| Chemical Warfare | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Alchemist |
| Cover: | Chemical Warfare2.jpg |
| Recorded: | 2006–2009 |
| Genre: | Hip hop |
| Producer: | Alchemist |
| Prev Title: | 1st Infantry |
| Prev Year: | 2004 |
| Next Title: | Russian Roulette |
| Next Year: | 2012 |
Chemical Warfare is the second solo studio album by American hip hop producer and recording artist the Alchemist. It was released on July 7, 2009 via ALC Records and E1 Music. Produced entirely by the Alchemist himself, it features guest appearances from Blu, Eminem, Evidence, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Juvenile, Kid Cudi, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Kxng Crooked, Lil' Fame, Maxwell, Oh No, Prodigy, Pusha T, Roc C, Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Tha Dogg Pound, The Lady of Rage, Three 6 Mafia and Twista.
The album debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 4 on the Top Rap Albums, number 6 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States. Its lead single "Smile" was released on May 5, 2009 with an accompanying music video was directed by Jason Goldwatch.[1] Songs "Lose Your Life" and "Therapy" previously appeared on The Alchemist's Cookbook EP.
The back cover of the Alchemist's promotional single "Keys to the City", released in 2007, mentioned a new album, expected to be in-stores in early 2008. On his 2008 mixtape The Cutting Room Floor 2, the Alchemist revealed that the album titled Chemical Warfare is scheduled to be released in Summer 2008. In the closing credits of the animated music video for the song "Lose Your Life" it was stated that the album would be released in February 2009.[2] In May 2009, the full track listing was revealed with the release set for July 7, 2009.[3]
Chemical Warfare was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 83 based on four reviews.
Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews praised the work, saying "it may be that the only constant on Chemical Warfare IS Alchemist's beats, but that's enough to make it work--and like the futuristic battle it implies the album is filled with hits you'll never see coming". AllMusic's Jeffries found the album "keeps this capo's reputation in tact. Recommended for aspiring dons and more open-minded thugs". David Drake of Pitchfork stated: "Chemical Warfare is a rap version of Speilberg's Minority Report; it draws upon a gritty underground past while embracing more modern craftsmanship, where new smooth edges are balanced by the felt-authenticity of its caliginous vision".