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.
The Foreigner
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He ain't believe till his ace
Boon took the stand shook the DA hand
That's that honor amongst thieves
My enemy's enemies are always well received
Served hors d'oeuvres, tricks up sleeves
The hoochie grins
But it ain't no compromise, I'm
Small caliber, close range, General Nguyen
Feburary 1st, '68
The best laid plans of mice and men
Flip the coin, call it fate
Froze like a pipehead on a crack
Stem when bodines hit the Gate
Night Riders in
Reconstruction, Gentrification
Crackas got suction
Righteous Among The Nations
Hebrews bailed him out
Co-d's hit the state pen
Staying with my ex-girl but we just friends
Got a nigga on a strict regimen
Blowing sour L's in pissy stairwells
She caught me coming home from
Work like "oh hell no, you gots to go"
Fair enough, but if so, we might as well fuck
Sleepless in Seattle, don't make sense
Like two niggas cracking jokes
With no beat and wanna call it a battle
Takes all kinds I suppose
Think big, young Cecil Rhodes
You dig the flows? come to the
Shows with your best dro
Unleaded diesel petrol
Facing a Parliament Of Rooks I
Got a Murder Of Crows
Slayed the broad that night, murder she wrote
In the swamp neck deep
Vigorish high, Jimmy the Greek
Eagles by three makes it a tie
Woe unto he who believe a
Word these Boers speak
Crammed into the OTB with the
Rest of the creeps fear reeks
By noon the Polacks is three sheets
Land sharks three deep for percentages
Compounded by the week
Eyes blank like plainclothes police
Tell em to pick they own cotton
This is professional football we
Don't run the option barry Sanders
Who gives a fuck if niggas blocking?
Top of the ki/key, white as John Stockton
We need this one to beat the spread
They keep guns to heat the lead
Beat the odds or eat your meds
The force of the blast tore him to shreds
CeeLo! When them atoms crack, bet on black
Rain, radioactive hurricane
The abyss beckons
I'm bettin' the farm subsidy
Comfortably, talking big like they
Ain't touching me
Sobered up, trying to skip town
Double dutch masters, full of brown
Bamboozle
Stop by her job like it's business as usual
But, um, can I hold something till payday?
"Can't do nothing for you
Man" like Flava Flav got problems of my own
The lyrics to Billy Woods's song "The Foreigner" are rich in imagery and metaphor, capturing the harsh realities of life and the complexities of survival. The opening lines suggest that time waits for no man and that one must seize opportunities when they arise. The reference to Boon taking the stand and shaking hands with the District Attorney implies a betrayal within the criminal underworld, highlighting the precariousness of trust among thieves. The next lines speak to the idea that alliances with one's enemies can sometimes be beneficial, highlighting the unpredictable nature of human relationships. The lyrics also touch upon themes of revolution and resistance, with references to historical figures like Ho Chi Minh and MC Ren. The line "The best laid plans of mice and men" suggests that even the most well-intentioned actions can be disrupted or derailed. The song further delves into the realities of urban life, such as gentrification, drugs, and the complexities of romantic relationships. The references to crack, prison, and a strict regimen reflect the struggles faced by individuals caught up in these circumstances. The lyrics also hint at the absurdities of life, such as cracking jokes in the absence of a beat and facing a Parliament of Rooks. The song culminates with a powerful statement about the destructive nature of humanity, exemplified by the line "Slayed the broad that night, murder she wrote," conveying a sense of violence and darkness. Overall, the lyrics are a tapestry of vivid images and thought-provoking metaphors, exploring various facets of struggle and survival in a complex world.
Line by Line Meaning
Time wait's for no man
The passage of time does not wait for anyone.
He ain't believe till his ace
He did not believe until he had conclusive evidence.
Boon took the stand shook the DA hand
Boon testified and showed his loyalty by shaking the District Attorney's hand.
That's that honor amongst thieves
It represents the unwritten code of honor followed by criminals.
My enemy's enemies are always well received
I welcome anyone who opposes my enemies, as they are seen as allies.
Served hors d'oeuvres, tricks up sleeves
I subtly presented surprises or hidden strategies.
The hoochie grins
Promiscuous women smirk in amusement.
But it ain't no compromise, I'm Ho Chi Minh
There is no room for compromise; I am ruthless and determined.
Ruthless, MC Ren
Just like the rap artist MC Ren, I am ruthless and unyielding.
Small caliber, close range, General Nguyen
Working efficiently with limited power and proximity, mimicking the approach of General Nguyen.
Feburary 1st, '68
Referring to a specific date, February 1st, 1968.
The best laid plans of mice and men
Even the most carefully thought out plans can go awry.
Flip the coin, call it fate
Leave the outcome to chance by flipping a coin.
Froze like a pipehead on a crack stem when bodines hit the Gate
Being paralyzed by fear, akin to a drug addict frozen while using a crack pipe.
Night Riders in
Mysterious and dangerous individuals of the night have arrived.
Reconstruction, Gentrification
The processes of rebuilding and renovating a neighborhood.
Crackas got suction
White people have a stronghold or influence.
Righteous Among The Nations
Acknowledging individuals who acted honorably and bravely during difficult times.
Hebrews bailed him out
Jewish people provided financial assistance to someone in need.
Co-d's hit the state pen
Accomplices were sentenced to prison.
Staying with my ex-girl but we just friends
Living with an ex-partner but maintaining a platonic friendship.
Got a nigga on a strict regimen
Following a strict routine or plan.
Blowing sour L's in pissy stairwells
Smoking low-quality marijuana cigarettes in unpleasant stairwells.
She caught me coming home from Work like 'oh hell no, you gots to go'
When she saw me returning from work, she immediately demanded that I leave.
Fair enough, but if so, we might as well fuck
Agreeing with her statement but suggesting a sexual encounter nonetheless.
Sleepless in Seattle, don't make sense
The phrase alludes to feeling restless and uncomfortable in a situation, despite it being unrelated to Seattle.
Like two niggas cracking jokes with no beat and wanna call it a battle
Engaging in a battle of wits or humor without a rhythmic backing, but still considering it a competition.
Takes all kinds I suppose
Acknowledging the existence of various types of people.
Think big, young Cecil Rhodes
Encouraging the listener to think ambitiously, referencing Cecil Rhodes as a symbol of grand ambitions.
You dig the flows? come to the Shows with your best dro
If you appreciate my style of rapping, attend my live performances while enjoying high-quality marijuana.
Unleaded diesel petrol
Referring to a type of fuel mixture.
Facing a Parliament Of Rooks I Got a Murder Of Crows
Confronting a group or assembly of cunning individuals, similar to a flock of crows.
Slayed the broad that night, murder she wrote
He killed the woman that night, reminiscent of a murder mystery story.
In the swamp neck deep
Being deeply involved or trapped in a difficult situation.
Vigorish high, Jimmy the Greek
Referring to someone, like Jimmy the Greek, who sets high interest rates or fees.
Eagles by three makes it a tie
If the Philadelphia Eagles have a three-point lead, the game is considered a draw.
Woe unto he who believe a Word these Boers speak
Pity befalls anyone who trusts the words spoken by these individuals.
Crammed into the OTB with the Rest of the creeps fear reeks
Crowded into the off-track betting establishment with other unsavory individuals.
By noon the Polacks is three sheets
By midday, the Polish people are drunk.
Land sharks three deep for percentages
Predatory individuals ready to exploit others for a share of their profits.
Compounded by the week
The situation becomes more severe with each passing week.
Eyes blank like plainclothes police
Expressionless eyes resembling undercover police officers.
Tell em to pick they own cotton
Ordering them to be self-sufficient and not rely on others.
This is professional football we Don't run the option barry Sanders
In professional football, running the option play, as Barry Sanders would, is not done.
Who gives a fuck if niggas blocking?
It is insignificant if others are hindering progress.
Top of the ki/key, white as John Stockton
Being at the highest level, white like the basketball player John Stockton.
We need this one to beat the spread
It is necessary to win by a wide margin to cover the point spread.
They keep guns to heat the lead
They possess firearms to intimidate and use violence.
Beat the odds or eat your meds
Either overcome the difficult circumstances or suffer the consequences.
The force of the blast tore him to shreds
The explosion's power completely destroyed him.
CeeLo! When them atoms crack, bet on black
Referencing the musician CeeLo Green, the line suggests that when things go awry, expect the worst outcome.
Rain, radioactive hurricane
A metaphorical combination of rain and a hazardous, destructive force.
The abyss beckons
The void or emptiness calls out to me.
I'm bettin' the farm subsidy
I am risking everything, including financial support, on this wager.
Comfortably, talking big like they Ain't touching me
Confidently boasting and acting unaffected by their threats.
Sobered up, trying to skip town
Becoming more aware of the situation and attempting to leave town discreetly.
Double dutch masters, full of brown
Referring to cigars filled with marijuana.
Bamboozle
Deceive or trick someone.
Stop by her job like it's business as usual
Visiting her workplace as if it were a normal occurrence.
But, um, can I hold something till payday?
Politely requesting to borrow money until the next payday.
'Can't do nothing for you Man' like Flava Flav got problems of my own
Answering negatively, akin to Flava Flav refusing assistance due to personal issues.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bcaulf
Complicated, fascinating lyrics. Thanks @Turbo Heisenberg for making this available.