If you’re not familiar with the artist I’m about to talk about, now would be a great time to acquaint yourself with the ever-so-dope Billy Woods. The DC, by way of NY, MC is one of those guys that are rather difficult to put in a box. His career has been devoted to releasing eccentric hip hop based deeply in experimentation, but his overall sound is hard to nail down with words. He’s got an impressive back catalog consisting of two solo albums, Camouflage and The Chalice, as well as three collaboration albums with Privilege as Super Chron Flight Brothers. Back catalog out of the way, let’s talk about his latest masterpiece entitled, History Will Absolve Me.
I’ll start by saying that, right off the bat, I felt these were some of the best beats that Billy Woods has gone over. I did feel that him and Bond made a dope combination on Camouflage, but I think Woods was put on this Earth to rhyme over these types of beats. From the second Crocodile Tears came in, I was blown away. The production is, for the most part, dark, gritty and grimy, but what you’ll also notice is the beats have that sound that harks back to albums like Cold Vein, Fantastic Damage or The Other Side Of The Looking Glass. Most of all, the production (and album overall) reminded me a lot of Masai Bey and BMS’s 2007 collaboration album, C87. (If you don’t have that album already, pick it up.)
His stream-of-consciousness style hasn’t skipped a beat in the eight years since his last solo record. He’s still extremely nice with the pen, writing lines that actually force the listener to think rather than simply sit back and tune the MC out. With lines like “Pen game equivalent to Thomas Paine/ Pen name the ambivalent Mark Twain/ Intelligent Gucci Mane” you can tell that Woods is no novice when it comes to lyrics.
Woods has a slightly more serious approach to his lyrics on this release tackling issues like failed relationships (Blue Dream), hit-and-run throwaway rappers (Duckhunt) and he even talks about piracy and the music industry on DMCA. He compares illegal downloaders to “considerate rapists” and then reduces the reason America was founded down to the simple idea that white people didn’t want to pay taxes on tea. After which he gives his opinion on paying for samples with the line “when I take your shit that’s the American way.” This dude is a monster.
As far as accessibility, I think of Billy Woods as the Jandek of hip hop. He’s rather elusive, he doesn’t do a lot of interviews and very little is known about him. He also doesn’t do much with social media so you’ll never see him tweeting about what he had for dinner or giving his opinions on the latest Kim Kardashian drama. His most obvious resemblance to Jandek would be how some find his style either pure genius or absolutely terrible. He has a disjointed rhyme style that sounds offbeat while totally being on beat (it’ll make sense when you listen to it). His sound isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for me.
Overall, I think History Will Absolve Me is a top-notch addition to Billy Woods’s already impressive catalog. So far, it’s actually my favorite release of his and, to be honest, I can already see this album being a strong contender for my top five albums of the year. If you’re truly missing the days when indie rap was strong, challenging and rebellious get this album. If you want something to take you back to the days of Rawkus, Anticon and Def Jux, get this album. If you’re in the mood for truly original hip hop with beats and rhymes that are dope while being unconventional, get this album.
Some standout tracks were Crocodile Tears, Body of Work (even though, as much as I like Roc Marciano, he didn’t sound great on that beat), Freedman’s Bureau featuring Elucid, Headband and Dunk Hunt (which you can check out above).
“I’ll Delonte West your old earth and still keep is discreet. Dude, your whole style is wash, rinse, repeat.”
Last minute edit: I feel the beats on this album are so dope that the producers definitely need their credit. The production handled mostly by Willie Green and Marmaduke, but the album also has beats from A.M. Breakups, Man Mantis and Essex Dogs.
This IS my favorite album out so far this year! I’m really putting it above A LOT of GREAT work from AMAZING artists. But my i-pod doesn’t lie, and HWAM has given very limited ear-time to anything else. The Man Who Would be King, although off Deleted Scenes, fits in nicely here and is definately remains a disgustingly sweet track! As far as favorite tracks go, i can’t even comment without listing practically the whole album! Which is why i hold this album in such high a regard. It’s a piece of hip-hop gold, from start to finish! I was excited about this album when i heard about it, but i had no idea that i would be this impressed! Billy has some amazing work under his belt. This album doesn’t need to give him any credibility. But it does show a seasoned vet, not holding back for a second, flexxing his skillz as a solo artist and delivering yet another masterpiece. In my opinion, this is his best work so far, and he is not going anywhere anytime soon. Much love to Mr. Woods, the Backwoodz Studioz Crew, and every artist who contributed to this album!!!
this review seems more on track then most I have read on this album. It took me awhile to realize the genius of Billy Woods on The Chalice and other albums but when the recent best of mixtape was released it started to hit me.
THIS though is on a whole other level. This album is miles ahead of lots of rap right now.
There is NOTHING cornball in this but rappers like Woods and all of his guests dont really seem to get into cornball records or gimmicky approaches. He is a man with a million thoughts.
Woods gets written off as a political rapper and it is bullshit its like the same people who say that Vordul Mega is repetetive or that Bigg Jus is just a political rapper give me a break. Why is Roc Marciano on the album then. Billy Woods talks about SO many things on this album it is genius and requires multiplerotations to pick up everything that is going on.
Also I am glad someone mentioned how goos the beats are.
This album is OVERLOOKED and needs to be heard
I Never knew about that One too!
Thanks!
The only project I don’t like As much as The others is The Reavers album “Terror Firma”
But that could’ve been incredible..
I mean MIC, Backwoodz and Killarmy?!
When talking about Woods’ back catalogue you forgot to mention a double disc album he did with privilege over production from Dr Monokrome. Woods was on one disc under the moniker MAD and privilege was on the other disc titled NPR. The album was sold as a Dr. Monokrome album titled “All things considered that was a long time ago”. Woods’ disc is an obvious follow up to his first to solo albums as any Woods fan will recognize the beat on the song “bloody diamonds”. His lyrics are as good on this album as either of his 2 solo projects, and the beats payed down by Dr Monokrome are as unique as any I’ve heard on other Woods albums. It’s real tough to find but after scouring amazon for long enough I was able to pick up a used copy. Well worth the 40+ premium price I coughed up to get my hands on it. Definitely worth checking out too!
I didn’t forget about that album…I never knew about it! Thanks a lot, man! I just found it on CD Baby for $12 so I think I’ll pick it up. I appreciate the info, for real.
Nice write up. Taking your advice, I’m going through his back catalog now. I finished Camouflage and working on Super Chron Flight Brothers now.
That Gucci line was dope. You hit the nail on the head when you said you have to concentrate on what he’s saying. This is definitely no Wiz Khalifa rap at all. He definitely has a rather on/off unorthodox style to him and it takes a bit of getting used to for me on first listen but I like his overall style. It all seems like a big movie or message that he is weaving into his albums.
I also love the album covers chosen for the projects too.
Oh and I haven’t heard that Masai Bey & BMS collabo album! Shame on me!
Masai’s solo album is fucking great
“From the second Crocodile Tears came in, I was blown away”
co-sign.
I’ve never heard such a rock-a-like beat yet being pure hip hop!
Great that you mentioned the earl grey line.
I don’t know if I like it more than Camouflage because I love the dark, depressive atmosphere on it
but I also love the crazy wild beats on HWAM.
Favorites: The Wake, The Darkness, Human Resources, Crocodile Tear, Pompeli
PS. It’s funny that my fav’s are “The Wake” with that smooth beat and The Darkness with that Camouflage a-like beat.
But I also love the crazy production on it 🙂