Hip-Hop Is Alive and Well: The Alchemist Pops Up at Tetra Lounge in Denver
This week, hypebeasts across the country went wild over a viral stat: for the first time in nearly 35 years, not a single rap record appeared on the Billboard Hot 100. But those who actually care about the culture know that numbers like that don’t tell the whole story. Case in point: The Alchemist’s surprise pop-up at Denver’s Tetra Lounge.
With less than 24 hours’ notice, hundreds of fans lined up around the block on Walnut Street—many clutching stacks of vinyl, hoping to get them signed. Others showed up with cash in hand, eager to score a rare gem from one of hip-hop’s most respected producers.
Hip-hop isn’t dying; it’s thriving—just not where the industry usually looks. It’s alive in the grooves of vinyl records and in the hands of independent artists like Alchemist. Operating completely outside the mainstream machine, he arrived at Tetra with boxes of merch, sorted through a sea of gift bags, sparked up a few samples of Denver’s finest offerings, and then jumped behind the counter. For hours, he sold records hand-to-hand, connecting directly with fans in the purest way possible.
There are no streaming metrics or Billboard stats that can capture moments like this. The independent hustle behind ALC Records is a living testament to hip-hop’s entrepreneurial spirit—and to a legacy that refuses to be quantified.
Tetra Lounge also deserves major credit for making the night possible. Owner Dewayne Benjamin has fought tooth and nail to make Tetra the first officially licensed cannabis consumption lounge in Denver—and one of the first in the world. While vinyl pop-ups at record stores are becoming more common, Tetra offers something different. Instead of waiting in line bored, lucky fans who made it inside were able to roll up, chill, and soak in the vibes until it was their turn to meet Al.
Even Earl Sweatshirt made a surprise appearance. Despite trying to keep a low profile, fans quickly recognized him—and, true to form, he greeted them with a smile.
Anyone who was there knows what a special night it was—a celebration of hip-hop, cannabis, and vinyl culture coming together organically. Another W in what’s already been an unbelievable 2025 run for The Alchemist, and a huge win for Tetra Lounge and the city of Denver. Photos by Armando Geneyro and Matt Tarro.
