Alchemist

One of the most impressive beatmakers in the game, the Alchemist got his start in the early '90s as one-half of the Cypress Hill-affiliated duo the Whooliganz. Al was mentored by DJ Muggs, who taught him the fundamentals of producing hot tracks. Since then he's laid extra-raw beats and cinematic soundscapes for a wide range of crews, including Mobb Deep, Dilated Peoples, CNN, Buc Fifty, and many more. A thug-rap specialist, he released his own instrumental album Gangster Theme Music at the end of 2000. After a few more self-released projects (Insomnia, The Cutting Room Floor), he released his proper debut album 1st Infantry in late 2004.