Credit: TIDAL

The Alchemist is one of the most in-demand hip-hop producers, whether collaborating with veteran rappers or the newest lyricists on the scene. His decades-spanning career has seen him produce tracks for the likes of Mobb Deep, Nas, Jadakiss and Ghostface Killah, to releasing collaborative albums with rappers such as Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y, Roc Marciano, Larry June and Earl Sweatshirt.

2024 was a massive year for the producer, having inadvertently involved himself in the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake beef after producing the menacing ‘Meet the Grahams‘. This came after only producing ‘Wick Man’ for Drizzy’s For All the Dogs: Scary Hours Edition in 2023.

A collection of Alchemist’s best work wouldn’t be complete without including the late Prodigy and Evidence, whom he met during the early stages of his career and still collaborates with.

“I’ve been able to have a lot of waves in this game,” he told No Bells in an interview last year. “As a producer, you’re able to do that, maybe more than an artist. You’ve just gotta keep your ears and eyes open and be welcoming to the next shit.”

He continued, “I remember when I first saw MIKE. I remember when I first saw Wiki. I can name a bunch of other things, too. It was like, ‘That’s dope,’ and there’s things there I can learn. Patterns, styles. I learn from all my young homies, and that’s always a blessing.”

Alchemist’s career might not be what it is today without some legendary beatmakers inspiring him. He once told Genius that DJ Premier, Dr Dre, DJ Muggs, Large Professor and Q-Tip were his top five producers.

He called Premier his “illegitimate father” and Dr Dre the “pinnacle of sound,” while crediting Muggs’ “beautiful mess.” He also said Professor “personified all the elements of rap” and described Tip as “the master.” After listing his favourites, he also gave a late mention to Madlib, calling him his “number one inspiration.”

2025 is looking to be another year for the books. In February, he released his collaborative album with 2 Chainz and Larry June, Life Is Beautiful, before dropping his Mixed Fruit Vol 1: Pineapple Ginger project in May. His much-anticipated Forensics album with Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) is also scheduled to arrive.

Check out our playlist of Alchemist’s 25 best beats below for a glimpse at his illustrious career.

The 25 best Alchemist beats

• Prodigy – ‘Keep It Thoro’
• Kendrick Lamar – ‘Meet the Grahams’
• The Alchemist – ‘Hold You Down’
• Roc Marciano – ‘Quantum Leap’
• Jadakiss – ‘We Gonna Make It’
• Westside Gunn – ‘$500 Ounces’
• Dilated Peoples – ‘Worst Comes to Worst’
• Curren$y – ‘Scottie Pippens’
• Benny The Butcher – ‘Broken Bottles’
• Drake – ‘Wick Man’
• Mobb Deep – ‘The Realest’
• Mac Miller – ‘Red Dot Music’
• Boldy James – ‘Great Adventures’
• ScHoolboy Q – ‘Break the Bank’
• Ghostface Killah – ‘Street Chemistry’
• Eminem – ‘Stepdad’
• Kendrick Lamar – ‘Fear’
• Fat Joe – ‘Definition of a Don’
• J Cole – ‘Stickz N Stonez’
• Larry June – ‘Palisades, CA’
• Nas – ‘My Way’
• Earl Sweatshirt – ‘Vin Skully’
• Evidence – ‘Throw It All Away’
• Havoc – ‘Buck 50’s & Bullet Wounds’
• Domo Genesis – ‘Game Breaker’