Billy Woods, an American rapper and founder of the independent label Backwoodz Studioz, has made a significant impact on the underground hip-hop scene. Born in Washington, D.C., between 1977 and 1979, Woods' early life was shaped by a rich cultural background. His mother, an English literature professor from Jamaica, and his father, a Marxist writer involved in the Zimbabwe War of Liberation, heavily influenced his worldview. In 1980, his family moved to Zimbabwe, where they lived until the death of his father, prompting their return to the U.S. in 1989.

After briefly attending Howard University, Woods began making music in the late 1990s and launched his career with the formation of Backwoodz Studioz in 2003. His debut album, Camouflage, was released that same year, marking the beginning of his prolific career. During the early years, Woods worked closely with Vordul Mega from Cannibal Ox and released a series of albums as part of the duo Super Chron Flight Brothers.

Woods' breakthrough came in 2012 with History Will Absolve Me, an album that revitalized his career. Initially intended to be his final release, it received widespread acclaim, establishing him as a significant figure in the underground rap scene. Following this, he continued to release solo work and collaborative projects, including Dour Candy (2013), Known Unknowns (2017), and Hiding Places (2019), a collaboration with producer Kenny Segal.

In 2020, Woods released Brass, a project with Moor Mother, followed by two albums in 2022: Aethiopes and Church. In 2023, he reunited with Kenny Segal for their second collaborative album, Maps. Known for his thought-provoking lyricism and obscured public image, Billy Woods has built a reputation for blending introspective themes with experimental production, becoming a mainstay in alternative hip-hop. His discography spans over two decades, reflecting his evolution as an artist and his contribution to the genre.