NEW YORK (KOCH Records) - There's a good chance you may already know just exactly who The Alchemist is. As one of the most in-demand hip-hop producers, Al has already crafted anthems for a virtual who's who of the genre including NAS, Mobb Deep, Jadakiss,
Snoop Dogg and numerous others. The Alchemist is now set to step into the spotlight as he gets ready to release his much-anticipated debut album "1st Infantry" on ALC Records/KOCH Records.
Streeting on September 21st, the new album is already being deemed "A triumph" by XXL. Vibe has been equally complimentary, giving the album 4 out of 5 discs and heralding him as "THE go-to producer for the East-Coast street sound."
"1st Infantry's" first single "Hold You Down" feat. Prodigy, Nina Sky and Illa Ghee is already making waves on New York's Hot 97 while a video for the record has already shipped to B.E.T. The clip was directed by Estevan Oriol (Cypress Hill, Blink-182).
"1st Infantry" features a mix of artists who best compliment Al's progressive sound as well a slew of others who Al has worked with over the years. "Bangers," the first street joint leaked from the release, features G-Unit's very own Lloyd Banks - it's already received a lot of love on mixtapes across the country. Other guests on the forthcoming album include Cypress Hill, Havoc and Prodigy of Mobb Deep, T.I., Dilated Peoples, Jadakiss, Devin the Dude, NAS, the West Coast's top prospect The Game, and many others.
As a much sought-after producer, The Alchemist most recently produced a track on Jadakiss' new album, "Kiss of Death." He also produced four tracks on Mobb Deep's just-released chart-topping album, "Amerikaz Nightmare" including its first single "Got It Twisted."
Since recently being added to the management roster of Paul Rosenberg, founder of powerhouse firm Goliath Artists (Eminem, Xzibit, Cypress Hill), The Alchemist looks forward to taking his biggest and best step forward in his work in the coming year. Al can also be heard on Coca-Cola's new Vanilla Coke radio commercial that he produced and performed on with acclaimed actor, Chazz Palminteri ("Usual Suspects," "Bronx Tale").
It was with Mobb Deep that The Alchemist started to be recognized for his more aggressive style of beat making when he produced two highlights on the group's platinum album gem, "Murda Muzik" ("The Realest," "Thug Music"). While the underground crowd was already aware of Al's tendency for hardcore tracks, artists like Fat Joe ("Bring it On"), Eminem ("Get Back") Freddy Fox ("Stock in The Game") and Capone-N-Noreaga ("Bang, Bang") soon noticed Al as a producer that could prepare the right musical background for them to capture their aggression.
He has been sought out for projects with Jadakiss ("We Gone Make it"), Prodigy ("Keep It Thoro"), NAS ("Book Of Rhymes"), Snoop Dogg ("Hey Girl"), Ludacris, Ghostface Killah, Big Daddy Kane as well as alternative acts such as Linkin Park and Morcheeba.
Despite the increasing attention from high profile acts, Al continues to cater to his underground audience with just as much enthusiasm.
A confirmed sequence for "1st Infantry" is as follows:
1. Intro
2. Dead Bodies - featuring The Game and Prodigy
3. Your Boy Al (Interlude)
4. The Essence - featuring The LOX
5. Hold You Down featuring Prodigy, Nina Sky and Illa Ghee
6. Industry Rule 4080 (Interlude)
7. Stop The Show featuring Stat Quo and MOP
8. D Block To QB featuring Havoc, Noyd, Styles and J-Hood
9. Bangers featuring. Lloyd Banks
10. Where Can We Go featuring Devin The Dude
11. It's A Craze featuring Mobb Deep
12. For The Record featuring Dilated Peoples
13. Boost The Crime Rate featuring Sheek and J-Hood
14. Strength Of Pain featuring Chinky
15. A Soul Assassins Tale (Interlude)
16. Bang Out featuring B-Real (of Cypress Hill)
17. Tick Tock featuring Nas and Prodigy
18. Pimp Squad featuring T.I. and The P$C
19. Different Worlds featuring Twin
