Blockhead is a producer known for his solo work as well as beats for rappers like Aesop Rock and Murs. Billy Woods is a rapper originally from DC, based out of New York who caught a minor buzz as one half of the stoner indie-rap duo Super Chron Flight Brothers. Vice’s Noisey did a write-up and a brief “interview” (not really) in preparation for their upcoming collaboration album, Dour Candy. Read the whole thing here, with excerpts below.
Zachary Lipez-” Billy is an incredibly fascinating and expansive guy. His lyrics jump from romance-gone-noir levels of bad to post-colonial Africa in one song, often within one bar, so talking to him is a lot like that; a whirlwind of references. Blockhead just leaned back and watched, clearly enjoying himself and occasionally interjecting with basketball references that I didn’t understand but that made Woods laugh. I played with my silverware any time they went in on the various intricacies of mid-90s second string Knicks. The two of them, though they’ve really only become friends over the recording of their record, have an easy rapport. This probably comes from the collaboration coming out of a mutual appreciation, rather than any long-standing scene association. Blockhead heard one of Woods’ mixtapes and then, around the time of Body of Work, reached out to him. Woods, already a fan of Block’s work both solo and with Aesop Rock, readily agreed.
Neither come from musical families. Billy Woods’ dad was in the new Zimbabwe government under Mugabe (a young version of whom appears on the cover of History Will Absolve Me), and Blockhead’s dad was the sculptor Sidney Simon. They both started making music in the mid/late-90s; Blockhead starting to make beats around ’96, and Woods, bringing his notebook to the parking lot while working (i.e. hustling) his way through college, started writing rhymes a bit later. They both were separately egged-on by various and sundry personages from the indie rap/Def Jux community.”
