Fans of hip-hop production were given a rare behind-the-scenes confession this week when legendary producer The Alchemist revealed he was nearly featured on Lil Wayne’s long-awaited Tha Carter VI — but ultimately missed the opportunity by overthinking it.
Speaking with HipHopDX on the red carpet at the 2025 BET Awards, The Alchemist opened up about being in close contact with Wayne’s inner circle, especially Young Money president Mack Maine. According to him, he had been asked to contribute beats to Tha Carter VI, but he never followed through in time.
“Mack Maine is a good friend of mine and we talk regularly,” he said. “And I probably missed the boat ’cause they told me to send something for this record and I was just overthinking it.”
The Alchemist, known for his gritty, sample-heavy sound and meticulous beat-making, didn’t hold back on his self-criticism. He acknowledged that his own perfectionism may have cost him the opportunity to add his name to one of the most iconic rap series in history.
“That’s something I would love to do,” he added, when asked if he still hopes to work with Wayne. “Wayne is like up in the quasars as far as MCs, so you never know. I was probably thinking too hard. Listen, we all do that. I overthought it but next time I won’t.”
For longtime fans, a collaboration between The Alchemist and Lil Wayne is not new, but it’s always welcome. Their history dates all the way back to 1999 when a young Wayne teamed up with Queens rapper Cormega on “Who Can I Trust,” featured on Violator: The Album. It was one of the early examples of Wayne bridging his New Orleans roots with East Coast heavyweights.
Their most well-known team-up came in 2008 on Tha Carter III — arguably Wayne’s most iconic album — where The Alchemist produced the hard-hitting track “You Ain’t Got Nuthin,” featuring Fabolous and Juelz Santana. More recently, in 2024, Wayne spit over an Alchemist beat once again when he featured on Benny the Butcher’s single “Big Dog” off Everybody Can’t Go.
The two have clearly maintained mutual respect over the years, and The Alchemist’s comments only reinforce how meaningful another collaboration could be. His honesty also provides a refreshing reminder that even the most revered producers can occasionally let opportunities slip through their fingers — not from a lack of talent or effort, but from the human tendency to second-guess themselves.
Still, all hope is not lost. With Tha Carter VI still in rollout mode and Wayne known for continuously creating new music, there may be room yet for Uncle Al to make a late appearance — or at least secure a spot on a future project.
For now, fans are left wondering what could have been — and looking forward to what might still be.