Music – 22 hours ago

Dimas Sanfiorenzo

Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. He specializes…

Larry June and The Alchemist, two indie hip-hop darlings, have come together and released their first album, The Great Escape. 

The 15 track album is jam-packed with appearances: Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Worthy, Joey Bada$$, Curren$y, and Big Sean all appear on the album. (Side note: this is the first time Sean has appeared on an Alchemist beat, and he sounds amazing.)

Prior to the release of the album, both Larry and The Alchemist dropped by the Okayplayer offices to speak about how they first connected — it was through Jay Worthy, who appears on the album — and why they have such great chemistry. In particular, Al talked about being inspired by DJ Premier and his relationship with Guru when making this album:

“Al: I think that’s where I probably take cues from growing up listening to Premier. Every time someone got on one of his beats it was their best performance. But I feel like that’s what we’re supposed to do, though. As a producer, you got to know how to play it in the back. It was like Muggs with Cypress Hill, Premier and Gang Starr, where that’s part of producing, too — knowing how to cater and make Larry the star. I’m going to get my stripes for the beat but Larry is the show.

Larry: What he do is crazy, though. A lot of producers don’t really got that. I definitely felt a little challenge because the beats were completely different from what I was doing. But it helped me get into a different bag and it made me more comfortable trying new things. It wasn’t too many drums, so I had no choice but to go crazy and create different structures than I did on my other projects.“

In celebration of the release of the album, June announced a massive tour that will be kicking off May 8th in Minneapolis.

Check out the dates below:

Stream The Great Escape album here.