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.
Try My Hand
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the needle in a haystack, stop looking
Be patient, stop watching when the pot cooking
It's almost done, I get it done
I don't let nothin' linger, I finish them
Two birds with one stone
I just wanna get mines, don't have me out here wilin' with the chrome
I don't got love for 'em, it's no room left for it
All we got is us
It's too late in the game for misguided trust
It's your fault, they got you in the crib tied up
Burn bridges and now your favors all dried up
Like a drought in the summer, up go the coke price
I don't give a fuck, so I say "Fuck your whole life"
And put the green light on 'em
Take two of these and call the coroner in the morning
Y'all can't fuck with these bums
They wanna test my aim and challenge my gun
The devil wanna try my hand, but God got a master plan
Y'all can't fuck with these niggas
Can't fuck with these, can't fuck with these bitches
It'll be a cold day in Kingston when I ain't dope
The Rastas'll cut their dreads and worship the Pope
I got the best of all-time verse, my shit quotable
Remarkable rap, I stand out on the tomb
Big big tingz eh gwan
You just a crumb on my plate, blown away if I breathe too hard
You like a comment on IG, nobody cares
Crawl back under that rock, the giants is here
For the daughters of men
The Infamous master race of hip-hop legends
If you follow the North Star, it'll lead you up top to the state of New York
She never heard talk like this, I capture attention
My gab is a gift from God for you to listen
And learn a new language, bitch, I speak truth
You don't know what I'm saying, you don't understand, do you?
Well, violence is the best translator
Bullets are universal, see now you can relate to a thug
Y'all can't fuck with these bums
They wanna test my aim and challenge my gun
The devil wanna try my hand, but God got a master plan
Y'all can't fuck with these niggas
Can't fuck with these, can't fuck with these bitches
The devil wanna try my hand, but God got a master plan
The Alchemist Feat. Mobb Deep's song Try My Hand is a powerful piece that speaks of the need for love amidst the chaos and violence of the world around us. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges his own role as a needle in a haystack, but asserts his ability to get things done without letting them linger. He is a man on a mission, focused on achieving his own goals, but he recognizes that the world around him is full of betrayal and mistrust. The singer sees himself as an outsider, someone who doesn't fit in with the mainstream culture, and he is unapologetic about his disdain for those who snitch and sing to the cops. In the chorus, he emphasizes the importance of community, of sticking together in a harsh world where trust is hard to come by. He recognizes that the devil may try to test his aim, but he trusts in God's master plan to guide him through the trials and tribulations of life.
The second verse of the song is a powerful declaration of the singer's own greatness. He sees himself as a giant, towering over those who would try to bring him down. He is a master of his craft, with the ability to capture attention and inspire listeners with his words. He acknowledges the violence and brutality that lie just beneath the surface of the world, but implies that this is simply the language of the streets, a way of communicating that is universal and easily understood by those who live in the midst of it. Ultimately, the singer's message is one of hope and resilience, a call to stay strong amidst the chaos and seek out the love and community that are so essential in a world where trust is hard to come by.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love
The singer needs the support and loyalty of those around them.
I'm the needle in a haystack, stop looking
The singer is hard to find and is asking others to stop searching for them.
Be patient, stop watching when the pot cooking
The singer is asking others to trust the process and wait patiently for the outcome.
It's almost done, I get it done
The artist is confident in their ability to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
I don't let nothing linger, I finish them
The artist doesn't like unfinished business and always follows through until the end.
Two birds with one stone
The singer is able to accomplish multiple goals at once, making the most of their time and resources.
I just wanna get mines, don't have me out here wilin' with the chrome
The singer wants to acquire what is theirs without resorting to violent or reckless behavior.
I don't got love for 'em, it's no room left for it
The artist has no affection or loyalty for others, as there is no space or reason to show it.
Niggas snitching and singing to the cops like a chorus (I need your love)
The artist is ashamed of others who betray their own kind and is asking for support in response.
All we got is us
The artist emphasizes the importance of unity and togetherness in the face of adversity.
It's too late in the game for misguided trust
The singer warns against placing trust in the wrong people too late in the game or too far into a situation.
It's your fault, they got you in the crib tied up
The artist blames the listener for getting themselves into a vulnerable or dangerous situation.
Burn bridges and now your favors all dried up
The singer warns against cutting ties or damaging relationships as it may lead to the loss of support or resources in the future.
Like a drought in the summer, up go the coke price
The singer likens the scarcity of drugs during a drought to the increased price and value of said drugs.
I don't give a fuck, so I say "Fuck your whole life"
The singer expresses a lack of concern or care for others and their well-being, even wishing bad upon them.
And put the green light on 'em
The artist gives permission to harm or kill someone, using the phrase "green light" as a signal.
Take two of these and call the coroner in the morning
The artist threatens to harm or kill others and suggests that the listener will need to deal with the aftermath.
Y'all can't fuck with these bums
The singer is confident that their team is better or stronger than anyone else's.
They wanna test my aim and challenge my gun
Others are trying to provoke or challenge the singer, who responds by referring to their weapon.
The devil wanna try my hand, but God got a master plan
The artist is dealing with temptation or conflict, but trusts in a higher power or greater purpose.
Can't fuck with these, can't fuck with these bitches
The artist and their team cannot be challenged or defeated by anyone else, including women.
It'll be a cold day in Kingston when I ain't dope
The artist is confident in their own skills and doesn't see themselves losing anytime soon.
The Rastas'll cut their dreads and worship the Pope
The singer believes that even those who hold their beliefs or traditions strongly will have to submit to their greatness and talent.
I got the best of all-time verse, my shit quotable
The artist believes that their lyrics are unbeatable and very memorable, quoting them as proof.
Remarkable rap, I stand out on the tomb
The singer's rapping ability is outstanding and unforgettable, standing out even on a tomb where greatness is expected.
Big big tingz eh gwan
The singer confirms that big things are happening or will happen in the near future.
You just a crumb on my plate, blown away if I breathe too hard
The singer sees others as insignificant or small, and could easily overpower or harm them with little effort.
You like a comment on IG, nobody cares
The artist describes the listener as unimportant or ignored, like a comment on a social media platform that gets no attention.
Crawl back under that rock, the giants is here
The artist tells others to retreat or disappear, as they are now dealing with great or powerful people.
For the daughters of men
The singer is referring to women, often used in religious texts as an expression of contempt for women.
The Infamous master race of hip-hop legends
The singer's team is legendary in the world of hip-hop, and they are proud of their status and accomplishments.
If you follow the North Star, it'll lead you up top to the state of New York
The artist suggests that their home state of New York is a place of greatness, which can be reached by following the North Star like the Underground Railroad.
She never heard talk like this, I capture attention
The artist is aware of how unique and captivating their words are, and they often hold people's attention with it.
My gab is a gift from God for you to listen
The artist sees their ability to talk as a divine gift, and encourages others to listen and learn from them.
And learn a new language, bitch, I speak truth
The singer wants others to understand their unique viewpoint and ideas, which may challenge their existing beliefs or knowledge.
You don't know what I'm saying, you don't understand, do you?
The artist is frustrated that others don't see things the way they do, and are unable to comprehend their ideas or message.
Well, violence is the best translator
The singer believes that violence is sometimes the only way to make others understand or fear them.
Bullets are universal, see now you can relate to a thug
The singer sees the use of bullets as something that can make anyone, regardless of race or background, understand or fear them like a thug.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Albert Johnson, Kejuan Muchita, Daniel Alan Maman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind