The Alchemist Sparks Nostalgia with Rare Beat List Featuring DMX, Meth & Red, and More
The Alchemist recently took hip hop fans on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a new post that made them reflect on what could have been. On March 3, the iconic producer shared a snapshot of an old list of beats he had sent to various rappers, dating back to the early 2000s. The post sent a wave of excitement across social media, as it featured the names of some of the most legendary figures in hip hop, including DMX, Method Man, Redman, Styles P, and M.O.P.’s Teflon.
Alchemist’s caption accompanied the photo with a reflective sentiment: “Getting the right beat to the right person has always been an important part of the process to me.” He continued, expressing a sense of missed opportunities: “Never landed one with the dog [DMX] unfortunately. Or Red & Meth. Imagine tho.” His words sparked imaginations across social media, with fans wondering about the lost collaborations that could have come from those iconic pairings.
The Alchemist also shared a glimpse into his meticulous process, revealing his habit of saving everything. “I save everything. Got boxes full of shit,” he added, hinting at the possibility of releasing a book in the future, perhaps shedding more light on his extensive catalog and the music that never saw the light of day.
While these musings on what might have been left fans eager to learn more, The Alchemist has already secured some exciting upcoming collaborations. One highly anticipated project is his joint venture with Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). The two have been working together on a project titled Forensics, which promises to be an innovative departure from the traditional music release process.
Bey recently discussed the release strategy in an interview with The Guardian, describing it as “lo-fi, hi-tech high art.” He explained that Forensics would be released through a unique system, bypassing the streaming paradigm. At shows and on Bandcamp, fans will be able to purchase merchandise—such as lanyards and branded baseball caps—equipped with digital “Bump tags.” These tags, when tapped against a smartphone, will unlock access to online content, including the project’s studio release. The collaboration is said to blend psychedelic beats with spiritual soul, and Bey is expected to dive deep into personal and political themes on what is shaping up to be one of his most introspective works in years.
Yasiin Bey and The Alchemist first teased the project in December with a live event in Paris, where they premiered new materials from Forensics ahead of its official 2025 release. Bey also made waves earlier in the month with the announcement of his first solo project in five years, Money Christmas, produced by the legendary Large Professor. It’s clear that the duo’s creative partnership, paired with their unconventional approach to music distribution, is set to captivate fans and push the boundaries of how music is shared with the world.
While The Alchemist continues to reflect on the past and the collaborations that never happened, his current and upcoming projects with Yasiin Bey, along with his continued contributions to the genre, prove that the producer’s influence remains as strong as ever. Fans are already anticipating what new musical treasures may emerge from his vast archive of beats, collaborations, and creative ideas.
