Review of ‘The Genuine Articulate’: The Alchemist Collaborates with ScHoolboy Q, Conway The Machine, and More

Alan The Alchemist has just released his latest album, The Genuine Articulate, on streaming platforms last week. This marks Alc’s first solo studio album of the year, following his extensive work as a producer for various artists in 2024, including Hit-Boy, Big Hit, A$AP Rocky, and many more.

The Genuine Articulate officially dropped on September 20, 2024, under ALC, featuring a total of eight full-length tracks. The album includes collaborations with frequent partners such as ScHoolboy Q, Larry June, Havoc, Action Bronson, Big Body Bes, and Conway The Machine.

Alongside his impressive roster of collaborations, the album also highlights The Alchemist’s rap skills, with several tracks showcasing captivating vocal deliveries and energetic verses.

Alc deftly employs deeper cadences, rapid flows, and engaging rhyme schemes, demonstrating his prowess as both a rapper and a performing artist.

Exploring The Alchemist’s New Studio Album ‘The Genuine Articulate’

Over a week has passed since Alan first unveiled his project, The Genuine Articulate, through posts on his official social media channels, revealing the album’s abstract cover art and title.

The anticipation surrounding this new project was built up with the release of the lead single, Ferraris In The Rain (Feat. ScHoolboy Q), which became available on streaming platforms on September 10, 2024. This was accompanied by an official music video shared on The Alchemist’s YouTube channel.

Alan’s latest album has a total runtime of 22 minutes, packed with diverse vocal performances over vibrant and energetic productions. The LP features lively samples, catchy loops, and dynamic drum patterns, ensuring a memorable listening experience.

Key themes explored in The Genuine Articulate include:

• Fatherhood
• Life
• Growth
• Change
• Excess
• Drug Abuse
• Alcohol
• Violence
• Status
• Luxury
• Wealth
• Independence

Ferraris In The Rain (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

The album kicks off with the high-energy single Ferraris In The Rain, featuring ScHoolboy Q. This track combines an aggressive hip-hop vibe with themes of success, luxury, wealth, status, and competition, with comparisons drawn to the Thracian gladiator Spartacus.

“Wrap a ribbon around his wig and make him crisp (The f–k you doin’, man?) / I’m a genuine article (Uh) / The jammy’s a food processor, it’ll blend you into particles / Inside a venue, I’m Spartacus (Me) / I’m the finisher, you still working with a starter kit (Come on) / That boy is buggin’, he got bars to spit”

Something Light

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

The next track, Something Light, allows Alan to shine with a solo performance. The slow-paced, yet electrifying production enhances his rapid rhyme schemes and lyrical prowess. Here, Alan dives into themes of excess, drug abuse, and a lavish lifestyle, incorporating pop culture samples like Denzel Washington’s speech from The Equalizer 2.

“I perform like a scientist / With the scalpel and the forceps / Throw the foul in the fryin’ dish / Knock, knock, I’m at your doorstep / This is what you’ve been waitin’ on / Scoob and Scrap with the dance steps / Fragile lights, what you skatin’ on / Bubble hash, that was hand-pressed / Double back, get my s–t straight”- The Alchemist’s hook on ‘Something Light’.

Minnesota Fats (Feat. Action Bronson x Big Body Bes)

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

On the third track, Minnesota Fats, Alan collaborates with Action Bronson and Big Body Bes. The title pays tribute to the legendary pool player Rudolf Wanderone, also known as Minnesota Fats. Alan cleverly weaves references to pool in his verse.

“I’m grinning from ear to ear, had every whip I could ever care to steer (All of ’em) / Pull ’em three of a kind, I never shared a pair (He’s a villainous person) / I’m a grinch, I’ll ruin your dinner / Versatile, I play the two guard and the center / Minnesota Fats, strike the cue ball in the middle”

Scientology (Feat. Havoc)

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

Alan collaborates with Havoc on the fourth track, Scientology, marking a significant moment as it’s the first release from Mobb Deep since Prodigy’s passing in 2017. The duo previously worked together on Mobb Deep’s last studio album, The Infamous Mobb Deep, in 2014.

“H-A-V-O the chosen, stay golden / Let a n—a get all his roses, stay focused / One door closed, another one just opened / One M, two M, three Ms, every day a weekend / Goin’ off the deep end with ALC / Knowing we the best, come on, they all see / This one or that one? F–k it, take all three”- Havoc raps on ‘Scientology’.

Everybody’s Favorite Uncle

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

On Everybody’s Favorite Uncle, Alan delivers a spacious, atmospheric production that delves into themes of luxury, success, and wealth. His introspective verse depicts why he may be considered “Everybody’s Favorite Uncle,”with lines reflecting his unique journey.

“Every record I bleed and spill a blood vessel (Blood) / Playin’ with the cheat codes, I hit a plus-level / The only one who stood in the wreckage when the dust settled (I was right there) / You lay a hand on me and get infected from the rust metal / Dinner plates jumbo with the bags mixed, I’m makin’ gumbo / I’m everybody’s favorite uncle”

Diego Maradona (Feat. Conway The Machine)

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

Alan collaborates again, this time with Conway The Machine on Diego Maradona. The duo impresses with their masterful bar delivery, focusing on lyrical ability and rhymes that contribute to the track’s dynamic sound.

“That’s f–kin’ cap, Mr. Marcus (Ha) / Probably just got more resources (‘Kay) / Walk in that garage, three Porsches (‘Kay) / Michelin, three-star, three courses (Eatin’) / Drumwork, big dogs, we bosses (Uh) / Catch a body with the sket, we toss it (Uh-huh) / They realizin’ I’m a threat, be cautious”- Conway The Machine raps on ‘Diego Maradona’.

Details (Feat. Larry June)

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

The seventh track, Details, is a collaboration with Larry June, offering a slow-paced yet sample-rich production. The lyrics navigate themes of independence and artistry, showcasing Alan’s clever wordplay.

“This is what you’re gonna get from ’em, revenge / Put the names down on a paper, I got a list of ’em / Some expensive jacket is what I keep the stick under / Another whip, at this point, I’m collectin’ vent numbers / There’s no reason for this child behavior / He never chose to ride anybody else’s wave, he’s a style creator”

Season’s Change

(Production Credits: The Alchemist)

Closing the album, Season’s Change presents a more emotional and reflective tone, with Alan drawing from personal experiences. The lyrical content revolves around fatherhood, family dynamics, growth, and the cyclical nature of life.

“Whеn I was young, I spent the summer surfin’ (Uh) / Madе a bunch of bad decisions comin’ up, nothin’ is perfect, uh / If I could do it over, I wouldn’t change the script / Signature style with the famous drip / Hash sizzle inside a spliff like a bacon strip / The game is fixed, I’m Michelangelo with a paint-and-sip / The finer things in life are overrated”

Alan The Alchemist’s album, The Genuine Articulate, is a well-produced and fully mastered project. Each track introduces fresh elements through sample-heavy, ambient instrumentals that complement the boom-bap lyrical deliveries.

In addition to the album’s release, The Alchemist has also launched official music videos for various tracks, including Ferraris In The Rain (Feat. ScHoolboy Q) and Scientology (Feat. Havoc).

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