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.
Source Awards
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heart, heart is, heart, heart is cold
Heart is cold, cold like Russia
Survived Red Scares, White Terrors
Suspicious, you snitched like Kundera
Feng Shui where she put the black mirror
Shot in the arm was Depo Provera
Dealing lightning out both hands
Gave the middleman a couple grand
Guy Fieri hamburglars
Worst bums be the best earners
Handfuls of Tums like I did a murder
Passed a L, some shit you never heard of
Now you feeling self conscious and nervous
Shit, might have to up the price
Dour schemes, Pyramids is Herbalife
Sour Dream yeah, you heard him right
The future's bright and it's coming
Heart is cold like Russia got, got, got
Got jerked at The Source Awards
Heart is cold like Russia
Got, got, got jerked at The Source Awards
Heart is cold like Russia
Got, got, got jerked at The Source Awards
Next year
Two hundred niggas coming with swords
Eye contact you know I'm hating
Gutter album better you got a good agent
Black gloves, Black tie occasion
Slid through on the low low
Plus one had me in the third row
Looking like Dr no meets Camilo Cienfuegos
Your mans turned white as a ghost
Shook like Freddie Roach
2Pac Jacket couldn't check the coat
A whole heap of rappers I don't even know
Still clapped like, way to go
Opera glasses to my face, not trying to hear
No second place, shrimp was okay, crab cake
Was great, they should've checked his waist
Get your hand outta my pocket! You get
Your hand outta my pocket nigga!
The lyrics to Billy Woods's song "Source Awards" depict a cold and detached mentality, symbolized by the comparison to Russia's coldness. The line "Heart is cold like Russia" implies emotional distance and a lack of empathy. The repetition of this line emphasizes the character's desensitized state.
The song delves into various themes, such as surviving oppressive forces like the Red Scares and White Terrors, alluding to historical periods of political repression. The mention of Kundera implies a sense of suspicion and betrayal, while the reference to Feng Shui and the black mirror suggests an introspective and self-reflective approach. The line "shook like Freddie Roach" alludes to the acclaimed boxing coach, further emphasizing the vulnerability and fearfulness of the character.
The mention of The Source Awards, an annual hip-hop award show, adds a layer of irony to the lyrics. Being "jerked" at the awards implies being mistreated or treated unfairly. The line "Next year, two hundred niggas coming with swords" suggests a desire for revenge or retribution, highlighting the character's resentment and desire to confront those who have wronged them.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart is cold like Russia got, got, got
My heart is as cold as Russia, it's frozen and unfeeling.
Got jerked at The Source Awards
I was taken advantage of at The Source Awards, deceived or cheated.
Heart is cold like Russia
My heart remains as cold as Russia, unemotional and indifferent.
Got, got, got jerked at The Source Awards
I was repeatedly deceived or cheated at The Source Awards.
Heart is cold like Russia
My heart remains as cold as Russia, unemotional and indifferent.
Got, got, got jerked at The Source Awards
I was repeatedly deceived or cheated at The Source Awards.
Next year
Referring to the upcoming year.
Two hundred niggas coming with swords
Two hundred individuals, armed with swords, will be arriving.
Eye contact you know I'm hating
When I make eye contact, it's evident that I'm filled with hatred.
Gutter album better you got a good agent
If you have a skilled agent, your album in the gutter may fare better.
Black gloves, Black tie occasion
Donning black gloves and a black tie, signifying a formal event.
Slid through on the low low
Entered discreetly and quietly.
Plus one had me in the third row
Having a guest pass, I was seated in the third row.
Looking like Dr no meets Camilo Cienfuegos
My appearance resembled a blend of Dr. No and Camilo Cienfuegos.
Your mans turned white as a ghost
Your friends became pale with fear or shock.
Shook like Freddie Roach
They trembled like Freddie Roach, a renowned boxing trainer.
2Pac Jacket couldn't check the coat
Even wearing a jacket associated with 2Pac couldn't prevent checking the coat.
A whole heap of rappers I don't even know
There were numerous rappers present whom I had no knowledge of.
Still clapped like, way to go
Despite not knowing them, I still applauded like, 'way to go.'
Opera glasses to my face, not trying to hear
I held opera glasses to my face, demonstrating disinterest or refusal to listen.
No second place, shrimp was okay, crab cake
I only settle for first place, the shrimp was acceptable, but the crab cake was remarkable.
Was great, they should've checked his waist
It was excellent, they should have inspected his waist for concealed items.
Get your hand outta my pocket! You get
Remove your hand from my pocket! I insist on it.
Your hand outta my pocket nigga!
I demand that you remove your hand from my pocket, my comrade!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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