| Flying High | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | June 30, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | May–June 2023 | |||
| Length | 26:52 | |||
| Label | ALC Records | |||
| Producer | The Alchemist | |||
| The Alchemist chronology | ||||
| ||||
Flying High is an extended play by musician the Alchemist. It was released on June 30, 2023, through ALC, and features guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, Billy Woods, Boldy James, T.F., Mike, Sideshow, Larry June and Jay Worthy.
Following his prolific release history in 2022, having produced four studio projects that year, including his own The Alchemist Sandwich, Maman shared the news of the upcoming record on his social media on June 26, 2023. [1] Fellow artist Earl Sweatshirt promptly shared the announcement on his socials, revealing his prominent input. [2] Maman went on to tag more artists with guest appearances on the EP, including frequent collaborators Mike, Boldy James and Larry June, [3] the latter of which released a collaboration project with Maman only three months prior. [4] While it was speculated that the EP would be a joint album of the Alchemist of and Sweatshirt, neither artist confirmed it. [5]
The cover depicts a 1950s United Airlines advertisement poster of Maman's home Southern California. [6]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 79/100 [7] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 7/10 [8] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10 [9] |
| HipHopDX | 3.9/5 [10] |
| Pitchfork | 7.0/10 [11] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic , Flying High received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 from 6 critic scores. [7]
Clash 's Robin Murray described it as a "stunning four-track feast, the only downside is that we don't hear more from such a formidable cast" and felt that "the brevity doesn't downplay the creativity". [8] Dylan Green of Pitchfork called it "breezy" and found that it contains "a space for rhymers in Alchemist's orbit to unspool for the fun of it". Green also wrote that "none of these songs sound like demos or leftovers, but Flying High doesn't reach for the stars, either." [11] Wesley McLean of Exclaim! described the album as "a delicious hors d'oeuvre served up while you're waiting for whatever three-course meal that Alchemist has coming next," while also dubbing it "a reminder that Alchemist's circle doubles as a roster of some of the best rappers around." [9] HipHopDX's Anthony Malone described the EP as "an enjoyable listen," but adds that "there’s a shrouding feeling that the legendary producer has gotten comfortable creatively." [10]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "RIP Tracy" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Billy Woods) | 3:38 |
| 2. | "Trouble Man" (featuring TF and Boldy James) | 3:10 |
| 3. | "Bless" (featuring Mike and Sideshow) | 2:59 |
| 4. | "Midnight Oil" (featuring Larry June and Jay Worthy) | 3:39 |
| 5. | "RIP Tracy" (instrumental) | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Trouble Man" (instrumental) | 3:10 |
| 7. | "Bless" (instrumental) | 2:59 |
| 8. | "Midnight Oil" (instrumental) | 3:39 |
| Total length: | 26:52 | |
Alan Daniel Maman, professionally known as the Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and rapper. He began his music career in 1991 in the hip hop duo the Whooliganz under the moniker Mudfoot, along with now-actor Scott Caan. He has produced music since the 1990s.
Sam Baker, better known by his stage name Samiyam, is an American hip hop producer based in Los Angeles, California.
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Dominique Marquis Cole, known professionally as Domo Genesis, is an American rapper, DJ, and songwriter. He is best known for being a member of Los Angeles hip hop collective Odd Future. He has since continued his solo career, releasing his debut album Genesis in 2016 and founding his own record label in 2018.
Russian Roulette is the third solo studio album by American hip hop producer and recording artist The Alchemist. It was released on July 17, 2012, through Decon. Produced entirely by the Alchemist, it features guest appearances from Action Bronson, AG Da Coroner, Big Twins, Boldy James, Chuuwee, Danny Brown, Durag Dynasty, Evidence, Fashawn, Guilty Simpson, MidaZ, Meyhem Lauren, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Roc Marciano, Schoolboy Q and Willie the Kid.
Doris is the debut studio album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released on August 20, 2013, through Odd Future Records and Tan Cressida Records, and distributed by Columbia Records. Doris follows his first mixtape, Earl, which was released in 2010 when he was sixteen. After returning from a forced stay in a Samoan boarding school, he began working on his debut album and signed a deal with Columbia, rather than Odd Future's Odd Future Records.
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Albert Einstein is the second and last collaborative studio album by American hip hop recording artist Prodigy of Mobb Deep and American record producer The Alchemist. The album was released on June 11, 2013, by Infamous Records. The album features guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Domo Genesis, The Alchemist, Havoc, Raekwon and Action Bronson.
360 Waves is the only studio album by American hip hop trio Durag Dynasty. It was released on March 26, 2013, via Nature Sounds. Production was handled entirely by The Alchemist, who also provided mixing duties. It features guest appearances from the Alchemist, Big Twins, Chace Infinite, Evidence, Imam Thug, Phil da Agony and Prodigy.
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(M.1.C.S.) My 1st Chemistry Set is the debut studio album by Detroit rapper Boldy James and producer The Alchemist, released on October 15, 2013 through Decon. It was preceded by Boldy James' EP, Grand Quarters (2013). M.1.C.S. was entirely produced by The Alchemist and features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Freeway, King Chip and Vince Staples among others. On September 12, 2013, the lead single from the album, "Moochie," was leaked onto the Internet. The following single, "Reform School," was leaked on October 7, 2013. M.1.C.S. was generally well received by music critics. Complex named it amongst the best albums of October 2013.
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This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2020.
The Price of Tea in China is the second studio album by American rapper Boldy James and American DJ and producer The Alchemist. It was released on February 7, 2020 under ALC Records.
This Thing of Ours is an extended play by musician the Alchemist. It was released on April 30, 2021, by ALC Records.
The Great Escape is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Larry June and hip hop record producer The Alchemist. It was released on March 31, 2023, through ALC Records and Empire Distribution. Production was handled entirely by the Alchemist, with Beat Butcha serving as an additional producer on one track. It features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Big Sean, Boldy James, Curren$y, Evidence, Jay Worthy, Joey Bada$$, Slum Village, Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa. The album peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number 9 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and number 4 on the Independent Albums chart in the United States.
Voir Dire is a collaborative album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt and record producer the Alchemist. It was released via Gala Music on August 25, 2023; a further release on streaming platforms followed on October 6.
Continuance is the first full-length collaborative studio album by American rapper Currensy and fellow American record producer The Alchemist. It was released on February 18, 2022, through Jet Life Recordings, ALC Records and Empire Distribution. Production was handled entirely by the Alchemist. It features guest appearances from Babyface Ray, Boldy James, Havoc, Larry June, Styles P and Wiz Khalifa. The album peaked at number 200 on the Billboard 200 and number 28 on the Independent Albums in the United States.
The Elephant Man's Bones is the first full-length collaborative studio album by American rappers and record producers Roc Marciano and The Alchemist. It was released on August 26, 2022, through Pimpire/ALC Records. Produced entirely by the Alchemist, it features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Boldy James, Ice-T and Knowledge the Pirate. The album was supported by its lead single "Deja Vu" with accompanying music video. A music video was also directed for the song "The Horns of Abraxas".