When you have a catalog as deep and renowned as billy woods, finding a way to top your past work can be a difficult thing. But as has been the case with woods for many years now… the man did it again.

It’s not like woods has reinvented himself on this latest album. His wry wit, sharp storytelling, and great ear for production are still present on this record. But now these elements are funnelled through an ambitious horror-themed experience shrouded in darkness, ripe with poignant political insight and introspection. All culminating in an album that has an argument for being the best of woods’ storied career.

In today’s episode, woods provides colour to the inspiration for his new album, the horror influence, his take on being viewed as an abstract artist, pivotal moments of the album, and much more.

woods is one of the most fascinating people to talk to on many subjects, such as music, politics, and sports. So listening to this episode is a no-brainer. Make sure you lock in and get a glimpse into the mind of a living legend.

The Plug (1:10).

The Interview (2:58).

Being perceived by an increasingly large audience with different life experiences (3:18).

How the idea and album title came to be (9:16).

woods’ upbringing, and re-evaluating political perspectives of the past (11:21).

Afro-pessimism and the humanity found in woods’ music (27:06).

The unique methodology used to woods’ new album (34:34).

What horror unlocks for woods as a writer (37:05).

“Maquiladoras” and the meaning behind the concept of ‘amputation’ (49:08).

The picture painted by “Dislocated” and why it was chosen as the final track (54:50).

woods’ perspective on his music being labelled ‘abstract’ (1:00:45).

The power of storytelling (1:08:26).

Cultivating the horror surrealist atmosphere on the production / Marshawn Lynch vs. Shaun Alexander - RMPP patron q from Shaun Alexander (1:010:05).

The importance of Willie Green to the creative process of the new album (1:19:10).

woods’ trademark sports bars, Knicks playoff hopes, mobile QBs (1:21:45).

woods’ upcoming book - RMPP patron q from Cian Walker and Joshua Davis (1:26:15).

Upcoming Armand Hammer album, E L U C I D solo, and other Backwoodz work in 2025 (1:27:27).

Support Backwoodz Studioz here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/

Buy GOLLIWOG here: https://backwoodzstudioz.com/collections/billy-woods-golliwog

Follow billy woods on Twitter here: https://x.com/BackwoodzHipHop

Follow Backwoodz Studioz on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/backwoodzstudioz/?hl=en

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Today’s guest, Fly Anakin, is no stranger to delivering albums that leave a distinct imprint on the listener. As seen on past records like Frank that envelop you in dusty old soul records and introspection, and FlySiifu’s that welcomed you into this record shop concept with two homies who enjoy trading bars over some sick jazz rap instrumentals.

But on his latest album, (The) Forever Dream, Fly Anakin takes a noticeably different approach. Opting not to follow a distinct concept or theme, Frank traded pre-meditated forethought for a more free-wheeling approach, allowing for the album to reveal itself through fun studio sessions with the album’s executive producer, Detroit legend Quelle Chris.

The results of this approach were terrific, as this new album sees Fly Anakin operate with so much freedom, embracing new sounds and collaborators, resulting in an incredibly loose and dynamic album that manages to push all the right buttons, balancing spontaneity with expertly crafted cohesion.

In this episode, we dive into how Frank's relationship with Quelle was formed, the effortlessly natural collaborative process creating this new album, and much more!

The Plug (0:45).

The Interview (2:44).

Frank’s feelings towards the release of (The) Forever Dream (4:58).

Frank touring with his partner, bbymutha (7:09).

The formation of Fly Anakin and Quelle Chris’ relationship (11:48).

What makes Quelle special as an artist and collaborator (16:50).

How Quelle and Fly Anakin are ‘opposites’ (22:27).

Creative decision-making responsibilities between Fly Anakin and Quelle (24:13).

The musical direction of (The) Forever Dream (26:30).

Fly Anakin’s mindset when creating (The) Forever Dream (30:42).

The heartfelt and open nature of (The) Forever Dream (35:00).

Why Fly Anakin feels his latest album is his best (39:54).

The key collaborations on (The) Forever Dream (43:18).

The thinking behind Quelle executive producing (The) Forever Dream (45:22).

Upcoming projects / tour dates / merch, including a project with Real Bad Man (49:23).

Buy/stream (The) Forever Dream here: https://flyanakin.bandcamp.com/album/the-forever-dream

Follow Fly Anakin on Twitter here: https://x.com/flyanakin

Follow Fly Anakin on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/flyanakin/?hl=en

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com

Few artists epitomise the word, ‘prolific’, quite like today’s guest, Blu. Hailing from Los Angeles, this West Coast legend has truly done it all, delivering countless records that span the sounds of soulful boom bap, lo-fi, avant-garde electronic hip-hop, and more.

And in 2025, Blu is not letting up… expecting to drop another 3 albums this year. The first of which is titled, Forty, and is fully produced by the great August Fanon.

This new album dropped April 18th, and Blu joins me today to discuss the making of what he dubs his 'grown man' album, along with covering other key aspects of his legendary career, such as delving into experimental cutting-edge sounds, his strong lasting relationship with Exile, and much more.

Blu is a legend, listen to this episode… what more do you need me to say?!

The Plug (0:41).

The Interview (2:35).

The most essential Blu releases (3:54).

Blu’s approach to collaborating with producers (8:20).

How Blu maintains consistent creative inspiration (14:21).

Blu’s affinity to the lo-fi hip-hop sound (18:14).

Blu’s bold experimental risk-taking appetite (22:06).

Blu’s long-lasting relationship with Exile - RMPP patron q from Jorden (25:25).

The correct pronunciation of August Fanon’s name (29:29).

The lyrical focus of Forty (30:56).

How August Fanon and Blu built the sound for Forty (33:19).

The collaboration-heavy approach to Forty (40:35).

3-4 new projects to expect from Blu in 2025 (43:02).

Blu’s shift away from production in recent years (44:43).

Buy/stream Forty here: https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/forty

Follow Blu on Twitter here: https://x.com/HerFavColor

Follow Blu on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bluherfavcolor/?hl=en

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

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Fiending for some more quality rap content? Visit the RMPP website: https://rmpp.squarespace.com/

Want to support and help us grow? Become a RMPP Patron, and gain access to exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/therapmusicplugpodcast

Looking to connect? DM me @rapmusicplugpod on Twitter and Instagram, or shoot me an email at qlctv.podcast@gmail.com