GOLLIWOG: An Exploration of Death and Time in billy woods’ New Album

Thematic Overview

Scattered throughout GOLLIWOG, billy woods’ latest album, are haunting images that depict death unfolding in slow motion. In the opening track, he observes "morose villagers queue in the sun" for vaccines, and later, a still-living fly trapped in an upturned pint glass gazes out at the world. The imagery is unsettling, as a drone hums "real low/no rush/real slow," and a man prays fervently as the fuselage of his shaking plane rattles around him. The album is rich with cultural references, including CIA agents surrounding Frantz Fanon’s hospital bed and doctors examining X-ray transparencies with slight frowns.

A Return to Childhood Inspirations

GOLLIWOG follows 2023’s Maps, where woods chronicled his rise as a sought-after musician. Here, he revisits a childhood story featuring an evil version of the titular doll, which he quips his mother once deemed “derivative.” The album comprises a series of interconnected parables, blending narratives that evoke time travel and terror across various decades and global contexts.

Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with billy woods

I had the opportunity to speak with woods shortly after his return to Brooklyn from London. Despite his busy schedule juggling multiple projects, including promoting new releases from his Backwoodz Studioz label and collaborating with Elucid as part of Armand Hammer, he was eager to discuss his latest work.

Crafting Self-Contained Stories

Interviewer: You’ve often mentioned setting different constraints for each album. What was your approach for GOLLIWOG?

billy woods: For this album, I aimed for each song to be self-contained. I drew inspiration from childhood reads like Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, and even films like Creepshow and Cat’s Eye. I wanted to create distinct stories that fit within a shared universe, resolving internally rather than weaving a continuous narrative like in Maps.

Short Stories vs. Novels

Interviewer: If I were unfamiliar with your work and received a press email about this album, I might expect a grand narrative akin to Deltron 3030.

billy woods: Initially, I considered having the golliwog featured more prominently throughout the songs, similar to the cat in Cat’s Eye. However, it ended up being more like a collection of short stories rather than a unified novel, as Maps was.

Thematic Continuity and Playfulness

Elements of Fairy Tales and Children’s Literature

The album’s relationship to earlier works, such as Hiding Places, exists in its whimsical use of language and narrative style. Woods often incorporates amusing phrases and jargon into his verses. In GOLLIWOG, elements reminiscent of children’s storybooks emerge more prominently.

Revisiting Past Ideas

billy woods: After finishing the album, I realized that tracks from earlier records, like “Bedtime” from Hiding Places or “Christine” from Aethiopes, could have seamlessly fit into GOLLIWOG. Themes I’ve explored before often manifest in my work, but this album encapsulates them.

The Creative Process: Writing and Recording

A Shift in Working Style

Interviewer: Did you primarily work on this album in New York, as opposed to Maps? How long did it take?

billy woods: Initially, I planned to take my time, aiming to work on one song a month. It was my first album involving multiple producers in a long time, so I felt more freedom to explore creatively. I was juggling other projects, but recording for GOLLIWOG was mostly done at home.

Early Inspirations and Wordplay

Interviewer: What’s your earliest memory of the golliwog?

billy woods: I sometimes jot down ideas, much like I did for Aethiopes. I stumbled upon an old story I wrote as a child, which my mother has kept. She suggested I revisit it, but I haven’t yet. It’s about finding the right words and phrases that resonate with me.

Evolution of Style and Delivery

Progression as an Artist

As I revisit earlier works like Camouflage and The Chalice, I notice a shift in your style. You’ve become less conventional as a rapper, showcasing more intricate rhythms and cadences.

billy woods: I’m always striving to improve and push my boundaries. Collaborating with top artists in the genre helps me evolve my style. I believe the flows and techniques I use now are more refined than in the past, while still respecting the energy of older works.

Blending Oral and Written Traditions

On tracks like “BLK XMAS,” there’s a fascinating interplay between your conversational delivery and literary lines, such as “A light drizzle drove me back inside the house.”

billy woods: I aim to blend those elements. When working on multiple-producer projects, I have the opportunity to explore various styles and sounds, which ultimately enriches the final product.

Conclusion

GOLLIWOG stands as a testament to billy woods’ artistic evolution, combining self-contained narratives with rich imagery and varied musical styles. The album not only reflects his childhood inspirations but also showcases his growth as a rapper and storyteller. As he continues to push boundaries, listeners can anticipate a unique experience woven through themes of time, death, and cultural references.

FAQs

What is the main theme of GOLLIWOG?

GOLLIWOG explores themes of death and time through self-contained narratives that intertwine cultural references and personal reflections.

How does this album differ from Maps?

While Maps serves as a travelogue following woods’ experiences as a musician, GOLLIWOG is structured more like a collection of short stories, each with its own internal resolution.

What inspired billy woods to write about the golliwog?

Woods revisited a childhood story he wrote about an evil golliwog, which sparked the thematic development of the album.

How did the collaborative process influence GOLLIWOG?

Working with multiple producers allowed woods to experiment with different sounds and styles, providing a broader creative canvas compared to previous single-producer projects.

Can we expect more collaborations from billy woods in the future?

Yes, woods is continuously collaborating with various artists, including ongoing projects with Elucid as part of Armand Hammer and others from his Backwoodz Studioz label.