Though you may not be super familiar with Jamila Woods’ name, chances are you’ve heard her voice. The singer/songwriter/poet/activist has appeared on tracks like Macklemore’s “White Privledge II,” as well as Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment’s "Sunday Candy.” This month, Woods will prove she can do more than steer an infectious hook, as she will release her debut solo project titled Heavn.
We got our first taste of the album when Woods presented “Blk Girl Solider” in early June. Now, less than week from Heavn’s drop date, she returns with another track called “LSD,” which finds her reuniting with fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper.
The two first linked up in 2012, when Chance was featured on “Lift Up,” a song by Wood’s now defunct band called M&O. More recently, they collaborated on the Coloring Book gospel track “Blessings,” which was performed on shows like Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The duo’s chemistry is undeniable, and Woods’ silky smooth voice is complimented well by Chance’s effortless flow.
And, no, the track is not about psychedelic drugs. LSD stands for Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive.
“When I was a kid, getting on Lake Shore Drive from the south side to go downtown was magical. I lived on the east coast for a few years and people would laugh when I told them we have beaches and a lake we can swim in. I always wanted to write about that,” Woods said in a press release. “A lot of people get Chicago wrong. I've developed this protective feeling about how we're portrayed, and at the same time I'm acutely aware of the issues we face and the root causes of these issues. It's important to me that there's not just one story told about our city. ‘LSD’ is an ode to Chicago, a song for the complicated love I have for my city.”
Heavn will drop July 11. Until then, you can listen to the Odd Couple-produced “LSD” below as well as check out the tracklist.
