For more than two decades, Daniel Alan Maman has been hard at work. Known as The Alchemist, the producer can boast an impressive resume. He teamed up with Freddie Gibbs to deliver Alfredo to the world, nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards. Other noteworthy projects include work with Boldly James (The Price of Tea in China and Bo Jackson), Armand Hammer (Haram), Action Bronson (Rare Chandeliers), and others.
Now, The Alchemist has even more in store as 2021 draws to a close. First, the EP. Announcing it yesterday on Instagram, fans can look forward to This Thing of Ours Vol. 2 dropping in just over a week. The Alchemist has set the drop date as October 8th.
The Alchemist’s alchemy
The Alchemist confirmed the second EP during an interview with The Needle Drop‘s Anthony Fantano last week. In the interview, he also revealed that he is working on the soundtrack to a new film called Cycles, directed by Jason Goldwatch. The Alchemist also confirmed that he appears on Earl Sweatshirt’s new album, calling it “insane.”
This second volume comes just six months after the first release and comes packed with star power. The first volume featured the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, Boldly James, and Sideshow, and this next EP continues the trend. Among Vol. 2 collaborators are Vince Staples, MAVI, MIKE, and Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade collective. Brigade members include Zeeloperz, Bruiser Wolf, Fat Ray and J.U.S.
In addition to this, The Alchemist has also been crafting a mystery project with Curren$y entitled Half Moon Bay. Few details about the project have come out, but this is not the first meeting of the minds. Back in 2011, the pair worked together on Covert Coup and 2016’s The Carrollton Heist. Word is that Half Moon Bay will drop on December 10th.
And why wouldn’t the man take some more work? Amidst all the projects, The Alchemist is cooperating with Benny the Butcher on the highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4.
Honestly if u kno anything about my music you can watch this 32 sec video and be able to tell that TT4 is gon be PRESSURE pic.twitter.com/095uSDVHov
Is it any wonder then that The Alchemist is up for Producer of the Year? The award, presented at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, has some serious competition. The Alchemist finds himself running with Tyler, the Creator, DJ Khaled, Mustard, Metro Boomin’, and Hit-Boy. Tune in on October 1st to see who will take the award home and be known as Producer of the Year.
