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.
Peter Luger
Billy Woods Lyrics
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Like 510 and fill in your tape
Time to rap hella great
Drives to keep Sway and Tek away
Or we all start to hallucinate
I rap long enough to dig a whole
In your crates, copping big button drugs
You got a dub and shake thems the breaks
Niggas like fuck Billy
He still owe me from '98
Oh man you fitting to menestrate
Take this roach now we straight
Youngin' you know mom still eying my cape
I just known rocket'll late
Up top got me out of shape
But I can go back to squatting with weight
Put race in jakes sorry, slang blurry
I mean the bowl but honestly
I'd rather do shoes with the high and dro
Watch the Barry White pro
Sipping ice cold, nice with milkshake flows
The brain freeze MCs
Kids nasty reminiscing over golden shower
Talk smooth enough to move a kilo or flower
Time Square rush hour, big gun, little men
And cowards
Paid back spitamat coming for hours
The Charles Bronson conscience hold up
I know you ain't still talking that nonsense
NY is full of beef now
Africa don't have sacred cows
I'm in the big chair like Mao
Sixty-nine stolen rollies
‘Bout to hate you now
It's a lot of mumble heads talking ‘bout Pac
And flunk niggas trying to take five shots
Got the vest to match the Glock
Couple rounds how you ran old block
You go there with them undercover cops
Same one you need just to go to the spot
No wonder you say you hot
Backwoods I'll be with the trees negro please
I got six degrees separation between
Me and these MCs
Mostly with Dennis bottle, Baldwin novel
Chilling in the hovel
The words ring hollow, copied and borrowed
They'll be better tomorrow
But right now darkness reigns
I got nothing to lose but your chains
Affiliated with ice in my veins
Frying pan to the flames
Fuck jacking beats, we need planes
Destination harbour's at the ferry
John Brown things, they hang him in the rain
Babylon use they brain, cotton or cocaine
A rose by any other name
007 what I tell you
Right now I got this all day
Fully automatics for your cabbage
Peter Luger it's what's for dinner
Illegal tender medium rare black ninjas
Only corpses and winners, let's eat
The lyrics of Billy Woods's song "Peter Luger" present a dense and intricate web of wordplay and imagery, reflecting the artist's unique style and perspective. The song showcases Woods's ability to craft clever and thought-provoking verses that touch on various themes and social issues.
The opening lines, "Shadow pocket hit the 718/Like 510 and fill in your tape" juxtapose geographic references (718 being a Brooklyn area code and 510 being an Oakland area code) with a nostalgic nod to the era of mixtapes. Woods establishes his skill and ambition from the start, expressing his desire to rap exceptionally well and deflect criticism. The line "Drives to keep Sway and Tek away" suggests a determination to avoid negative influences or distractions from his craft, as he raps to the point of hallucination.
The song continues to interweave personal reflections and references to different aspects of hip-hop culture. The line "You got a dub and shake thems the breaks" alludes to the fragility and unpredictability of success in the music industry. Woods cleverly plays with language and slang, referencing "go-go dub plate" and implying a reliance on his own artistry to navigate the challenges he faces.
Throughout the song, Woods confronts his detractors while showcasing his lyrical prowess. Lines like "Talk smooth enough to move a kilo or flower" highlight his ability to manipulate language and create vivid imagery. He alludes to the dark reality of society ("Babylon use they brain, cotton or cocaine") and asserts his individuality in the face of conformity ("I got nothing to lose but your chains").
In summary, "Peter Luger" is a lyrical tour de force that showcases Billy Woods's ability to craft complex and thought-provoking verses. It touches on themes of ambition, authenticity, and societal critique, all while maintaining a unique and poetic wordplay.
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