billy woods teams up with E L U C I D and Cavalier for the soul-stirring track “Lead Paint Test,” a haunting and emotionally dense single that easily earns a spot in the conversation for song of the year. As the final preview of woods’ upcoming solo album GOLLIWOG, dropping May 9, the track cements the project’s tone: cerebral, poignant, and unapologetically real. For fans of vivid, boundary-pushing storytelling in hip-hop, “Lead Paint Test” isn’t just a single—it’s an experience.
From the opening bars, the song paints a bleak and reflective picture. billy woods raps like someone unearthing long-buried truths, speaking on generational pain, environmental neglect, and the quiet violence of systemic oppression. His verses are raw and weighty, delivered with a measured cadence that demands your full attention. E L U C I D follows suit with a verse that’s both chaotic and meditative, using dense wordplay and vivid imagery to expand on the song’s themes. Cavalier adds an emotionally resonant final layer, weaving personal trauma and political critique into his tightly wound verse.
The production complements the subject matter perfectly. Somber and minimalistic, the beat allows the verses to breathe while adding an unsettling undercurrent to the entire track. The result is a sonic landscape that feels both intimate and expansive, pulling the listener into a world where every line hits like a heavy truth.
As woods prepares to release GOLLIWOG, “Lead Paint Test” shows that the album is poised to be one of the most compelling statements in underground rap this year. If this track is any indication, billy woods is once again proving that he’s not just one of the best writers in hip-hop—he’s one of the best, period.
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