The Alchemist has been living at a higher speed

The hip-hop producer opens up about his evolution ahead of Camp Flog Gnaw set.

- By Cerys Davies

THE ALCHEMIST, who has collaborated with artists including Erykah Badu and Freddie Gibbs, this year, stands in his Santa Monica recording studio.

(DANIA MAXWELL. For The Times)

The Alchemist’s world changed when he first discovered the Beastie Boys.

“Seeing them, these white Jewish guys who were rapping and on tour with Run-D.M.C., was crazy to me,” said the hip-hop producer, whose real name is Alan Maman. “It gave young guys like me a little bit of hope.”

As a kid growing up in Beverly Hills with an itch for L.A.’s subcultures, the Alchemist spent the ’80s and °90s break-dancing, doing graffiti, skateboarding and rapping. He says he would do basically anything that felt “rebellious and expressive.” Looking back at these formative interests, he says he had no idea that music was going to be the thing that stuck.

Today, the 48-year-old artist is considered one of rap’s most prolific tastemakers. Over the last three decades, he has built an arsenal of sample-heavy beats beloved by rappers across all walks of hip-hop, from anyone between Fat Joe and Earl Sweatshirt. This year alone, he has released (or will soon release) projects like “Abi & Alan” with Erykah Badu, “Life Is Beautiful” with Larry June and 2 Chainz, “Goldfish” with Hitboy, “Alfredo 2” with Freddie Gibbs, “Infinite” with Mobb Deep, “Mercy” with Armand Hammer and a pending album with Yasiin Bey.

On Saturday, he will make his return to Camp Flog Gnaw alongside 2 Chainzand Larry June.