2012 has been the Alchemist’s year. Not too long ago, it seemed likely that the
Alchemist would go down as one of the many decent but not amazing boom-bap
producers and one of the more mediocre rapper-producers. In late 2009, when it was announced that he
was teaming with Oh No as Gangrene, I was annoyed that I was going to have to
hear him rapping over a bunch of grimy Oh No beats. Honestly, I just wanted another Oh No solo
project without Alc getting in the way (Oh No’s still unreleased Professionals
project with his brother Madlib would have been even better). Alchemist surpassed all expectations on their
first album Gutter Water, and his
rapping wasn’t bad for once. It wasn’t
great either, but still. Proximity to Oh
No seems to have rubbed off on the Alchemist, and after laying relatively low
in 2011, he has released no fewer than five great projects in 2012 and also
contributed standout tracks to albums by heavyweights like Roc Marciano and
Sean Price. The second Gangrene album and the full-length Russian Roulette project were the clear standouts, but his free
collaborative albums with Odd Future spitter Domo Genesis and Flushing, Queens’
Action Bronson are excellent examples of Alchemist’s newly unhinged boom-bap
style. And the Yacht Rock EP is probably the strangest piece of music that
Alchemist has ever released: twelve minutes of Action Bronson, Roc Marciano,
and others rapping about the yacht lifestyle over beats crafted from smooth
Michael McDonald-style yacht rock. Mobb
Deep affiliate Big Twins growling “Yeah, we’re on a yacht” is one of the most
(unintentionally) hilarious musical moments of the year.
Action Bronson & The Alchemist - "The Symbol"
Domo Genesis & The Alchemist - "Elimination Chamber" (feat. Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples & Action Bronson)
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