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.
Nigerian Email
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm looking for reasonable doubt
The check's in the mail and I promise
Not to cum in your mouth
I was born during a drought
I was born into a
House divided against it'self
I was born into the mouth
Dad died, they gave me his stuff
I put a couple more notches in the belt
Play the hand you dealt, DC on melt
Seeds pop in '98 knockin' "Release
Yo Delf" in HU Meridian
Bush weed got me feelin' like a kid again
Traffic island Gilligan, DWB, accept
The pat down, Second-class citizen
No need for the sugar coatin'
You see any brothas on the moon? (Huh?)
I got you open, Scott Norwood with the shank
You get cut and ganked
Gaffled, leaking from the poking
Big bank take little bank
Zimbabwean dollars what I'm holding so
I'll take that now
Thanks, Sani Abacha, the boy golden
Face bloated, wrists frozen
When he wave from outdated Soviet tank
Don't be frontin' like you don't know him
Buried in fatigues, Soulja Slim
I C-Murder in a Crimson Tide, George Teague
The Overlook Hotel is where I've always been
Your frame of reference is Brick Squad
Mine is Poppa Large
BIG shot on the East Coast
Ain't what it used to be, but I'll take it
Idle Boast, Cowardly Threat, flow makeshift
Hey momma, I finally made it! No lie
Son jumped out a third story
Window when we got raided
My feet never left the floor
I'm on that James Naismith
Soft-spoken, unabrasive
Politely ask Whitey to loosen the bracelet
Cuba Gooding his way out of central booking
Hot date? I do the cooking
Turns out she stays up in the Bronx
I'm in Brooklyn
That commute ain't appealin'
Best not forget your earrings
Summer heat searing
She's dressed for it so of
Course the streets are leering
My skin crawl and stomach turning
As Bill Bellamy cornballs
Honking and swerving
She hardly seem to notice
Focused like bourbon, Neat
I break up trees on your
Fourth generation imitation Premier beats
That's definitely not the flavor
And trust me you not doing the 90s no favors
Louie XIV in a clean
Glass piece, slow motion, Lee Majors
Theme music for stolen credit card movements
They caught the most etherous of vapor
White Suburb, Black Neighbor
I'm high like black Mayor
River City Ransom
But the hoe don't need no saviors
Sheesh, this hashish got me repeating myself
I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers
In the song "Nigerian Email" by Billy Woods, the lyrics convey a multitude of themes and experiences. The first few lines "The truth already set sail, I'm looking for reasonable doubt" suggest a search for truth or understanding in a world where things may not always be as they seem. The phrase "The check's in the mail and I promise not to cum in your mouth" is a crude way of saying that promises are being made but they may not be fulfilled or trustworthy.
The following lines touch on the artist's personal background and circumstances. Being born during a drought and into a divided household metaphorically reflect a challenging and tumultuous environment. The reference to wealth amidst poverty suggests a stark contrast and the complexities of socio-economic dynamics. The mention of the father's death and inheriting his belongings adds another layer of personal struggle and loss.
The lyrics then shift to societal issues, with the reference to "DC on melt," alluding to the intense heat and pressure in Washington, D.C. It implies a sense of chaos, possibly in the political climate. The mention of "Seeds pop in '98" could refer to the birth of new ideas or a pivotal moment in history.
The line "No need for the sugar coating, you see any brothers on the moon?" confronts racial inequalities and challenges the listener to recognize the lack of representation and opportunities for marginalized communities. It implies that society is still far from achieving true equality.
The lyrics later touch on various cultural references, such as Scott Norwood, the former NFL kicker whose missed field goal cost the Buffalo Bills a game, symbolizing failure or disappointment. The mention of Soulja Slim, C-Murder, and George Teague alludes to figures in hip-hop and sports, building a mosaic of cultural influences and personal experiences.
The lyrics then mention the Overlook Hotel, a reference to the novel and film "The Shining," suggesting a sense of being trapped or stuck in a certain situation. The contrast between "your frame of reference" being Brick Squad and the artist's being Poppa Large highlights differing perspectives and influences.
In the later verses, the lyrics explore personal relationships and encounters. The artist mentions a woman he is dating who lives in the Bronx while he resides in Brooklyn, highlighting the challenges of a long-distance relationship and the conflicting realities of different neighborhoods. The mention of Bill Bellamy and the perception of street harassment reflects the disturbing aspects of everyday life and how people cope with them.
The final lines touch on drug use and the repetitiveness it can induce. The mention of getting the papers may refer to acquiring marijuana or rolling papers, suggesting a desire for escape or relaxation.
Overall, the lyrics of "Nigerian Email" intertwine personal experiences, societal issues, cultural references, and reflections on relationships and daily life, providing a multi-layered and thought-provoking commentary on a range of subjects.
Line by Line Meaning
The truth already set sail
The truth has already been revealed and cannot be changed
I'm looking for reasonable doubt
I'm searching for evidence that raises uncertainty or skepticism
The check's in the mail and I promise
I assure you that the payment will be sent soon
Not to cum in your mouth
I won't deceive or betray you
I was born during a drought
I was born in a time of scarcity or hardship
I was born into a
I was born into a situation
House divided against it'self
A family or group that is in conflict or disagreement
I was born into the mouth
I was born into a position of privilege
Of wealth amidst poverty
Surrounded by poverty despite personal wealth
Dad died, they gave me his stuff
My father passed away, and I inherited his possessions
I put a couple more notches in the belt
I achieved a few more accomplishments or victories
Play the hand you dealt, DC on melt
Deal with the circumstances you have been given, facing chaos
Seeds pop in '98 knockin' 'Release
Planting seeds of change in 1998, referencing a song by Wu-Tang Clan
Yo Delf' in HU Meridian
Referring to a Wu-Tang Clan song performed at Howard University
Bush weed got me feelin' like a kid again
Marijuana from Bushwick area making me feel youthful and carefree
Traffic island Gilligan, DWB, accept
Comparing oneself to a stranded character, facing racial profiling, reluctantly accepting it
The pat down, Second-class citizen
Being searched by law enforcement due to racial discrimination, treated as inferior
No need for the sugar coatin'
There's no need to soften or sweeten the truth
You see any brothas on the moon? (Huh?)
Rhetorical question emphasizing the lack of black representation in prestigious or advanced positions
I got you open, Scott Norwood with the shank
I have you vulnerable and exposed, referring to a missed field goal by Scott Norwood
You get cut and ganked
You suffer a betrayal or attack
Gaffled, leaking from the poking
Caught off guard, injured from being stabbed or prodded
Big bank take little bank
Referring to the wealthy taking advantage of the less fortunate
Zimbabwean dollars what I'm holding so
I only have worthless or devalued currency
I'll take that now
I'll take whatever you're offering or suggesting
Thanks, Sani Abacha, the boy golden
Expressing gratitude to Sani Abacha, a corrupt Nigerian leader, sarcastically highlighting his wealth
Face bloated, wrists frozen
Having a swollen or bloated face, flaunting expensive accessories
When he wave from outdated Soviet tank
Imagining the extravagant gesture of waving from a no longer relevant military vehicle
Don't be frontin' like you don't know him
Don't pretend like you're not aware of his existence or influence
Buried in fatigues, Soulja Slim
Referring to the rapper Soulja Slim, who was killed while wearing military-style clothing
I C-Murder in a Crimson Tide, George Teague
Drawing parallels between the rapper C-Murder's situation and George Teague's actions in a football game
The Overlook Hotel is where I've always been
Referencing a haunted hotel from a Stephen King novel, signifying a long-standing presence in a sinister or troubled environment
Your frame of reference is Brick Squad
Comparing different perspectives, with Brick Squad representing a specific rap group
Mine is Poppa Large
My perspective is influenced by Poppa Large, likely referring to a song by Ultramagnetic MCs
BIG shot on the East Coast
Referring to the rapper The Notorious B.I.G.'s influence and success on the East Coast
Ain't what it used to be, but I'll take it
Although it has changed, I'm willing to accept the current state of affairs
Idle Boast, Cowardly Threat, flow makeshift
Exaggerated bragging, weak intimidation, and an improvised style of rapping
Hey momma, I finally made it! No lie
Celebrating success and accomplishment, assuring it's not a fabrication
Son jumped out a third story
Someone's child jumped from a tall building
Window when we got raided
The event occurred during a police raid on the premises
My feet never left the floor
I remained grounded and unaffected by the situation
I'm on that James Naismith
I'm following the principles and foundations set by James Naismith, the inventor of basketball
Soft-spoken, unabrasive
I have a calm and gentle demeanor
Politely ask Whitey to loosen the bracelet
Requesting white individuals to remove their oppressive control or influence
Cuba Gooding his way out of central booking
Referencing actor Cuba Gooding Jr.'s movie role where he escapes from police custody
Hot date? I do the cooking
If there's a romantic encounter, I'll handle the preparations
Turns out she stays up in the Bronx
Surprisingly, she resides in the Bronx
I'm in Brooklyn
I currently reside in Brooklyn
That commute ain't appealin'
The journey between the Bronx and Brooklyn is not desirable
Best not forget your earrings
It's important not to neglect or overlook your personal adornments
Summer heat searing
The intense heat of summer scorching everything
She's dressed for it so of
She's appropriately attired for the hot weather, so
Course the streets are leering
Naturally, people on the streets are staring or ogling
My skin crawl and stomach turning
Feeling uncomfortable, disgusted, and unsettled
As Bill Bellamy cornballs
Similar to comedian Bill Bellamy's cheesy or unfunny jokes
Honking and swerving
Cars loudly honking and abruptly changing directions
She hardly seem to notice
She appears oblivious or unaffected by the commotion
Focused like bourbon, Neat
Displaying an intense and concentrated demeanor, like a straight glass of bourbon
I break up trees on your
I dismantle and destroy your preconceived notions or perceptions
Fourth generation imitation Premier beats
Referring to a style of beats emulating DJ Premier, but less authentic due to multiple iterations
That's definitely not the flavor
That is certainly not the right taste or style
And trust me you not doing the 90s no favors
Your actions or choices are not representing or honoring the 90s era well
Louie XIV in a clean
Dressing luxuriously, like Louis XIV, in a pristine
Glass piece, slow motion, Lee Majors
Using an elegant and expensive glass smoking device, reminiscent of slow-motion scenes in TV shows featuring Lee Majors
Theme music for stolen credit card movements
My music serves as the soundtrack for engaging in fraudulent activities using stolen credit cards
They caught the most etherous of vapor
They captured the most elusive and intangible essence
White Suburb, Black Neighbor
A contrast between a predominantly white suburban area and a black resident
I'm high like black Mayor
I'm elevated and empowered, drawing a parallel to a black mayor's influence
River City Ransom
Referencing a video game where characters fight against oppression and conquer challenges
But the hoe don't need no saviors
The woman does not require anyone to save or rescue her
Sheesh, this hashish got me repeating myself
Expressing mild annoyance or frustration by realizing the repetition caused by the effects of hashish
I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers
I'm going to retrieve the necessary documents or information
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind