Merlyn Wood

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Merlyn Wood
Wood performing in 2018 in Quebec City
Wood performing in 2018 in Quebec City
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Anku Kraka Mawuli Andoh Wood Jr.
Born (1996-05-01) May 1, 1996 (age 27)
Accra, Ghana
GenresRap
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2012-present
Formerly of

William Anku Kraka Mawuli Andoh Wood Jr.[2] (born May 1, 1996), known by his stage name Merlyn Wood, is a Ghanaian-American rapper and songwriter. Born in Accra and raised in Texas, Wood is best known for his work as a member of hip-hop collective and boyband Brockhampton, with whom he released eight studio albums from 2012 to 2022.[3] During his time with Brockhampton, Wood was recognized as the groups hype man, with his verses being noted for their energy and Ghanaian accent.[4][5][6][7]

Early life[edit]

Wood was born in Accra and raised in Austin, Texas. Wood credits his Ghanaian ancestry as influencing his musical style.[2] In the 7th grade, Wood was sent by his parents to a boarding school in Ghana, where he developed a passion for music. While a student of The Woodlands High School, Wood met future bandmates Kevin Abstract, Matt Champion, Ameer Vann, and Russell "Joba" Boring.[8] Prior to joining Brockhampton full time, Wood was studying architecture at the University of Texas, which he dropped out from twice.[9] After realizing he could not feasibly pass one of his classes, he decided to relocate to Los Angeles with the rest of the band.[8]

Wood derived his stage name, Merlyn, from the mythical figure Merlin, as he admired the character's success despite his eccentricity.[2]

Career[edit]

2012-2022: Brockhampton[edit]

Main article: Brockhampton (band)

Wood joined San Marcos, Texas based hip-hop group AliveSinceForever in 2012, while developing his solo career. On June 30, 2015, Wood released his debut single "Fye".[10] In September 2016, it was followed by "Cul de Sac".[11]

When AliveSinceForever reformed as Brockhampton in 2014, Wood remained part of the group, and was a key member during the recording of the groups critically acclaimed 2017 album trilogy Saturation, Saturation II, and Saturation III.[12][13][14] After signing to RCA Records and removing Ameer Vann from the group amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, Brockhampton released their fourth studio album, Iridescence, in September 2018. Iridescence debuted atop the Billboard charts and was followed by Ginger and Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine in 2019 and 2021, respectively.[15][16][17][18]

In a 2021 interview for Apple Music, Brockhampton revealed that between the release of Ginger and Roadrunner, work had begun on a Merlyn Wood solo album in collaboration with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, although the project was never released.[19]

Later in 2021, Wood released the single "S.Y.K" alongside producer Connie, his first solo release since the release of Saturation in 2017.[20]

Following the cancellation of the groups "Here Right Now" tour on January 14, 2022, Brockhampton's final studio albums, The Family and TM were released on November 17 and 18, respectively.[21][22][23]

2022-present: Solo work[edit]

"Green Light", another collaboration with Connie, was released on May 31, 2022, as Wood's first single following Brockhampton's dissolution.[24] It was followed by "One of Us" on September 5.[24]

In April 2023, Wood was a featured artist on Dreamer Isioma's sophomore album Princess Forever.[25] In June, he released the collaborative single "Formula" with Dumb Buoys Fishing Club and Joe Unknown, off of the former's debut album Wrecked.[26] Wood was also featured on "Skeleton Town", on the same record.[27]

Wood released his debut solo EP Dirty Thunder on October 6, 2023.[28][29] Shortly afterwards, Slime In The Ice Machine, a collaborative album with former Brockhampton member Ameer Vann, was released on October 27.[30][31] In December of that year, Wood was featured on Dark Songs To Drive To, by Montreal rapper Nate Husser.[32]

Discography[edit]

Collaborative albums[edit]

List of collaborative studio albums
Title Album details
Slime In The Ice Machine

(with Ameer Vann)

  • Released: October 27, 2023
  • Label: Blacksmith Recordings
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Extended plays[edit]

Title Album details
Dirty Thunder
  • Released: October 6, 2023
  • Label: Don't Be Greedy
  • Formats: Streaming, digital download

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

Title Year Album
"Fye" 2015 Non-album singles
"Culdesac" 2016
"Forget Me Not" 2017
"S.Y.K"

(with Connie)

2021
"Green Light" 2022
"One of Us"
"Blackout" 2023 Dirty Thunder
"Mazza"

(feat. Adetola)

As featured artist[edit]

Title Year Other performer(s)
"Breath" 2017 Reverse
"Get Out" 2022 Nate Husser
"Chains" 2022 Gidi, SoGone SoFlexy
"I Got The Love" 2023 Tommy Richman, Nate Dae

Guest appearances[edit]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other performer(s) Album
"Show You Off" (Remix) 2021 Michael Kirby The Lion Inside You
"Get Out" 2022 Nate Husser All Time High
"Touch Your Soul" 2023 Dreamer Isioma Princess Forever
"Formula" Dumb Buoys Fishing Club, Joe Unknown Wrecked
"Skeleton Town" Dumb Buoys Fishing Club, Qhairo
"Up The Pipe" Nate Husser Dark Songs To Drive To

Filmography[edit]

Year Title
Role Medium
2015 Dreams Die Young Himself Short Series
2016 All-American Trash Documentary Documentary
2017 American Boyband Documentary Series
Jennifer's Tour, A Live Show By Brockhampton
Billy Star "South Central" Crew Short Film
Saturation Himself Documentary
2018 Love Your Parents Tour Documentary Series
The Longest Summer In America Documentary
2019 Keeping The Band Himself (fictionalized depiction) Series

Music videos[edit]

List of music videos as Merlyn Wood
Title Year Album(s) Director(s)
"S.Y.K" 2021 — Connie, WellKnownStudios
"Green Light" 2022 Miggy
"One of Us" Sean Russo
"Mazza"

(feat. Adetola)

2023 Dirty Thunder Evijan John

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nast, Condé (2019-10-03). "The Oral History of Brockhampton... as Told by Brockhampton". GQ. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  2. ^ a b c "Merlyn Wood - Audible Treats". 2022-12-05. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  3. ^ Cubit, Brea (2019-11-06). "Merlyn Wood, 23". POPSUGAR Celebrity UK. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  4. ^ "A look at BROCKHAMPTON, a hip-hop anti-collective All-American Boyband". 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  5. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON: ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  6. ^ Rick, Vince (2018-08-12). "Each Brockhampton Member's Best Verse". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  7. ^ "Fast-rising 13-member crew Brockhampton is unlike anything you've seen or heard - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  8. ^ a b "Get To Know The Members Of Brockhampton, A New Kind Of American Boy Band". The FADER. 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ In-Studio Concert Series: Brockhampton Perform + Talk New Album & Removing A Group Member. Retrieved 2024-04-03 – via www.youtube.com.
  10. ^ Tanners, Jon. "Premiere: Merlyn Wood - "Fye"". Complex. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  11. ^ Dazed (2016-09-05). "Hear an emotional new song from Brockhampton's Merlyn Wood". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  12. ^ Bradley, Brent (2018-02-12). "BROCKHAMPTON 'Saturation' Cheat Code Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  13. ^ SATURATION II by BROCKHAMPTON on Apple Music, 2017-08-25, retrieved 2024-03-10
  14. ^ "Brockhampton announces "last studio album," shares release date". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  15. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Kick Out Ameer Vann Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations". Pitchfork. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  16. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON's New Album Out in September". Pitchfork. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  17. ^ "Brockhampton Announce New Album 'Ginger' Out In August". Stereogum. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  18. ^ "ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE by BROCKHAMPTON". Apple Music. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  19. ^ BROCKHAMPTON: 'ROADRUNNER,' Meeting A$AP Rocky, and Message Behind their Lyrics | Apple Music. Retrieved 2024-04-03 – via www.youtube.com.
  20. ^ Legaspi, Althea (2021-11-11). "Brockhampton's Merlyn Wood Branches Out With New Song 'S.Y.K.'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  21. ^ Mier, Tomás (2022-01-14). "Brockhampton Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' Following Coachella Performance, Cancel Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  22. ^ "BROCKHAMPTON Drop Final Album The Family: Stream". 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  23. ^ Curto, Justin (2022-11-18). "Brockhampton Isn't Quite Ready to Say Good-bye". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  24. ^ a b "BROCKHAMPTON's Merlyn Wood returns with "GREEN LIGHT"". The FADER. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  25. ^ "Dreamer Isioma Announces Sophomore Album 'Princess Forever,' Shares 2 Hypnotic New Tracks". Hypebeast. 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  26. ^ "Alongside Merlyn and joe unknown, Dumb Buoys Fishing Club raise anchor on "FORMULA" | Tracks". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  27. ^ "Dumb Buoys Fishing Club: Wrecked review - explosive alt-pop duo strike gold | Dumb Buoys Fishing Club". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  28. ^ "Kevin Abstract Announces First Solo Album Since Brockhampton's Indefinite Hiatus". Pitchfork. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  29. ^ Dirty Thunder - EP by Merlyn Wood on Apple Music, 2023-10-06, retrieved 2024-04-04
  30. ^ Rampertab, Lilith (2024-03-25). "'Mika's Laundry:' Matt Champion of BROCKHAMPTON is a lover, not a fighter". The Daily Campus. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  31. ^ Slime In the Ice Machine by Ameer Vann Merlyn Wood, Merlyn Wood & Ameer Vann on Apple Music, 2023-10-27, retrieved 2024-04-04
  32. ^ MacIntyre, Dave (2023-12-27). "Montreal rapper Nate Husser on life in L.A. and his latest album Dark Songs to Drive To". Cult MTL. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
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