The Alchemist has recalled a valuable lesson he learned from DJ Premier, who scolded him after a studio mishap.
The Alfredo producer stopped by Sway’s Universe and shared a story of an encounter with the Gang Starr legend. Alc was asked whether he gets nervous about working with big artists, and he shared some advice Premier imparted on him.
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“When I was young, I did a session at D&D with Big Daddy Kane…,” he begins at about the 12:50 mark. “I remember I did the session and I was so afraid…It was Big Daddy Kane. I was a church mouse in the studio. The next day, I saw DJ Premier and he said: ‘How did that thing go with Big Daddy Kane?’ I said: ‘It was good, but I felt like he coulda done something different.’
“He said: ‘Did you say something?’ I said” ‘Naw.’ He got mad at me. He scolded me. He was like: ‘Yo, Al you gotta stop that bullshit. If they in the studio with you, you gotta be able to speak up. We went back and fixed it and it turned out great. I learned a good lesson.”
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DJ Premier re-posted the clip on his Instagram and offered some thoughts on the interaction.
He said: “I have always been this way because I’m in Fan Mode when I produce an artist so I want you to give me that same energy that made me a Fan… Thanks @imnawfside for sending me this. Repost from @realsway. @alanthechemist talks working thru nerves & shares advice he got from @djpremier Salute @officialbigdaddykane @thehappyhourwhb @itstracyg [camera emoji] @drewyeeez.”
The Alchemist had a relationship with DJ Premier long before he was a go-to rap producer.
Back in 2022, the VOIR DIRE beatmaker revealed one of his earliest interactions with Premier was when he sold the legendary producer weed in New York.
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During a conversation with Closed Sessions, Al recalled a surreal moment he had when he smoked a blunt with Premier, adding that when Tony Touch reconnected the two producers a few years later, Premier remembered exactly who Alchemist was partially because of the strength of his kush.
Co-host Alexander Fruchter said he had heard a rumor that Premier’s friends would demand he call up Al specifically for his bud.
“Yeah, yeah, it was a bad reputation,” Al admitted. “I didn’t wanna be known for that. I was from L.A. We smoked pretty well always…Back then when you were from L.A. it was kinda special and I was posted up in New York, allegedly.”
Alchemist went on to say Premier showed him nothing but love, and even hyped him up to a young JAY-Z.
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“At that time being around him I felt anointed,” Alchemist said. “I remember he was working with JAY-Z and I would be there and he’d be like, ‘Yeah this is Al he got beats, yeah he’s dope you gotta check him out.’ I didn’t even have fire yet, but I always felt like that was the height of confidence…that meant a lot to me.”
