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.
Gazpacho
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always last to know
Never tired of watching grass grow
Plenty work to do might borrow the Master's tools
If I don't give em back that's your first clue
Pull dark skin over white bones winked like let's get this show on the road
Vacation in undisclosed locations redacted enhanced interrogation
Occams Ratchet
Jenga with words Risk with birds all Snakes & Ladders far as I can discern
Back on the gold standard eulogy was a banger
Even Granny red to ride on them neggers
Flattered me with seats in the rogue's gallery
Eat food like soo-woo but it ain't no calories
God's conscience
Frankenstein's monster
Tiger Blood out Sri Lanka
Nightcap Fernet Branca
40s and blunts with Samuel Doe son
Killa tape missin we all seen it once
Monrovia's Prince sip the Can of Kings the air hum redrum give you wings
Served cold like Gazpacho derb fold like tacos knock-knock go the Knockos
No shock they bagged Flaco Slippery slope or slow slalom top of the world, ma
I made it to the bottom watching the Cotton Bowl from a coffeeshop in Holland
Homesick stick-after-stick Super Pollum kept spittin till I got em cause I want em got
It's all fun and games till I catch you on the uprock it can't be what it's not
The lyrics of Billy Woods's song Gazpacho are extremely dense and require careful consideration to understand their meaning. The opening lines of the song speak to a sense of detachment and feeling out of touch with the world, as the singer is always last to know and enjoys watching grass grow. However, the next line speaks to a willingness to work and borrow from others, perhaps suggesting a willingness to participate in society despite feeling disconnected. The mention of the Master's tools is ambiguous and may refer to a higher power or simply someone skilled at their craft.
The rest of the song jumps through a variety of disjointed images and ideas, many of which are difficult to fully unpack. Lines like "redacted enhanced interrogation" suggest a critique of government practices like torture and censorship, while the reference to "Jenga with words" and "Risk with birds" may highlight the destabilizing and unpredictable nature of language and communication. Other lines, such as "Granny red to ride on them neggers," suggest a willingness to challenge societal norms and expectations, while the closing line about catching someone on the "uprock" speaks to a sense of aggression and readiness to act.
Overall, the song seems to address a sense of alienation and disconnection in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable. The singer grapples with their own desires and willingness to participate in society, while also recognizing the darker aspects of human nature and the systems that govern our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The last picture show
The final show or installment, often denoting an era of nostalgia and an end to something.
Always last to know
Being unaware of what's happening or ignorant of things until the very end.
Never tired of watching grass grow
Being complacent with an uneventful routine, despite having the option to do more.
Plenty work to do might borrow the Master's tools
Having an abundance of tasks, possibly requiring the use of someone else's equipment to complete the work.
If I don't give em back that's your first clue
Hinting at potential clues or risks by jokingly referring to the possibility of not returning borrowed tools.
Pull dark skin over white bones winked like let's get this show on the road
Preparing to take action, symbolized by covering up one's white bones with dark skin, and signaling readiness through a wink.
Vacation in undisclosed locations redacted enhanced interrogation
Indulging in undisclosed locations to avoid scrutiny, perhaps to enhance one's interests or to pursue controversial activities.
Occams Ratchet
Referring to principles of scientific thinking that assumes simpler solutions are more likely to be correct.
Rest assured call back when the line's secure Aaron Burr shot the gift left unperturbed
Making sure of secure communication and avoiding any disturbance while citing an instance from history when a treasonous act was shrugged off.
Jenga with words Risk with birds all Snakes & Ladders far as I can discern
Trying to be strategic and careful, while comparing it to different board games that involve risk, reward, and chance.
Back on the gold standard eulogy was a banger
Returning to traditional values, with performance of eulogies done exceptionally well.
Even Granny red to ride on them neggers
Even Grandma would approve of associating with people of color or doing something unconventional and daring.
Flattered me with seats in the rogue's gallery
Being amused or pleased by being included among the odd or unconventional members in a group.
Eat food like soo-woo but it ain't no calories
Indulging in food extravagantly, while avoiding any negative health consequences.
God's conscience
Referring to someone with a conscience like God or a highly moral person.
Frankenstein's monster
Referring to someone or something created through artificial means and symbolizing a lack of control or responsibility.
Tiger Blood out Sri Lanka
Referring to having extraordinary attributes, like a tiger's blood, while comparing it to something from Sri Lanka, perhaps to maintain a sense of uniqueness.
Nightcap Fernet Branca
Having a drink before bed, possibly to aid with sleep, and referring to the brand Fernet Branca.
40s and blunts with Samuel Doe son
Indulging in drinks and drugs with someone, perhaps trying to establish a connection with or emulate Samuel Doe's son.
Killa tape missin we all seen it once
Referring to a famous mixtape that is no longer available; many have seen it and unknowingly agree on its popularity.
Monrovia's Prince sip the Can of Kings the air hum redrum give you wings
Drinking from a royal or kingly cup while hearing something ominous (redrum is 'murder' backwards) can still uplift spirits while carrying a warning.
Served cold like Gazpacho derb fold like tacos knock-knock go the Knockos
Dealing with adversity and handling it coolly, with a nod to the food Gazpacho served cold, and wordplay with 'derb fold' and 'tacos'. Mockingly indicating a police visit ('knock-knock') amidst challenges.
No shock they bagged Flaco Slippery slope or slow slalom top of the world, ma
Not being surprised when someone with a nickname like Flaco is captured by authorities, but acknowledging the precariousness of what success he had is by saying it was akin to going down a slippery slope or trying to navigate a slalom. While it may seem like being on top of the world, things can quickly unravel.
I made it to the bottom watching the Cotton Bowl from a coffeeshop in Holland
Coming down from a high point, symbolized by reaching the bottom, while reminiscing about watching a football game in a faraway place.
Homesick stick-after-stick Super Pollum kept spittin till I got em cause I want em got
A reference to a smoker who keeps smoking one cigarette after another out of a desire to have them, even when the craving is already satiated.
It's all fun and games till I catch you on the uprock it can't be what it's not
Being confrontational and asserting the importance of being truthful, with uprock being a street-dancing style; that someone who enjoys fun and games should be honest and not pretend to be someone they're not.
Writer(s): James A Simon, F Porter
Contributed by Gianna B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.