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.
Washington Redskins
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Agree he can jump out the gym
Out on a limb if you assuming we're friends
Assume nothing, be better off in the end
Buried where the Potomac bend
Harpers Ferry tides blood rimmed
Fight for Old DC, write tight eulogy
Houses underwater in PG and what rough beast
The Quickening
From podiums, madmen heap scorn
Wild-eyed bickering
The best lack all conviction
The worst claim: "it was written"
Judge said, "nigga, listen"
Then it was off to debtor's prison
Still caught the game, dayroom television
Blood feud, crude weapon, water drawn
Wood hewed
No new news, sky bruised, sour amuse bouche
Dour delta blues, blunt-stained tooth
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
Homemade fade, Starter blue and maize
Shirt had a Bart Simpson phrase
Copped weight outside RFK
Run off blocks like the counter-trey
Still, where there's a will, there's a way
Time capsule, raw pepper spray haze
One way or another, all debts get paid
Told the brother, all bullets is strays
Silver Spring Metro, waitin' on that Y8
Sippin' petrol
Waitin' for that heat to break
Sitting by the AC in the Ethiopian place
Best case scenario looking at 8-8
Look out the window errything changed
Nostalgia Apartheid era street names
Now you got skin in the game
Sold it till it sold out
(sold it 'till it sold out)
Sold it till it sold out
(sold it 'till it sold out)
Sold it till it sold out
In the song "Washington Redskins" by Billy Woods, the lyrics depict a complex commentary on race, sports, and the socio-political climate of Washington, D.C. The opening line, "They love they skins negroes and white men," immediately sets the tone for the exploration of the intersection between race and sports fandom. The references to the Washington Redskins, the controversial name of the city's football team, highlight the racial tension and division surrounding the team's name and the underlying history of racism in America.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of betrayal and assumptions. Lines like "Agree he can jump out the gym / Out on a limb if you assuming we're friends / Assume nothing, be better off in the end" suggest that trusting assumptions based on race or superficial commonalities can lead to disappointment and misunderestanding. The mention of Harpers Ferry and the Potomac River allude to historical events and locations that bear significance in African American history, connecting the struggles of the past with the present.
The second part of the song delves into personal experiences, touching on themes of urban decay, nostalgia, and the dangers faced in the neighborhood. The references to RFK Stadium and the counter-trey play demonstrate a familiarity with the local sports culture. The phrase "Now you got skin in the game" can be read as a double entendre, referencing both sports betting and the racial dynamics portrayed in the earlier part of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
They love they skins negroes and white men
People of all races love the Washington Redskins football team
Agree he can jump out the gym
Everyone agrees that the team's player is incredibly athletic
Out on a limb if you assuming we're friends
You're taking a risk if you assume we have a close relationship
Assume nothing, be better off in the end
It's best not to make assumptions and avoid potential problems
Buried where the Potomac bend
Buried near the bend in the Potomac River
Harpers Ferry tides blood rimmed
The tides of Harpers Ferry are stained with blood
Fight for Old DC, write tight eulogy
We passionately defend and honor Washington, D.C. and our team
Houses underwater in PG and what rough beast
Houses are submerged in Prince George's County due to flooding, evoking chaos and calamity
Slouches towards Northeast to be born
A sinister force is approaching the Northeast region, ready to emerge
The Quickening
A time of rapid and intense change
From podiums, madmen heap scorn
Crazy individuals publicly criticize and mock
Wild-eyed bickering
People arguing fervently and chaotically
The best lack all conviction
Even the most talented lack confidence and certainty
The worst claim: 'it was written'
The least competent insist that everything is predetermined
Judge said, 'nigga, listen'
The judge scolded, 'listen carefully'
Then it was off to debtor's prison
Sentenced to prison for unpaid debts
Still caught the game, dayroom television
Still managed to watch the game while in prison, using the communal television
Blood feud, crude weapon, water drawn
A long-standing conflict, primitive weapons, and tension rising
Wood hewed
Cutting wood, symbolizing hard work and labor
No new news, sky bruised, sour amuse bouche
Nothing new happening, dark and ominous sky, an unpleasant appetizer
Dour delta blues, blunt-stained tooth
Melancholic music from the Mississippi Delta, teeth discolored from smoking marijuana
Sold it 'till it sold out sold the house
Sold merchandise until it was completely sold out, even selling one's own residence
Soul long since sold so it's no doubt
Lost one's integrity and values long ago, there's no question about it
Homemade fade, Starter blue and maize
Self-done haircut, wearing a Starter brand outfit in blue and yellow
Shirt had a Bart Simpson phrase
The shirt had a phrase or image related to Bart Simpson
Copped weight outside RFK
Acquired illegal drugs near RFK Stadium
Run off blocks like the counter-trey
Quickly escaping dangerous areas, evading trouble
Still, where there's a will, there's a way
Despite challenges, determination will find a solution
Time capsule, raw pepper spray haze
A moment frozen in time, lingering effects of tear gas in the air
One way or another, all debts get paid
Eventually, all debts will be settled
Told the brother, all bullets is strays
Warned a friend that bullets often hit unintended targets
Silver Spring Metro, waitin' on that Y8
Waiting at Silver Spring Metro station for the train labeled Y8
Sippin' petrol
Drinking gasoline, perhaps metaphorically representing desperation or recklessness
Waitin' for that heat to break
Awaiting relief from hot weather or a tense situation
Sitting by the AC in the Ethiopian place
Relaxing indoors at an Ethiopian eatery, enjoying the air conditioning
Best case scenario looking at 8-8
The most positive outcome would be a win-loss record of 8 wins and 8 losses
Look out the window errything changed
Things have drastically transformed when looking outside the window
Nostalgia Apartheid era street names
Streets named after the Apartheid era, evoking nostalgic memories
Now you got skin in the game
Now you are personally invested and involved
Sold it till it sold out
Continued selling until everything was completely gone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind