Alchemist has consistently improved his craft over the years more than any producer in Hip-Hop history.

[Corndog]

Folks in here really not giving alc his dues huh

That said
RZA is the GOAT
Madlib has higher highs than alc but doesn't have as much material that people have actually rapped on, and isn't as consistent
Dudes like Pete Rock and Premo got lapped a long time ago, sorry

 

[Bugzbunny129]

Anyone saying Alchemist can't make an entire album needs to listen to My 1st Chemistry Set front to back. Nothing but heat from start to finish.

Al can make good albums

With P he made 2.

His early solos were dope

Even with that newer rapper. The techno bowl guy. Those were dope.

But with other guys, he drops a lot of mediocrity

 

[LOST IN THE SAUCE]

Anyone saying Alchemist can't make an entire album needs to listen to My 1st Chemistry Set front to back. Nothing but heat from start to finish.

I'm not big on Domo Genesis, but the joint they did together is even better production wise IMO. It's like a mix between M1CS and his new style.

 

[mbewane]

Yeah he's consistently giving you good beats but not great ones. The bulk of his greatest beats are his old stuff. He knows what works and he sticks to it so he's been able to remain active.

That's also the thing that holds him back. His fully produced albums get a little stale because he's so predictable. I listen to Madvillainy and Bandana and every song has a different vibe or Madlib is pulling samples from everywhere. You don't know what you're getting from track to track. Al uses the same kind of sounds too often. It's a lot of piano loops and prog rock. I don't revisit his albums and play them front to back.

Al doesn't have the albums that Primo, Pete, RZA, Q Tip, Dilla, and Madlib have. They just have a higher ceiling than him. He's absolutely one of the greats. I don't like ranking musicians but Al's resume doesn't hold up to theirs when it comes to fully produced projects.

Yeah this is it. They have higher highs and Alc is more about consistency.

 

[TheDarceKnight]

Folks in here really not giving alc his dues huh

That said
RZA is the GOAT
Madlib has higher highs than alc but doesn't have as much material that people have actually rapped on, and isn't as consistent
Dudes like Pete Rock and Premo got lapped a long time ago, sorry

Yeah, and there's also an issue of timing. There will never be another Cuban Linx, or 36 Chambers, or Liquid Swords. Even if there was, no one would consider it that way. We've come too far and heard too much music. Nothing will likely ever be that groundbreaking again.

Al's doing about as good as anyone can do with Tea in China, Bo Jackson, Alfredo, Covert Coup, Albert Einstein, Return of the Mac, etc. Those albums are very good. And he's working with as many different kinds of rappers as anyone could as for. Street rappers, weed rappers, lifestyle rappers, goon rappers, hustler rappers, storytellers, abstract writers...he's got projects for many types of rap fans.

Preemo at his best is still my favorite producer of all time, though

 

[TheDarceKnight]

Ignoring the RZA vs Alc debate, so far you've compared him to RZA, J Dilla and Madlib, and I'm beginning the think you've never heard more than a handful of Alchemist beats. I've never heard anyone even compare him to DIlla let alone call him the father of his style. That is an all the way left field take.

Also, saying he only works with known artists is fukking insane. Alc works with tons of unknowns constantly. He's got a albums with Domo Genesis, Armand Hammer, MIKE and Wiki, Fashawn, Oh No, etc.
Not to mention he was working with Griselda when they were nobodies. He made Boldy James the artist he is. He put these people all the way on, and now they're the biggest names in the (semi)underground.

Seems like you really just made a bunch of shyt up. Weirdo behavior tbh

Yeah Dilla isn't much of an Al influence at all. Madlib definitely to a degree with a lot of Al's production the past 10 years.

And yeah, Al works with mad unknown artists. And newer artists. In fact that's the whole reason that he had that 2nd wind to his career, was not being a bitter old head.

Boldy James he put on like you said, but also Currensy too (along with Ski). Covert Coup was right after Pilot Talk 1 or 2. Heavy cosigns on Schoolboy Q, Mac Miller, Odd Future, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Griselda, Cool Kids, etc. He did projects for Willie the Kid, Jay Worthy, and even ChrisCo. I still don't know who the fukk ChrisCo is lol.

Al's ear has always been to the street and I'd argue that's the main things that's helped his relevancy over the years. If he'd never branched out to younger and lesser known artists we'd be listening to Alc just producing for Cormega and AZ and Fat Joe and other legacy acts here in in the 2020's.

 

[Danie84]

ALC just kept evolving when my RZA & Premo GOATs started to decline

 

[Funcrusher]

Yeah, and there's also an issue of timing. There will never be another Cuban Linx, or 36 Chambers, or Liquid Swords. Even if there was, no one would consider it that way. We've come too far and heard too much music. Nothing will likely ever be that groundbreaking again.

Al's doing about as good as anyone can do with Tea in China, Bo Jackson, Alfredo, Covert Coup, Albert Einstein, Return of the Mac, etc. Those albums are very good. And he's working with as many different kinds of rappers as anyone could as for. Street rappers, weed rappers, lifestyle rappers, goon rappers, hustler rappers, storytellers, abstract writers...he's got projects for many types of rap fans.

Preemo at his best is still my favorite producer of all time, though

Completely agree. And if we're being fair, what new rapper can compare to 94/95 Rae, Ghost or Mef. I think Boldy and Conway are outstanding but that magic can never be duplicated, not even by themselves.

I don't think there's another producer that can say he's putting out at least five projects a year in the latter half of a 25+ year career tho, maybe Muggs but that's it (not surprisingly Alc's mentor).

 

[Danie84]

I said what I said. Read it again & try not putting words in my mouth.

RZA fell off. He has produced wack album after wack album for years.

That Disney Miracle, Felt, Necklace, and Wu-Tang Reunion showed RZA can still unlock those chambers