DJ Alkemy gives us the full story behind his latest album Delusions of Grandeur 2, working with Empulse and Shark, and why vocal tone matters more than you think. We explore his love-hate relationship with posse cuts, the pain of waiting for verses, and the beauty of chemistry between artists. He opens up about self-doubt, ditching entire albums, binning tracks that don’t feel right, and what finally gets him back in the zone. We talk production workflows, the evolution from sampling vinyl to creating with stems, and how Alkemy approaches collaboration, mixing, and finding the right artist for the right beat. He’s not a purist—he’s a realist—and that balance is what keeps his sound fresh. He also reflects on life off the beer, embracing sobriety, rediscovering joy in gigs, and the soul of physical music culture. We talk Block Party, Toto, Rick Beato, obscure 80s synths, and how staying eclectic is essential for staying inspired. This isn’t just a beatmaker’s breakdown—it’s a masterclass in navigating creativity over decades. Whether you're a die-hard producer, crate digger, DJ, or someone who’s ever questioned your art—this one’s for you.

Key Moments:

00:01:05 – Why does DJ Alkemy get stressed waiting on rappers?

00:01:24 – What’s the story behind Delusions of Grandeur 2?

00:02:49 – Why is vocal tone critical in posse cuts?

00:05:19 – What’s it like organizing a track with global artists (including one phoning from prison)?

00:06:00 – How did Greg Blackman’s vocals elevate the new single?

00:08:38 – Is Alkemy still DJing, or is production now the focus?

00:12:02 – What’s happening with Applied Science's long-awaited third album?

00:22:23 – Has the fast-paced release culture hurt music appreciation?

00:26:04 – Why does promoting your own old tracks still matter?

00:30:06 – How has Alkemy’s production style evolved (sampling → stems)?

00:33:50 – How does music theory play into his beatmaking process?

00:37:11 – What 80s influences and film scores shaped his musical ear?

00:45:11 – Why does making music sometimes make it hard to enjoy music?

00:51:29 – How does he communicate with his mix engineers to nail the sound?