1st Infantry [PA]

Personnel includes: Alchemist, Lloyd Banks, Cypress Hill, Havoc & Prodigy, Dilated Peoples, Jadakiss, Sheek & J-Hood, Devin The Dude, Nappy Roots, Stat Quo, Game. Personnel: The Alchemist (rap vocals); Chinky, Devin, Dilated Peoples, Havoc, J-Hood, Jadakiss, Lloyd Banks, M.O.P., Mobb Deep, Nas, Prodigy , Sheek, T.I., The Game , The LOX, Twin, Stat Quo (rap vocals). Audio Mixers: Richard "Segal" Herredia; Kevin Crouse; Steve Sola; Rob Hill. Recording information: Baseclef Studios, Queens, NY; D Block Studiios, Yonkers, NY; Infamous Studios, Queens, NY; MGS Soundlab, Los Angeles, CA; Sound Proof Studios, Venice, CA; The Lab Studios, New York, NY. Photographers: Gerard Rechnitzer; FUBZ; Ola Kudu. Although 2004's 1ST INFANTRY was his first solo album, even the most casual follower of hardcore rap is familiar with the Alchemist. He supplies some of the strongest, hardest beats for everyone from Nas to Cypress Hill, and has years of experience on the underground hip-hop scene. There's a reason that the best in the rap game seek the Alchemist out--few can match him when it comes to providing immediately captivating, instantly identifiable tracks. On 1st INFANTRY, the Alchemist's MC friends turn the favor around on an all-star gathering, which features a collection of previously unreleased cuts. Mobb Deep provided some of the Alchemist's best moments (and vice versa) as both were rising to glory, and here the duo of Havoc & Prodigy contribute to another classic with the menacing beauty of "It's a Craze." Prodigy teams with rap's premier lyricist, Nas, on another standout track, "Tick Tock." The Alchemist was doing amazing work with the West Coast crew Dilated Peoples long before they broke out, so it's no surprise they provide a powerful moment on the quirky, funky "For the Record." A bold debut, 1st INFANTRY stands as a piece of hip-hop art by one of its best craftsmen.