Three In The Chamber From The Alchemist's "Russian Roulette"

Three In The Chamber From The Alchemist’s “Russian Roulette”

Last week, I was bemoaning the fact that save for a few scant upcoming releases, there wasn’t anything in the world of Hip Hop worth getting excited about this summer. Killer Mike and El-P’s albums had come and passed (both of them excellent, by the way), Big K.R.I.T.’s debut fell on deaf ears, and I’d resigned myself to the fact I’d have to wait ‘til the fourth quarter before A$AP Rock and Kendrick Lamar drop their projects because, like movies, the summer is blockbuster territory and the fall/winter is for winners (though Moonrise Kingdom is fucking sweet). July and August were looking like a couple of dismal, Ace Hood-heavy months in the world of music, and I was about ready to thrown in the towel on music.

And then I saw that The Alchemist was dropping album, and lo and behold, all was set right in the world of Wally Sean.

This July 17, California producer/personal fav of the Wally Man is preparing the release of his third production compilation LP Russian Roulette via Decon Records, and it looks like the Cali beatsmith has brought along som of Hip Hop’s top new spitters for some. The guest features on these three songs alone is like a rap game A-Team (word to Riff Raff): Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, Danny Brown and ScHoolboy Q all bless the mic on these cuts. And that’s not ever the tip of the iceberg, kiddos. Russian Roulette is 30 songs long and also features Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Evidence, Meyhem Lauren, Chuuwee and Big Twinz, just to name a few. So audacious, and I’m stoked.

To be honest, I have no clue why it’s taken me this long to post all these killer cuts from Alc. I’ve been a big fan of his for a number of years now, and with this new crop of rappers just going all types of left field with their delivery and content, it’s great to see The Alchemist build with them. Yeah, dude cut his teeth with more traditional cats Mobb Deep and the L.O.X., but so much of his music is grounded in the world of underground Hip Hop, it’d be weird not to find him collabing with a lot of these newer dudes.

Also, I’d be remiss in not giving props to Decon, Side Street of Life and Kush and Kicks for uploading the tunes on Soundcloud. You’re making my life easier, gents.

- Sean

The Alchemist Feat. Danny Brown and ScHoolboy Q - “Flight Confirmation”