Staying underground for over two decades, Billy Woods has remained one of underground’s most interesting acts. After listening to the incredibly produced “Aethiopes,” he has been on my radar. It showed how significant an emcee he was, along with the album being a staple in the underground and Abstract Hip-Hop community. His latest project, “GOLLIWOG,” is his most grim work yet.
A Golliwog is a doll-like character known as a racist caricature of black people because of its appearance. They play a major role in this album, as Billy heavily reflects on racism, especially on the track “A Doll Fulla Pins,” with the “pins” being various injustices that affect African-Americans.
GOLLIWOG’s production is eerie and unsettling, particularly on the fifth track “Waterproof Mascara.” It’s the most disturbing song I’ve ever heard, with Preservation creating one of the most harrowing and bleak soundscapes. With only a woman’s cries, static crackles, and a ghostly chord featured on the song, which makes it the emotionally impactful song on this project.
With producers like ELUCID, Conductor Williams, Kenny Segal, The Alchemist, and El-P, it clarifies that GOLLIWOG is Billy Woods’ best-produced album to date. However, the weakest track, “Cold Sweat,” falls short—Ant from Atmosphere’s production is non-fitting due to its unfitting hi-hats and snares.
His abstract lyricism is nearly impossible to decipher. However, I can tell he’s speaking from his heart and soul. The track, “BLK ZMBY,” is deeply political, with Billy talking about corruption and explaining a “zombie epidemic” in Africa. I adored the track’s lyrics, especially its nod to “Zombie” by Fẹla and Afrika 70.
Other songs like the single “Misery” are a full-on reference to “Gas Drawls” by the iconic rapper MF DOOM, with the chorus “Re-up on bad dreams, bag up screams in fifties.” Billy’s lyrics showcase how he is one of the best emcees in the scene, since he isn’t afraid to talk about anything and everything.
The features on GOLLIWOG are fantastical, with nearly every feature reaching the same level as Billy himself. “BLK XMAS” features the upcoming rapper, Bruiser Wolf, and I can tell he’s improved since the last time I’ve heard him on Danny Brown’s “Quaranta,” with his spoken-word style of rapping flowing better with the song.
It also features ELUCID, in which he does an outstanding job with his rapping. My least favorite feature was Al.Divino, as he sounds like a rip-off Westside Gunn.
GOLLIWOG is my dearest Billy Woods’ album because of its haunting production and political lyrics. I believe Billy Woods was the best person for this album, and it wouldn’t work as well with nobody else. This project might become my favorite album of the year, and anybody who likes bleak albums will get a kick out of GOLLIWOG.
Comments