Not many producers in hip-hop’s history are able to make the claims that The Alchemist currently can. On top of genuinely architecting much of the genre’s sound in the 2000s, the producer remains one of the hottest commodities in the current scene some two decades later. So what could he possibly add to the resume? In recent years, The Alchemist has stepped from behind the boards and into the booth more and more, building on his early 1990s work as a bonafide MC all these years later. Delivering a project focused entirely on his skills as a rapper, here’s everything you need to know about what The Alchemist accomplishes with The Genuine Articulate.
On The Genuine Articulate, The Alchemist Recruits His One-Of-A-Kind Collaborators
As with his previous MC-focused endeavors, part of the appeal simply comes from the Rolodex The Chemist amassed over his defining career. To that end, The Genuine Articulate culminates with the Conway the Machine-assisted “Diego Maradona,” built atop a grimy, menacing bit of boom bap with a phasing & panning mix accentuating the two rappers’ contributions. Given the “true hip-hop” respect the Buffalo native holds, it’s impressive that “best verse” is somewhat of a toss-up here: “Maradona bounced the ball on the shin bone / Tan buttercup the raw got her skin tone / Pillow-talkers got the spot where I send blown / If it wasn’t for the blitz it would’ve been thrown.”
There are certainly a few moments where Al is truly just trying things, and with a catalog as deep as his, it’s hard to argue with that concept. One such track is “Minnesota Fats,” utilizing a 1950s chunky guitar that saunters below him and frequent collaborator Action Bronson. There’s a lot of overlap and thus synergy in their imagery-laden styles, and if you’re able to get past just how out-of-left-field the production choice is, there’s a lot to love. Additionally, devotees of the Action Bronson universe will note that Big Body Bes returns to the mix, evidently past the spat that separated the cousins for a number of years.
Al’s Seasoned Two-Way Talent Shines Once Again
Speaking of reunions, the appearance of ScHoolboy Q and Larry June, both reaching a (renewed) apex in their careers in their time since linking up with the Alchemist, is enough to cheer any hardcore rap fan up on its own merits. The fact that their songs are so enjoyable is really just a cherry on top. Particularly the TDE signee, hot off the heels of his Blue Lips record, exuding charisma and charm once again and making the era of “W.Y.G.D.T.N.S.”—where he addressed fans clamoring for new music—seem like it was a century ago.
All told, there may not be anything totally revolutionary The Alchemist provides on The Genuine Articulate, short of establishing once again that his talents in front of the mic are arguably just as impressive as behind the boards. Those familiar with his work will almost assuredly find plenty of red meat here, and though it may be a little outside of the mainstream, those who aren’t clued in won’t be disappointed with this short LP.
You can find The Genuine Articulate and everything The Alchemist has a part in on streaming platforms everywhere.
Elsewhere in our coverage, we revisited the stellar career of Caroline Polachek—you should too.
