Backwoodz Studioz

There are not many record labels that I will listen to every single release. Maybe YOUNG. I will however listen to everything from Backwoodz Studioz.

Backwoodz Studioz is a label started by the amazing billy woods. Not only is woods is one of my favourite artists, he is an expert curator, the label produces amazing records over and over. The output of Backwoodz has been particularly incredible over the last year-ish. I humbly offer a selection of my favourites, many of these albums appeared on my Best of 2025 list.

Armand Hammer – Mercy

Armand Hammer is billy woods and E L U C I D. The best doing it right now.

"What's the role of a poet in times like these?" a companion asks woods at the beginning of his verse on Dogeared. Mercy is packed with thoughtful rhyminations from E L U C I D and billy woods on our current times. Colonizers, landlords, memory, meaning, and living inside a game you cannot win.

At the end of Dogeared, woods is questioned by his companion again and answers "I'm still grappling." On Mercy, Armand Hammer float in the pocket of sparse Alchemist beats reminding us the role of a poet in these times, even if it's impossible to concisely articulate to a friend.

Preservation & Gabe 'Nandez present Sortilège

I have loved Preservation's production since Aethiopes and Eastern Medicine, Western Illness. The sounds! The vibe! This turn with Gabe 'Nandez's biting rhymes is one of the best of 2025.

billy woods – G•lliw•g

This is one of billy woods' many masterpieces. Not an easy listen at all, dense and brilliant. Packed with innovative production from a bunch of collaborators and woods at his full power. Each physical release has a different bonus track. And on Halloween a remix and bonus track album, August Fanon & billy woods – GOWILLOG, was dropped. Also incredible and not on streaming services.

HUMAN ERROR CLUB at Kenny's House

One of the things I love about woods' curation of artists is that he doesn't stick strictly to hip-hop. He's open to working with other genres and has some very surprising collabs in his discography. HUMAN ERROR CLUB are an experimental jazz group from L.A. working with legendary producer Kenny Segal.

A short HUMAN ERROR CLUB film was released on Christmas that's a little peek into the making of the record:

https://youtu.be/mGz4uUHP5LM?si=HSFplRQbtgtdhL4B

Premrock – Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?

This probably should have been on my Best of 2025 list. 😬 One of my favourites of 2025.

K-the-i??? & Kenny Segal - Genuine Dexterity

This album didn't get enough attention in 2024. K-the-i??? is a giant in underground hip hop paired with Kenny's amazing production. This came out at the end of 2024 so it missed the best of 2024 lists. One of the most interesting listens of 2024. Great features. Great lyrics. Great beats. A special and unique record that flew under the radar.

SP