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.
W.Y.G.D.T.N.S
The Alchemist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"But Q, when you gonna drop that new shit?"
Uh
Uh, just let it rock, uh
Tryna figure out mane
How you wake up and not be a fuckin' player?
Woke up didn't even brush my teeth on some mo' shit nigga
Went to the garage said eenie miney mo
Put that bitch in reverse, uh
Forgot to close the gate
And I forgot to drop the motherfuckin' top, hang on
Feel me?
Hit the freeway im doin' like eighty
Nappy ass hair blowin' in the wind, chin hairs blowin' in the wind
And all of a sudden, ay Al hang gon
My nigga alchemist slid through the ac vent, yeah
Nigga I slid through the ac vent
With the seat belt already on, I love this nigga man, hang on
Ay, but when you gonna drop that new shit?
Nigga hit me up like, 'member that shit Al? Niggas like
"Q! When you gonna drop that new shit?"
Guess what nigga I dropped this
Between my life, my fame, my body
My daughter, be happy I'm focused
Stay on that flight like tourists
Runnin' them lights no purist
Me and this hood here fierce, uh
"But when you gonna drop that new shit?"
Come on my nigga you see what I'm doing here take time
Coulda came with the same rhymes
Flipping that same bitch, whipping that same brick
Stand on that same block, screaming them same Yawk's
Get a feature from K.Dot, put me under that same box
Too talented for it
The rings, the chains, the Porsche
Creatively Crippin', the first to do it
The bridge, the verse, the chorus, uh
"But when you gonna drop that new shit?"
Stop it lil' nigga I does this
Sensei in these studio dungeons
Two years lost four of my cousins
Three to the bullet and one to the liquor they gave us
But tell me this weed is scented
Shout out my life for living
Sold me them lies of Christmas
Told me I live in Los Angeles
But need a green card for Latins
So-called terrorists attacking
And Trump could actually happen, damn hang on
"But Q, when you gonna drop that new shit?"
I'm done with your stupid ass, I hate your voice too
Get away from me cuh, you ain't even hear what the fuck I'm saying my nigga
Niggas been waiting for something
Since 2012, you niggas is so stupid, I'm just tryna get two of them things
When you gonna drop that new shit?
Niggas always talkin' bout this, whole pimpin' shit right here, yerr mean?
I'm the one that they gon let the record reflect, man, yerr I mean?
Motherfuckers always asking me, "What's up with Q?"
Man I don't know whats up with that African, know what I mean?
That's just my partner, yerr what I mean?
Shit, always asking me
"When he gonna drop something? When he gonna do another video?", Yerr what I mean?
Quit asking me all that shit God damn
I'm doing me, letting the record reflect, right, yerr what I mean?
Always speaking on me, "Uh what's up with that nigga?"
Don't worry bout it bitch!
The Alchemist's song W.Y.G.D.T.N.S. (short for "When You Gon’ Drop That New Shit") is a poetic reflection on life, fame, and the pressures of fans and industry insiders to release new music. The song begins with a dialogue between two people, where one is asking when the other (presumably Q) is going to drop new music. Then Q starts rapping about how he wakes up every day and wonders how people can live life without pursuing their dreams fervently. He then goes on to discuss various topics about his life, including his fame, family, friendships, and struggles, and how he is still trying to find his way. He talks about the importance of being focused, staying on track, and continuing to grow as an artist, despite the constant criticism and expectations that come with the territory. The song ends with Q telling off the person asking him when he's going to drop new music and declaring that he's "doing me," and that people should "let the record reflect."
Overall, the song is a reflection on the pressures of success and the difficulties of staying true to one's self in a world that seems to demand more and more. Q tries to balance the expectations of his fans and the industry with his own creative vision and personal life, and the result is a powerful, introspective rap that is both honest and poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
But Q, when you gonna drop that new shit?
Questioning when the artist will release their new music
Tryna figure out mane
How you wake up and not be a fuckin' player?
Wondering how one can wake up and not be successful in their endeavors
Woke up didn't even brush my teeth on some mo' shit nigga
Referring to a lack of self-care or hygiene in the morning
Went to the garage said eenie miney mo
Open the garage, jumped in that bitch, started it
Put that bitch in reverse, uh
Forgot to close the gate
And I forgot to drop the motherfuckin' top, hang on
Feel me?
Describing a careless and hasty departure without attention to detail or safety measures
Hit the freeway im doin' like eighty
Nappy ass hair blowin' in the wind, chin hairs blowin' in the wind
And all of a sudden, ay Al hang gon
My nigga alchemist slid through the ac vent, yeah
Giving a vivid description of driving with a companion who appears suddenly and surprisingly
Guess what nigga I dropped this
Between my life, my fame, my body
My daughter, be happy I'm focused
Stay on that flight like tourists
Runnin' them lights no purist
Me and this hood here fierce, uh
Asserting that the artist has already released new music and expressing their dedication to their craft
Coulda came with the same rhymes
Flipping that same bitch, whipping that same brick
Stand on that same block, screaming them same Yawk's
Get a feature from K.Dot, put me under that same box
Too talented for it
The rings, the chains, the Porsche
Creatively Crippin', the first to do it
The bridge, the verse, the chorus, uh
Boasting about their musical talent and refusing to repeat previous success, instead opting for creative progress
Stop it lil' nigga I does this
Sensei in these studio dungeons
Two years lost four of my cousins
Three to the bullet and one to the liquor they gave us
But tell me this weed is scented
Shout out my life for living
Sold me them lies of Christmas
Told me I live in Los Angeles
But need a green card for Latins
So-called terrorists attacking
And Trump could actually happen, damn hang on
Acknowledging personal struggles and trauma before criticizing societal issues and political corruption
Niggas been waiting for something
Since 2012, you niggas is so stupid, I'm just tryna get two of them things
When you gonna drop that new shit?
Expressing disbelief at the length of time fans have been waiting for new music, while also teasing upcoming releases
Quit asking me all that shit God damn
I'm doing me, letting the record reflect, right, yerr what I mean?
Always speaking on me, "Uh what's up with that nigga?"
Don't worry bout it bitch!
Growing exasperated with people constantly questioning the artist's actions and career choices, and advocating for personal freedom and self-expression
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network
Written by: Daniel Alan Maman, Quincy Matthew Hanley, ALAN MAMAN, QUINCEY MATTHEW HANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_Pedro___
“ alchemist my favorite producer and he my friend “
@secondaccount2634
@Jaime Chavez incredibly false statement
@wrathofthewitchqueen
@@secondaccount2634 It was def the best one though
@dreameralways469
You lucky then
@wrathofthewitchqueen
@@dreameralways469 Its a schoolboy q lyric
@budweiser2501
@Jaime Chavez your a hater alchemist is one of the best producers ever up there with Neptunes fuck you talking about
@maaos
the beat out of this world
@Josh0.93
maaos fr tho
@SebsBeenHere
Dawg big facts, this shit hits!
@klynch572
It's pretty smooth