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.
Fool's Gold
Billy Woods Lyrics
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Really thought it was him 'cause I
Stood back a few rows
Angry people threw 'bows and
Crushed a few toes
It was like a live production
Of The Emperor's New Clothes
Promoter/rappers book me gigs at new venues
A fucking employee rocking a grin
Like a Cheshire Cat
And I'm wearing a jester hat
Sitting there watching him cut up pepperjack
The rap fans on the net
Are the fucking biggest ones
Steady letting babyfaces mark
‘em for hit-and-runs
A bunch of fool players learning new prayers
None of 'em showing you how to
Be your own soothsaying oracle
At least take turns
Like a two-player portable
Play the mark or play the carney
Stay in the dark or host the party
Write the play or play in
The park like a child, Shit
I be watching Soul School like an old fool
All up in the wrong castle
Like Mario and Toadstool
I'm from the Blowed
Fool it's also a pronoun
Bought the deed to some land in
A South Pole snow town
Ugh, fool me once, shame on
You, fool me twice, I'm lame
Cats is nice with the game
In this record lane not!
Still I manage to get strung along
Once I brung a song to the
Tabletop and had it flop
Wasn't for the lack of opportunity knocking
Just a lot of empty
Promises and halfhearted talking
Even paperwork don't seem to
Hold a lot ofwater
Never seeing sales reports or reports of
My slaughter in retail land (Huh)
I've tried to expand (Huh)
Done a lot for the cause
But the rebel gets slammed (Slammed)
Doors (Doors) never opening after initial work
Promoters holdin out on the dough
I'm thinkin this will work
Every time I sign on the line
At least try to flex optimism
And see the shine I get idle text
One of these days I may really wake up
But for now they keep foolin 'til my
Band break up and that's tough
I booked the same room as our first date
Relieved
Finally, no need to lie about working late
Nervously pace, looking in the mirror
You look great, easily ten years younger
I could be thirty-eight petals on the duvet
I picture her face after years
Of roses on nightstands when I take her hand
And say you could be an honest woman
Don't say a word yet/champagne on ice
I'll take you away from all of this
You don't have to put on the red light
A single passionate kiss
That shows me you had the
Same knot in your chest
From years of wondering "maybe" and "what if"
It's not that I don't love my wife and kids
But this is it for happiness
I'm waiting by the window like Malcolm X
Courtyard by Marriott, room twenty-six
Just as real as I imagined
Honeysuckle root all on my mattress
I want you forever if you asking
Infatuated vision in this blackness
Matchstick memory candlelight, shadow play
Unfamiliar energy, welcoming
A fortnight since we last connected
Confessions
Otherworldly pleasures in your presence
Possess me, these sessions in succession
By the moon exhausted drain me baby, awesome
Climax cumulus, union of like mind
Sidetrack illusions
I'm not truly in right mind
Demon spawn polluted
I'm consumed, a fool in denial
Nighttime intrusions concluded with
Deceitful smiles
Waking hours, eyes open on cold tile
Covered in sweat and bile
Doc shake his head, look over my files
Longtime sufferer, asylum
Silence, awaiting her arrival
In "Fool's Gold," Billy Woods reflects on his experiences in the music industry and the deceptive nature of fame and success. He recounts a time when he attended a DOOM show and got caught up in the illusion of the artist's presence, comparing it to the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes." He criticizes promoters and rappers who promise him gigs but fail to deliver on their promises, leaving him feeling like a fool. He also comments on the online rap community, where fans often fall for false narratives and hype, without seeking their own understanding or wisdom.
The second verse continues this theme of being deceived and taken advantage of. Woods discusses his struggles as an artist who doesn't receive the recognition and support he feels he deserves. He mentions empty promises, lack of sales reports, and promoters withholding payment. Despite these setbacks, he remains hopeful and tries to maintain optimism, even though he acknowledges that the industry is tough.
The third verse takes on a more personal narrative, where Woods describes a clandestine affair with a lover. He paints a picture of their secret rendezvous, away from his wife and family. He expresses his longing for this forbidden happiness, but acknowledges the conflict within him. He waits anxiously by the window, reminiscent of Malcolm X waiting for signs of progress and change. The verse ends with a hint of anticipation as he awaits the arrival of his lover.
Overall, "Fool's Gold" offers a critique of the deceitful nature of the music industry and explores themes of deception, desire, and the pursuit of happiness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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