The Skeleton Key (album)

The Skeleton Key is the second collaborative studio album by American rappers and record producers Roc Marciano and the Alchemist, initially released on December 9, 2024. The album is produced entirely by the Alchemist, and features no guest appearances.

The Skeleton Key
Studio album by Roc Marciano and the Alchemist
Released	December 9, 2024 (2024-12-09)
Genre	East Coast hip-hop[1] gangsta rap[1] drumless[1]
Length	26:25
Label	Pimpire ALC
Producer	The Alchemist
Roc Marciano and the Alchemist chronology
The Elephant Man's Bones (2022) The Skeleton Key (2024)
Roc Marciano chronology
Marciology (2024) The Skeleton Key (2024)
The Alchemist chronology
The Genuine Articulate (2024) The Skeleton Key (2024)
Singles from The Skeleton Key
"Chopstick" Released: December 9, 2024

Background and release

A listening party for The Skeleton Key, held in Miami on December 7, 2024, was announced on December 4, 2024, via Instagram.^[2]

The album was released on December 9, 2024 as a $40 exclusive digital download on Marciano's website, with two exclusive bonus tracks, "Hard Drugz" and "Bleu Mouson". The lead single, "Chopstick", and its accompanying music video were released on the same day. The album released on streaming platforms on December 13, 2024.^[3][4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork	8.0/10[5]
RapReviews	7.5/10[1]

Dash Lewis of Pitchfork described The Skeleton Key as "a weirder, bleaker, more hermetically sealed take on prestige street rap" compared to its predecessor The Elephant Man's Bones (2022). Sy Shackleford of RapReviews gave the album a 7.5 out of 10, stating that the album "holds its own, even with its sudden announcement and release", but thought that the album's short length "leaves more to be desired".

BrooklynVegan ranked the album number 11 on their "30 Best Rap Albums of 2024" year-end list (alongside Marciano's previous album Marciology).^[6]

Track listing

The Skeleton Key track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Mystery God"	2:47
2.	"Street Magic"	3:42
3.	"Chopstick"	2:41
4.	"Knock It Off"	2:38
5.	"Acid"	1:47
6.	"Rauf"	2:17
7.	"Chateau Josué"	2:37
8.	"Skirt Steak"	2:15
9.	"Cryotherapy"	3:02
10.	"Make Sure"	2:39
Total length:		26:25

All tracks are written by Rahkeim Meyer.

Digital download bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
11.	"Hard Drugz"	1:54
12.	"Bleu Mouson"	1:59
Total length:		30:18

Personnel

• Roc Marciano – vocals
• The Alchemist – production
• Joe LaPorta – mastering
• Eddie Sancho – mixing
• Chateau Josué – artwork

References

1. Shackleford, Sy (December 17, 2024). "Roc Marciano x The Alchemist : The Skeleton Key". RapReviews. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
2. Nevares, Gabriel Bras (December 5, 2024). "The Alchemist & Roc Marciano Announce a New Collab Album Right Around the Corner". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
3. Breihan, Tom (December 9, 2024). "Roc Marciano & The Alchemist – 'Chopstick'". Stereogum. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
4. Diaz, Angel (December 9, 2024). "Roc Marciano & The Alchemist Drop 'Chopstick,' Announce New Album 'The Skeleton Key'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
5. Lewis, Dash (December 23, 2024). "Roc Marciano / The Alchemist: The Skeleton Key Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
6. Sacher, Andrew (December 20, 2024). "30 Best Rap Albums of 2024". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.