Alchemist Camp Registration (Ft. Step Brothers, Action Bronson, Blu & Domo Genesis)

Alchemist is quietly becoming a pillar figure in hip-hop. His discography dates back to his childhood group with a young Scott Caan as The Whooliganz, work under DJ Muggs and The Soul Assassins in the 90s, his breakthrough work with NY royalty like Mobb Deep, Nas, The LOX, and underground legends like Dilated Peoples. He even has a side gig as Eminem's DJ. In recent years, he's produced entire collaborative projects with folks like Action Bronson, Curren$y, Domo Genesis, Fashawn, Prodigy and Durag Dynasty.

It's safe to say Al's put in the work, but he's not resting on his laurels. For his latest act, the producer links with couture streetwear firm SSUR for a snapback that flips the logo on the ASR-10 into ALC-10 -- an ill design for those that know the sampler's history in hip-hop.

To celebrate the release of the hat, Alchemist reaches into his rolodex and assembles a rap camp to spit over a three-track EP. The lead song, aptly titled "Camp Registration," brings in Evidence, Action Bronson, Blu, Domo Genesis, and Al himself to drop a seamless tapestry of bars over some soulful, knocking hip-hop. The track is actually a collab beat between Alchemist and Bombay, who some nerds will know as the sole producer of Blu's upcoming full-length album. Everyone on the track comes with it, but I personally enjoy Al's bars the most because of this: "I'm still out grinding, chasing a dream/nights I slept with my face in the machine." Word.