Following the release of their acclaimed Alfredo album, and took some time to connect with Ebro Darden for an interview on Apple Music’s Beats 1. Off the top, Ebro takes a moment to congratulate Alchemist for the role he’s been playing in helping the “purist” resurgence, laying down albums with Conway, Freddie Gibbs, and .

“I need a new phone,” laughs Al. “I mean, I feel blessed. You know how long we’ve been doing this, and I’ve been pretty stubborn for a bunch of years. I guess the stubbornness is starting to pay off a little bit. I’m just sticking to my guns and trying to make good contributions, make some quality rap. And I have access to some of the best rappers, in my opinion.”

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“Alchemist is one of my favorite producers,” chimes in Freddie. “Definitely the producer of the year this year, dawg. He killing it. Everything he do is classic.” He reveals he’s been thinking about Alfredo for ten years, though only now has gotten around to doing it. “I think this album is speaking to the times we in, as well as giving a different look at rap.” 

“If something can loop for one bar and not get too boring, that’s magic to me,” continues Alchemist, speaking on his process. “Sometimes it’s not about the intricacies, but it’s about the mood. Especially with a rapper like Freddie — you’re listening to every word he’s saying, the pockets he’s rhyming in. In some songs I felt Freddie was the drum. On “Look At Me,” Freddie was the drum. I didn’t even need to put a drum on there, he gave me the rhythm of the song.”

Check out the full interview, courtesy of Apple Music’s Beats 1, below. Are you still bumping Alchemist and Freddie Gibbs’ Alfredo?