Review: “Chemical Warfare” by the Alchemist

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

For those curious about what’s been going on in the hip-hop scene, both mainstream and underground, beatsmith The Alchemist’s latest release “Chemical Warfare” gives hip-hop heads a reason to rejoice.

Born in Beverly Hills and taken under the wing of DJ Muggs, DJ/producer for Cypress Hill and Soul Assassins, The Alchemist is best known for producing beats on both sides of the coast, notably for underground hip-hop crew Dilated Peoples, Mobb Deep, Nas and Fat Joe.

On what can be considered the signature lazy summer track “Smile,” guest MC Twista steals the show with his impossibly fast flows. On “Keep the Heels On,” The Alchemist creeps back into some stilted-eerie synth beats while Prodigy of Mobb Deep brings about his gritty rhymes that recall the group’s early hardcore roots. Underground heavyweight Talib Kweli, Kid Cudi and Evidence stop by on “Therapy” to break The Alchemist’s minimal guitar rhythm open with stream-of-consciousness flows. This album altogether is a highlight for hip-hop followers wanting proof that their favorite rappers haven’t faded away.

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