Pro Era’s own Chuck Strangers is gearing up for a new album very soon. Moreover, his next project A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is set to drop on March 15 of this year via Lex Records, and we already have some singles to tease how great this LP will likely come out. This newest one, “Ski’d Up,” sees the Too Afraid To Dance MC pontificating on family over a buttery smooth beat from none other than The Alchemist. Overall, it’s exactly the kind of reflective, measured, and grounded boom-bap that the Joey Bada$$ fronted Pro Era collective burst onto the scene with over a decade ago. Fortunately, the rapper proves that it’s still as captivating as ever.
Furthermore, that’s largely due to Uncle Al’s simple but ridiculously effective beat here, which is a bit more calm and woozy than Chuck Strangers’ usual output. For example, the woodwind loop here is an ethereal and meditative melody for the “Regular Season” artist to flow over, and one that lends itself well to spontaneous and focused flow switches. In addition, The Alchemist’s percussive treatment slightly mutes the kick and snare to make them small details which still loom large over such a minimalist beat. As the Brooklyn lyricist delves deeper into family relationships, his day-to-day, and his motivation to keep finding success, subtle pads and echoes give “Ski’d Up” more atmosphere.
Chuck Strangers’ “Ski’d Up” With The Alchemist: Stream
Meanwhile, the California beatsmith has works of his own to look forward to and celebrate, such as his Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine collab tape Hall & Nash 2 and his (presumably) upcoming link-up with Kid Cudi. As we wait for A Forsaken Lover’sPlea, we can’t imagine Chuck Strangers failing to engage listeners with his rhymes and perspective. As such, we’re glad “Ski’d Up” points in that direction. If you haven’t heard the song yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and peep standout bars below. Also, stay logged into HNHH for more great hip-hop releases around the clock.
Quotable Lyrics “Auntie, can I roll this weed up?” (Of course you can), ‘Cause when I twist the last spliff of the ounce, we piled in the suburban to bounce, We fixed on getting larger amounts, F**k what you made on the job, it’s what you take to the house
Kid Cudi is really manifesting all of his wishes within the creative world, because he recently linked up with The Alchemist for a studio session. Of course, the two previously worked together about 15 years ago, but Cudi had tweeted last year how he wanted to do a full album with the legendary producer. Uncle Al responded with enthusiasm, and it looks like those wishes are coming to fruition. Moreover, fans can’t wait to hear what the two could craft together, even if they don’t make a full project. What’s more is that this excitement ramped up thanks to the Cleveland creative walking back his retirement announcement from last year.
Furthermore, Kid Cudi expressed as such during an interview with Zane Lowe discussing his new album INSANO, his creative path, and so much more. “I was kind of out of it,” he remarked concerning his commitment to hanging it up. “I was just in this place where I was thinking about my future. It just didn’t seem like there was really an appetite for my music in the ways that it used to be.
“I finally got through that whole retirement thing because I talked to my friend Brian,” Kid Cudi went on. “The world knows him as KAWS. He was like, ‘Hey man, I don’t mean to get in your business, but I think that you should rethink this retirement thing. I think you could be around for a long time.’ And to see Brian come to me real, like -– and he’s never approached me about my music or talked to me about my music ever before -– it hit me in a different way. And literally after that message, I was like, s**t man, he’s right. I’m just getting warm.“
Meanwhile, elsewhere during this conversation, the two briefly touched down on his beef with Lupe Fiasco. Given the Chicago rapper’s response to all this, it seems unlikely that this rift will heal anytime soon, which is unfortunate for fans of both. Regardless, it’s still exciting to see where Mr. Rager will go from here, and how he continues to become happier, healthier, and more at peace throughout his endeavors. Stick around on HNHH for more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi and The Alchemist.
The Alchemist keeps proving himself as one of the game’s best producers year after year, but it seems like not everyone’s caught up. Moreover, Billboard recently put out their list of the 25 best hip-hop producers of all time, including Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, J Dilla, and many more. However, Uncle Al didn’t make the list, something that many hip-hop fans lamented online despite the incredibly steep competition across the culture’s 50 years. Via Twitter on Thursday (December 28), he suggested that he was pretty unbothered by the lack of mention while maintaining that the important thing is to focus on proving yourself right every single time.
“but my mommy said i’m the best!!! lol,” The Alchemist joked along with a praying hands emoji in response to Billboard‘s ranking. “Just keep going cr*zy,” he added about an hour later on the social media platform, seemingly continuing his train of thought. “Ignore the scoreboard. By the time they do the math you’ll be so up that it won’t even matter.” Given the California native’s incredible and prolific run of projects and credits in the 2020s decade alone, it’s clear that he’s not slowing down at all in this regard.
Most recently– in fact, just yesterday at press time– The Alchemist released Hall & Nash 2, a collaborative tape with Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn. This was originally meant to be a sequel mixtape to the original Hall & Nash by the Griselda duo over half a decade ago. Alas, they used some of these tracks like “Ray Mysterio” for other projects, but they now released the original version of the record for fans to enjoy. Not only that, but apparently they’re coming through with an revamped version later in 2024, which should be very exciting.
Meanwhile, the 46-year-old also has some new music with Yasiin Bey coming soon, of which he previewed some at a recent show. As his collaborations expand and his status further cements itself in the contemporary game, he becomes much more than just a legend. LeBron’s still putting up spectacular numbers… why can’t beatmakers do the same? For more news and the latest updates on The Alchemist, log back into HNHH.
Just when we thought Christmas Day couldn’t get any better in 2023, we have a new (and hopefully fantastic) album to look forward to. Moreover, The Alchemist announced that he will be releasing the original version of the Hall & Nash 2 mixtape with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine. This will continue the prolific run that these artists have been on for years now, but it comes with some historical context. It’s a sequel project to the Griselda rappers’ original tape from around 2015, and this original version will drop exclusively in physical formats (vinyl, cassettes, and CDs) on Friday, December 29 with a new version coming later in 2024. Let’s allow Uncle Al to explain.
“When i first linked with @westsidegunn & @whoisconway the original plan was to do a Hall & Nash 2 tape,” The Alchemist wrote. “From the first day in the lab, i knew i needed these guys on my beats more than they needed my beats. The s**t was coming out cr*zy. They linked with [ScHoolboy Q] one day at my spot and made one. We knew we had something good. While we were finishing the project, they signed their deal with Shady.
“We ended up changing the plan to drop H&N2, & over time used some of the songs for different things,” The Alchemist continued. “But a handful of songs never came out, & the original version of the album was never released. Now for the first time, the OG version of Hall & Nash 2 will be released on vinyl cd and tape. Collectors item for the day ones. FRIDAY. 12 NOON E.S.T. ALCRECORDS.COM. Limited version artwork by @ral_duke . Next year me @daringer_ Wes & Conway already cooking an official HALL & NASH 2. u have been warned.“
Meanwhile, this comes after the legendary producer cosigned Kid Cudi’s idea for a collaborative project. As such, we could be getting a whole lot more greatness from these creatives in 2024, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, they put out too much amazing stuff to expect any less from them. For more news and updates on The Alchemist, Westside Gunn, and Conway The Machine, stay logged into HNHH.
The Alchemist recently hosted a one-off show along with MIKE and Wiki to perform their new 2023 album, Faith Is A Rock. On Thursday (November 30), he and these two amazing MCs hit the Teragram Ballroom and performed together for the first time. However, one of the most exciting parts of the show happened when Uncle Al previewed new music with the one and only Yasiin Bey, which many of you might know better as Mos Def. In fact, it’s a bit of a left hook: rather than rap through the beat, he decided to take on a more melodic delivery as he muses through his themes. Regardless, it was still a great taste.
Moreover, The Alchemist and Yasiin Bey don’t have much of a collaborative history, which makes this all the more exciting. Still, the former has worked with the latter’s Black Star partner, Talib Kweli, so we can assume that they have a lot to love for each other. That legendary collaboration turned 25 years old this year, which also adds another touching angle to this premiere. Even after all these years, Bey remains one of the most respected, beloved, and influential MCs of all time.
Of course, this also prompts some speculation– or rather, pipe dreams– about a joint project between him and Uncle Al. After all, the iconic producer is well-known for crafting some of the best collab albums in rap history, and keeps dropping excellent team-ups. Faith Is A Rock is just one example from this year, with another being the impeccably crafted VOIR DIRE with Earl Sweatshirt. With this history in mind, it’s only natural that fans want to see what he can unlock within any other MCs over the course of a full LP.
Meanwhile, the artist formerly known as Mos Def took some time earlier in 2023 to pay respect to some of hip-hop’s titans. Much like how the beatmaker is a pivotal part of so many careers, De La Soul is even more important, and he thanked them for paving the way for him and so many others. All these artists continue to make great strides today, and it’s exciting to see how legends keep growing. On that note, check back in with HNHH for more news and the latest updates on The Alchemist and Yasiin Bey.
These artists have already had a prolific, very successful, and acclaimed 2023, but would they really be the amazing hip-hop figures we adore if they didn’t keep striking when the iron is hot? Moreover, The Alchemist, Curren$y, Boldy James, and Westside Gunn just dropped a remix to “No Yeast.” This cut appeared on Uncle Al and Spitta’s 2022 collab album Continuance, and featured the Detroit MC. However, this isn’t a question of just throwing a verse from the Griselda icon on here; each lyricistwrote a new verse for it. It would’ve been cool to see the producer switch up the beat a little bit, but with three brand-new sets of bars to sink our teeth into, how could we complain?
Furthermore, the instrumental here is a tender sample flip with gorgeous vocals, deep bass, and dreamy guitar lines, plus some ambient applause noise. The Alchemist dominates these soundscapes, and always knows how to keep up potent chemistry with the rappers he works with. In this case, this provides a warm bed for Boldy James, Curren$y, and Westside Gunn to come through with confident, emphatic, but still reflective and laidback verses. Well, Flygod still comes through with his trademark energy, charisma, and braggadocious attitude as the brand-new artist over this beat. Even when he switched to trap-inspired sounds on his 2023 album And Then You Pray For Me, he always showed why he’s so captivating as a mic presence and writer.
The Alchemist, Curren$y, Boldy James & Westside Gunn’s “No Yeast” Remix: Stream
Meanwhile, Boldy James opens the track up with evocative writing about the world around him and what he needs to get by. Curren$y balances out his somber flow with Gunn’s bravado, closing the song out with a solidly boastful but grounded verse. After The Alchemist’s prolific run, the latest of which is his Flying High, Part 2 EP- and that of the MCs here- it’s no wonder everything they touch turns to gold. If you haven’t heard the “No Yeast” remix yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and peep some standout bars from it down below. As always, keep checking in with HNHH for more great hip-hop each week.
Quotable Lyrics My yank different, he lift his face from the plate Thought it was Christmas, over a thousand dollar dishes wishin’ In Honolulu, Dior, daddy shorts lookin’ Nunu But never call me Nunu if I never knew you
On Friday (November 3), one of hip-hop’s most legendary, hard-working, and enduring producers is dropping yet another project. Moreover, The Alchemist just shared some very promising additional details on his forthcoming EP, Flying High Part Two. Of course, the main thing that most people look for on producer-led projects like these are the featured guests. While any offering from Uncle Al is exciting no matter if he’s solo or paired up with someone else, the special guests on this five-track offering are right up his alley. They are all former collaborators that he has spectacular chemistry with, so we can’t wait to see what they cook up.
Furthermore, let’s go into this EP’s revealed tracklist. In contrast to its excellent predecessor, Flying High Part Two will contain a solo song as its opener, “Turkish Link.” It’s unclear whether this is just an instrumental from The Alchemist or if he’ll be spitting bars for it. Given his recent “Nothing Is Freestyle,” in which he raps with ease, confidence, and skill- plus the fact that “Turkish Link” has an instrumental version on its Side B- we can assume that he’ll tap into that once again. Speaking of instrumental versions, one will be available for each of the five main songs, making this a ten-cut effort in total.
The same was true for the original Flying High, whose four tracks paired up with their instrumental versions to make for an eight-song EP. However, another difference present in its sequel is the amount of features. We have one for each of the remaining four songs on Flying High Part Two: Conway The Machine on “Phil Drummond,” Action Bronson on “Vertigo,” Oh No on “Royal Hand” (credited as Gangrene, the duo comprising of Oh No and The Alchemist), and Curren$y on “Pain Different.” Whereas its first installment had two MCs on each main song, its sequel keeps the spotlight solely on one lyricist- and one producer, of course.
Meanwhile, with all this in mind, it’s hard to be anything less than excited for Flying High Part Two. With other albums like Faith Is A Rock with MIKE and Wiki and VOIR DIRE with Earl Sweatshirt under his belt for 2023, the iconic beatmaker is going to keep building this year up to be one of his best. What else can we expect? For more news and the latest updates on The Alchemist, stick around on HNHH.
We all know that ASAP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator are the best of friends, but don’t think that the Mob’s frontman isn’t down with the rest of the Odd Future alumni. Moreover, Rocky and Earl Sweatshirt were recently pictured in The Alchemist’s legendary home studio. Even though the iconic producer isn’t in the photo, the stack of records and general set-up is instantly recognizable for anyone slightly familiar with how it looks. If you’re one of those people who’s enough of a fan to know Uncle Al’s cave, they you’re probably very excited at the thought of these two MCs teaming up together on a track with a production legend.
Of course, the most obvious immediate thought with this is that this could be for ASAP Rocky’s upcoming album. While it’s unlikely given delays and how long it’s been in the oven, it would still be wild to see how he could match with Earl Sweatshirt. Their styles are quite different, but they can both easily tap into each other’s typical lanes or general appeals. Just look at Pretty Flacko’s lyrical displays on tracks like “Canal St.,” or at the Tan Cressida leader’s wavy and woozy recent single “Making The Band (Danity Kane).”
However, it’s just as exciting to think about The Alchemist being both artists’ connective tissue, as he can really call the shots from behind the board. Maybe this will be part of another collab-heavy project like the Flying High EP, a solo release, or the unthinkable: ASAP Rocky and Earl Sweatshirt were just hanging out with Al at his place with no plans to drop anything. That’s the disappointing answer for fans, but can’t we let some friends chill out without any expectations? After all, the SICK! spitter and the ALC Records mastermind just gave us a full collaborative effort, VOIR DIRE.
As such, the bottom line is that it’s just great to see these amazing individuals come together, whether they release something or not. There’s a lot of anticipation for the father of two in particular given he hasn’t dropped in five years. If this picture is any indication, then we should get nothing less than something really special soon, if only for the fact that he’s around the right people. For more news and updates on Earl Sweatshirt, ASAP Rocky, and The Alchemist, check back in with HNHH.
Last year, Roc Marciano and The Alchemist collaborated for one of 2022’s best rap albums: The Elephant Man’s Bones. For the lyrically-minded and for fans of abstract production, this project filled pretty much every niche and desire. In addition, the duo bolstered it with excellent features from Boldy James, Action Bronson, Ice-T, and Knowledge The Pirate. However, they weren’t quite done with it just yet, and they realized that there’s more to share from his fitting, chemistry-filled, and creative team-up. With two new bonus tracks, the underground legends graced us with The ALC Edition of this album, fitting for a 2023 revamp.
Furthermore, now’s the perfect time to tune into Roc Marciano’s latest if you missed it last year. These new bonus tracks represent everything that made The Elephant Man’s Bones such a compelling LP, and The Alchemist doesn’t slouch in the slightest. “DNA” opens with a menacing bassline and string arrangement, providing fertile ground for the New York MC to stomp on with vivid and twisted hunger. Conversely, the dreamy synth pads and chill, perky rhythms on “Turkey Wings” offer Marciano’s verses a more nostalgic and laidback context.
The Elephant Man’s Bones The ALC Edition From Roc Marciano & The Alchemist: Stream
Meanwhile, it’s actually been a busy couple of weeks for Uncle Al, revamping one of 2022’s best and dropping what will surely be one of 2023’s best. On Friday (August 25), he and Earl Sweatshirt unveiled VOIR DIRE, releasing it completely for free (no DSPs yet, though) and putting up each individual track for purchase as an NFT. We’ll never complain about new music from these incredible wordsmiths, or from one of hip-hop’s best producers. If you haven’t heard The Elephant Man’s Bones The ALC Edition yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and peep the tracklist below. Also, stay up to date on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Roc Marciano and The Alchemist.
Tracklist 1. Rubber Hand Grip 2. Daddy Kane (feat. Action Bronson) 3. Deja Vu 4. Quantum Leap 5. The Elephant Man’s Bones 6. Bubble Bath 7. Liquid Coke 8. Trillion Cut (feat. Boldy James) 9. The Horns of Abraxas (feat. Ice-T) 10. JJ Flash 11. Zig Zag Zig 12. Stigmata 13. Zip Guns (feat. Knowledge The Pirate) 14. Think Big 15. DNA – Bonus Track 16. Turkey Wings – Bonus Track
In August of this year, the same month that he released this new album with The Alchemist, Earl Sweatshirt celebrated the ten-year anniversary of his studio debut Doris with a series of live shows, one of which hosted a reunion of the collective that propelled him into fame: Odd Future. In that time span, his talent and honesty propelled him further into peace. The meet-up was a wholesome, fulfilling, and nostalgic moment for fans, despite the wildly different directions those careers went in individually. For Earl, that path unraveled his personal growth and grievances, exploring his highs and lows in the search for the truth behind his story. On VOIR DIRE, he seems closer to that goal than he’s ever been on wax, without compromising what makes him and the legendary producer such idiosyncratic and captivating figures in hip-hop.
Moreover, this new 11-track and near-28-minute-long LP was released under unconventional methods and with mysterious origins. For those unaware, it followed years of teases of a full collab project that was apparently on YouTube under a different name, according to The Alchemist. When a joint effort between him and Earl Sweatshirt finally dropped, it was on the NFT-centered site Gaia Music (where you can stream VOIR DIRE for free), with each track available for purchase with its artwork and yielding advertised rewards like T-shirts, FaceTime calls, and a smoke session. Needless to say, it’s a cryptic record in the streaming age: free, yet on the blockchain, and taking a bit more effort to tune in from fans. Nevertheless, it might be the most consistent, cohesive, and no-frills album that either has dropped in years.
Earl Sweatshirt’s Lyrical Excellence & Chemistry With The Alchemist
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 03: Rapper Earl Sweatshirt performs on stage during Primavera Sound 2022 on June 03, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jim Bennett/WireImage/Getty Images)
To achieve this, the Chicago-born and Santa Monica-raised MC and Uncle Al complement each other’s styles seamlessly. The latter’s cavernous, tight, dense, and always gorgeous sample flips are caves and pockets that the former explores meanderingly, but with conviction and an avalanche of exciting and dynamic flows. Earl Sweatshirt is one of the most expressive, emotionally impactful, and downright skillful lyricists today, and The Alchemist has been an excellent partner (and also leader) for his tales. Both shift between moods on VOIR DIRE, though, pushing each other to new corners. Al can be dramatic, soft, funky, grimy, or melancholic; Earl comes off as confident, downtrodden, nihilistic, triumphant, reflective, and wholly present in the moment, all at once.
On that last note, recalling every amazing bar on here without running VOIR DIRE from front to back is impossible. Whether it’s his sharp wordplay and references, his stark imagery, or his gut-wrenching phrasing, the 29-year-old comes off as wise beyond lifetimes. Tracks like “Geb” and “Mac Deuce” attest to his unmatched abilities in the game. But for every high, there’s a pained and brutally sincere examination of the journey there, like “Vin Skully” or “Dead Zone.” Also, newer topics in his discography emerge, like being a father on “27 Braids” (“She said I got a son on the way, made my bed so that’s where I’ma lay”) or somber reflections on violence in rap that took his collaborator and fellow Cali MC Drakeo The Ruler on “Free The Ruler” (“Streetcar called pride droppin’ n***as off in the morgue… It’s not normal, but I swear this s**t is regular”).
VOIR DIRE‘s Sonic Palettes & Structures
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 31: The Alchemist performs during NBA Leather Tour at O2 Academy Brixton on May 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns/Getty Images)
In order to condense these expressions in sonic form, The Alchemist makes the most out of what seems like a little. Sample loops evolve once Earl Sweatshirt’s verses end, the instrumentals fade in and out with new minimal details, and spoken word passages add to VOIR DIRE’s truth and story-driven themes. What often happens on this album is that a tear-jerking instrumental will contrast with boastful or hopeful lines, and vice versa. As such, they end up creating a nuanced and complex emotional image with each track, which makes itself more unique among the cast with each listen. Some highlights include the shimmering keys on “All The Small Things,” the infectious guitar lick on “Vin Skully” (one of many), the shrill and lo-fi strings on “100 High Street,” and the breezy woodwind melodies on- you guessed it, “My Brother, The Wind.”
Of course, the Tan Cressida rapper is no stranger to beats like these, especially from Uncle Al. For a while now, Earl Sweatshirt has been a master at the short but punch-packing one-verse hip-hop song formula, sometimes with a chorus. There’s as much emotion in the lyrics as there is in a given song’s sound. For example, “My Brother, The Wind” hits you with self-aware, regretful, but optimistic assessments like, “Etch-A-Sketch what I live, shiverin’, erasin’ what I did, opaque, be complacent as the wind.” In addition, there are the reflections on diamonds in the rough on “All The Small Things”: “New s**t consumed quick, it’s perishable, embed it with gold and it’s gon’ never get old.”
Still, there are plenty of left hooks, impressive innovations, and unearthed previous tendencies on VOIR DIRE, as familiar as this aesthetic territory is for both artists. One shining example is the shifting and malleable flows and rhythmic accents on “Sentry.” While Earl Sweatshirt gives the track a 4/4 feel, MIKE’s gripping feature verse brings the track to a 3/4 swing that can completely change how you conceptualize the song as you listen. It’s a small detail, but with an album at this level of craft, it’s those minute concoctions that make it so engaging. Another standout surprise is “Sirius Blac,” whose easy-going beat mixes its glittering joy with a chorus, verse, and delivery reminiscent of early Odd Future anthems that could’ve popped up on Doris, something Earl hasn’t fully tapped into in a long time.
However, that familiarity is what might land as lukewarm for fans who tune into VOIR DIRE. Earl and Al are simply doing what they do best, and what they’ve already condensed into masterworks. With that in mind, this album isn’t a revolution for either musician at first glance. It’s definitely a niche-scratching effort, but it yields some of the best material either has ever put out because of its simplicity, concise nature and for being probably the most tender thing either of them has ever released. Finally, if you complained about this NFT concept, the only true crime of two rap legends getting their bag through a free album and a new avenue that brings fans closer than streaming services ever could is that the web player on Gaia is glitchy, and that’s a fortunate thing to name as the project’s greatest flaw.
Overall, this long-awaited collab album is everything fans ask from this duo. Despite its brevity, it packs addictive instrumentals, so many rewind-warranting lyrics, and seemingly every theme under the sun into a powerfully all-killer and honest project. Family, genealogy, ego, regret, death, constancy, uncertainty, hope, perseverance, and much more fall under Earl’s magnifying glass, and the lens this time is much more calm, measured, accountable, and accepting of his path forward from past mistakes and struggles. It might not tread completely new ground, but it sums up the abstract lyricist’s past work with a beatsmith who’s been there for him every step of the way: I Don’t Like S**t‘s hunger and darkness, SRS‘ dejected solitude, mixed with Alfredo’s sheen and Return of the Mac’s hope. They champion their humanity, and through the specific vividness of their emotions, they create something universal, potent, and comforting.
Akin to the legal term behind its namesake, which determines a witness or juror’s ability to tell the truth, VOIR DIRE hammers on the veracity and authenticity behind each creative’s artistry. Like the spoken word passage on the closing track states, their mission is to make listeners understand them as individuals, for which The Alchemist provides some of his most crisp and heartfelt instrumentals in years that define his undefinable style. The result is a highly compelling exercise in providing context and clarity to Earl’s whole career: his demons, dreams, dominance, and determination — things he’s tackled since before Odd Future welcomed him. Thebe Neruda Kgositsile’s endured a lot, with his art updating his unfiltered perspective as the world’s student. Rather than dwelling on peaks and valleys, it feels like Earl’s finally found balance in his growth, and is grateful for the ride.
