"Maps" is the highly anticipated second full-length collaboration between the enigmatic rapper billy woods and the innovative producer Kenny Segal, released on May 5, 2023, via Backwoodz Studioz. This 17-track album is a masterclass in experimental and alternative hip-hop, blending the raw, intricate lyricism of billy woods with Segal's lush, jazzy production.
Spanning just over 44 minutes, "Maps" is a journey through the streets of New York and beyond, touching on themes of introspection, humor, and the human condition. The album features a standout collaboration with Quelle Chris on "Soundcheck," adding another layer of depth to the project. From the opening track "Kenwood Speakers" to the closing "As the Crow Flies," billy woods delivers a relentless barrage of complex rhymes and wordplay, while Kenny Segal's production provides a rich, atmospheric backdrop.
Fans of billy woods' previous work, including his 2019 album "Hiding Places" with Segal, will find familiar elements here, but "Maps" carves out its own identity with its unique blend of conscious, jazzy, and abstract hip-hop. The album is a testament to the creative synergy between woods and Segal, offering a fresh and engaging listen for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
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