His mother was an English literature professor from Jamaica. His father was a Ph.D. Marxist writer, active in the Zimbabwe War of Liberation and then a member of the government in Zimbabwe. In 1980, the family moved to Zimbabwe. After the death of Woods' father, they returned to the United States in 1989. Woods briefly attended Howard University before getting involved in New York City's hip-hop scene. He started making music in the late 1990s. He wrote his "first real rhyme" at a laundromat in Kennebunk, Maine in 1997.
Billy Woods released his debut solo album, Camouflage, on his record label Backwoodz Studioz in 2003. In 2012, he released History Will Absolve Me. In 2013, he released Dour Candy, which was entirely produced by Blockhead. In 2017, he released Known Unknowns. It was included on Rolling Stone's "15 Great Albums You Probably Didn't Hear in 2017" list. In 2019, he released a collaborative album with producer Kenny Segal, titled Hiding Places, and a solo album, Terror Management. 2020 brought Brass, a collaborative album with Moor Mother. Woods released Aethiopes and Church in 2022. On May 5th 2023 Woods released Maps , second collaborative album with producer Kenny Segal.
Amazing Grace
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See girls like Chekhov
Woods lone and kalashnikov
Banana clip, lingering cough
007 huffing dust off
Bodega drink a molotov, killed the bottle
Mazel tov
Liquor before liquor, never been sicker
The kid stays in the picture
World spinnin', double visions, two paths
Both lead to prisons
Catch-twenty-two missions
They gave me the decision, the
Sword or the cross, How Christian
The ghosts of Ottomans have risen
Shadowboxing mujahideen apparitions
Once more into the breach
You know this speech
/Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori/
It's an old story, gold, God, and glory
Huck Finn and Nigga Jim
Emancipated by a cotton gin
Roam like Cain, mark on my skin
Untouchable born in sin
Kin slay kin, some get born again
From a five to ten
Return to tenements filled to the brim
With invisible men struggling to see
Across the seven seas god deaf to our pleas
Pharaoh use you as he please
Work'll set you free, the chains tight
Thirty g's four hundred years
Plantation or penitentiary
Still America's most wanted, all eyes on me
In "Amazing Grace," Billy Woods explores themes of personal transformation, societal constraints, and the enduring legacy of oppression. The first verse opens with the reference to the line from the Christian hymn "Amazing Grace" that speaks of once being blind but now seeing. However, Woods recontextualizes this line to highlight his own transformation through his rhyming abilities. He juxtaposes this newfound insight with references to Chekhov, the Russian playwright, showcasing his astute observations and artistic depth.
Throughout the song, Woods touches on various societal issues, such as violence and substance abuse. He references the Kalashnikov, a type of rifle associated with conflict and warfare, to symbolize the violence he witnesses or experiences in his environment. The mention of a lingering cough and dust off inhalant alludes to substance abuse and its detrimental effects.
Woods delves into his own identity and its implications within a larger framework of societal archetypes. He refers to himself as a coyote trickster, a figure typically associated with cunning and deceit. This depiction may reflect his navigation through life and the strategies he employs to survive within oppressive systems.
The second verse dives deeper into the theme of oppression and its historical roots. Woods refers to characters like Huck Finn and Nigga Jim, alluding to Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Through these references, he highlights the resilience of the marginalized, who manage to break free from bondage but still face societal stigmatization and struggle.
Woods weaves in references to biblical stories, such as Cain's mark and the concept of original sin, to emphasize the perpetuation of intergenerational trauma and the cyclical nature of violence. He underscores the notion that in a society marked by systemized oppression, kin can turn against each other, leading to further suffering.
In the final lines, Woods touches on the enduring legacy of oppression in America. He juxtaposes the promise of freedom through work, as symbolized by the phrase "work'll set you free," with the bleak reality of the prison industrial complex and the ongoing criminalization of Black individuals. He presents himself as a target, with all eyes on him, emphasizing the continued surveillance and scrutiny faced by marginalized communities.
Overall, "Amazing Grace" delves into the complexities of personal growth, societal constraints, and the perpetual struggle against systemic oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Once was blind but now I rhymin'
I used to be ignorant, but now I am expressing myself through music.
See girls like Chekhov
I understand women's complexities like Chekhov, the Russian playwright.
Woods lone and kalashnikov
In my solitude, I possess the power and strength of a Kalashnikov rifle.
Banana clip, lingering cough
I carry a large ammunition magazine while dealing with the consequences of my actions.
007 huffing dust off
Like the fictional character James Bond, I inhale drugs to escape reality.
Bodega drink a molotov, killed the bottle
I consume Molotov cocktails from the corner store, destroying the bottle once finished.
Mazel tov
A sarcastic expression of congratulations, often used to mock others.
Liquor before liquor, never been sicker
Drinking more alcohol only leads to more sickness and negative consequences.
Coyote trickster, archetypal nigga
I am a manipulative and cunning figure, embodying the archetype of a black person in society.
The kid stays in the picture
I, as a young and talented individual, continue to be relevant and influential.
World spinnin', double visions, two paths
The world is chaotic, with conflicting choices and perspectives.
Both lead to prisons
Both choices ultimately result in confinement and restriction of freedom.
Catch-twenty-two missions
I find myself in situations with contradictory or impossible conditions.
They gave me the decision, the Sword or the cross, How Christian
I was presented with a choice between violence and religion, questioning the supposed Christian values.
The ghosts of Ottomans have risen
The spirits of the Ottoman Empire's past have reappeared, symbolizing historical unrest.
Shadowboxing mujahideen apparitions
I am mentally fighting against visions of mujahideen fighters, engaging in imaginary combat.
Once more into the breach
I am once again facing danger and adversity.
You know this speech
You are familiar with the words I am about to speak.
/Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori/
It is sweet and honorable to die for one's country.
It's an old story, gold, God, and glory
The quest for power, wealth, divine connection, and fame is a recurring theme throughout history.
Huck Finn and Nigga Jim
Referencing Mark Twain's novel 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' and its character Jim, representing the struggle for freedom.
Emancipated by a cotton gin
The invention of the cotton gin led to the liberation of enslaved individuals.
Roam like Cain, mark on my skin
I wander like Cain from the biblical tale, carrying a visible mark of sin or guilt.
Untouchable born in sin
From birth, I am regarded as an outcast due to inherent flaws or wrongdoing.
Kin slay kin, some get born again
Family members harm and kill each other, while some find religious redemption and start afresh.
From a five to ten
Transitioning from a low-ranking position to one of higher authority or influence.
Return to tenements filled to the brim
Coming back to overcrowded housing units, indicative of societal inequality.
With invisible men struggling to see
Surrounded by marginalized individuals who are overlooked and oppressed, despite their desire for visibility.
Across the seven seas god deaf to our pleas
Even when facing great distances, divine intervention seems absent, as our prayers go unanswered.
Pharaoh use you as he please
Powerful figures exploit and manipulate us, just as Pharaoh did to the Israelites in the Bible.
Work'll set you free, the chains tight
The false promise of liberation through labor, while still being metaphorically chained and oppressed.
Thirty g's four hundred years
Referring to the American institution of slavery and the enormous wealth generated over centuries.
Plantation or penitentiary
The options for black individuals in America are limited to either enslavement or imprisonment.
Still America's most wanted, all eyes on me
Despite the struggles faced, I remain one of the most sought-after and scrutinized figures in America.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind