Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist - Life is Beautiful (ALC Records, 2025) Deluxe OBI Edition
Estimated value
$75 - $150Rarity
Scarce(6/10)Category
Vinyl RecordsBrand
ALC Records / EMPIREEra
2025Origin
🇺🇸 United StatesArtist / Creator
Larry JuneAuthenticity
LARRY JUNE, 2 CHAINZ & THE ALCHEMIST - LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (ALC RECORDS, 2025) DELUXE OBI EDITION: PRESSING DETAILS
A striking deluxe vinyl pressing of the 2025 collaborative project 'Life is Beautiful'. This specific variant features an 'Ocean Blue & Clear Sky' vertical split-color vinyl housed in a high-gloss gatefold sleeve. The most distinguishing feature from a collector's standpoint is the inclusion of a Japanese-style OBI strip, a hallmark of The Alchemist's ALC Records boutique releases. The artwork depicts a painterly, impasto-textured aerial view of a boat cutting through deep blue water, which translates beautifully to the physical medium.
SOUNDS ACROSS CULTURES
Where This Object Echoes
The use of the OBI strip (Tasuki) originates from Japanese record exports to help local customers read foreign artist names.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Drop culture: The practice of releasing limited physical media at a specific time online, leading to immediate 'sell-outs' and collector frenzy.
Meaning Through Time
The OBI was a practical tool for translation and marketing in Asian markets.
The OBI is a 'flex' or status symbol in Western hip-hop collecting, signifying a limited boutique pressing.
PRESSING HISTORY
GROOVE NOTES
The Alchemist often uses OBI strips—originally designed for Japanese imports to provide translations—purely as a luxury design element for his limited Western releases.
This specific 'Ocean Blue & Clear Sky' split was likely limited to a few hundred copies, as is standard for ALC Records deluxe color variants.
GROOVE & PRESSING
Surface
A perfectly bisected 'split' vinyl; the teal 'Ocean Blue' and translucent 'Clear Sky' sections meet at a sharp vertical seam. The surfaces appear highly polished with 'cold' grooves, suggesting a high-quality contemporary pressing plant.
Weight & Feel
Likely a 180g 'audiophile' weight disc, feeling substantial and rigid in the hand to minimize warping.
Condition
Visually Mint (M). Lead-in grooves and spindle hole show zero signs of wear or 'spidering,' suggesting the record has likely never been played or handled beyond this photography.
HOW SCARCE IS IT?
Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.
Typical Characteristics
- Dozens per year at market
- Documented provenance valued
- Active collector pursuit
AUDIOPHILE'S ASSESSMENT
Record Collector & Pressing Specialist
High confidence due to clear, high-resolution photos of both the outer packaging and the central disc labels, which contain all necessary metadata (credits, date, label).
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Presence of the Blue OBI strip indicates a 'Deluxe' or 'Special' edition variant.
- 2Central label lists '2025 The Freeminded Records / 2 Chainz / ALC / EMPIRE', confirming the collaborative nature.
- 3Mastering credited to Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound, a high-end industry standard for modern hip-hop vinyl.
- 4Unique 'Ocean Blue/Clear Sky' split colorway is a specific catalog variant.
- 5Stereo notation and 33 1/3 RPM speed are standard for a full-length LP of this era.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Examine the dead wax (run-out groove) for handwritten etchings or stamped matrix numbers to determine the specific pressing plant.
- →Check for any included inserts, such as a lyric sheet or stickers, which are common in ALC deluxe editions.
RECORD MARKET VALUE
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Who buys this
Hip-hop vinyl enthusiasts and 'Alchemist' completionists who prioritize boutique packaging and limited variants.
What increases value
- •The Deluxe OBI variant is significantly more desirable than standard black or single-color versions
- •Pristine condition of the OBI strip is critical for top-end value
What lowers value
- •Any creases or tears in the OBI strip will drop value by 30-40%
- •Warping due to improper storage, though not visible here, would be a major risk for split-color vinyl
What makes top-tier examples
- •Still-in-shrinkwrap (unopened) specimens
- •Lowest numbers if the edition is hand-numbered (check the back cover)
Grade & condition
Sleeve corner sharpness, OBI integrity, lack of spindle marks on labels.
Rarity & demand
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
CONTEXT ANALYSIS
How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.
What Aligned
- User stated 'Larry June' - visual evidence on labels and OBI confirms the artist.
- User stated 'Time Period: 2025' - copyright date 2025 is clearly visible on the center label.
- User stated 'Condition: Mint' - the pristine surface and sharp corners of the OBI support a top-tier grade.
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