, perhaps realizing that they deserve better than being treated as an afterthought.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on their diminishing reasons to continue investing in the relationship and questions why they are always the one making an effort. They express their longing to know where the other person has been, implying that they have been left in the dark and overlooked. The lyrics "Out of sight, I might have seen the signs years ago, out of mind, this kind of thing I think I've outgrown" indicate that the singer has reached a point of maturity and self-awareness where they can no longer tolerate being neglected or disregarded.
Overall, "That's That" conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of the reality of the situation. It explores the emotions of frustration, disappointment, and a desire to move on from a stagnant and unfulfilling relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got this picture stuck inside your head of who I am
You have formed a fixed perception of my identity without considering my own thoughts and beliefs
But no, you didn't ask me what I think, where I stand
However, you failed to inquire about my opinions or perspectives
Out of date, too late
Our communication has become outdated and delayed
We haven't talked in half a year
It has been six months since our last conversation
But I won't take the bait
I refuse to be lured into a negative or confrontational exchange
I've never seen quite so clear
I have gained a newfound clarity and understanding
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
I'm running out of reasons to come back, to try again
I am losing motivation to return and make further attempts
Why is it that it's always me who asks where you've been?
I question the imbalance in our relationship where I am consistently seeking information about your whereabouts
Out of sight, I might have seen the signs years ago
If you had been absent from my view, maybe I would have recognized the warning signs long before
Out of mind, this kind of thing I think I've outgrown
Your absence has allowed me to mentally distance myself from this situation, indicating personal growth
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
That's just how it goes
This is the inevitable nature of the situation
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Abigail K
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mossberg714
I be in the gym working out to Alchemist beats... Leg day gets serious 💪... The rhythm keeps me going
Youtube Commenter
One of the best ALC beats
SuavoBabyManManMan
RIP Prodigy #infamousangel
Underrated Alchemist production, I had first heard this beat used from Fabolous ft Paul Cain & Ransom Barz R Us (Loso's Way mixtape 2006) HAPPY WHEN I FOUND OUT WHO'S BEAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY!!!
Leon_ThePro
Finally found this sample OMFG Alc's chopping skillz tho!!
Richi
what is it??
Monique Trotter
awwww gawd..that beat..I think I just broke my damn neck!!
Jay Echevarria
Monique Trotter me too !!!
Beats by Fai-Zell (aka Joey Dinero)
Lmfao
OCdropper13
crooked smile on my face, neck slanted and not in place i waste no breath in case my death, Occurs and the rest unfolds in words head noddin body rockin Neva sloppin theze beats, just proppin these features night vision goggles,infared beamers, Armed and ready for any village intruders inrtrudin on me as cool as can be calmly,show the rath and power releases from my body Who woulda thoughta i can be the thing, cuz its time to clobber Watch out for me, number 1 suspect in this armed robbery
visceraldragon
All Loud and Clear Home of Emensely powerful Music Is Stricly Triumphant