Merlyn Wood
{{Short description|Ghanaian-American rapper (born 1996)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = FEQ July 2018 Brockhampton (4428738171) (cropped).png
| caption = Wood performing in 2018 in Quebec City
| birth_name = William Anku Kraka Mawuli Andoh Wood Jr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|05|01}}
| genre = Rap
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2012–present
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
- Brockhampton
- AliveSinceForever{{Cite web |date=2019-10-03 |title=The Oral History of Brockhampton... as Told by Brockhampton |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-oral-history-of-brockhampton |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}
}}}}
William Anku Kraka Mawuli Andoh Wood Jr. (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 2014 to 2022.{{Cite web |last=Cubit |first=Brea |date=2019-11-06 |title=Merlyn Wood, 23 |url=https://www.popsugar.co.uk/node/46863589 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=POPSUGAR Celebrity UK |language=en-GB}} During his time with Brockhampton, Wood was recognized as the group’s hype man, with his verses being noted for their energy and Ghanaian accent.{{Cite web |date=2017-11-14 |title=A look at BROCKHAMPTON, a hip-hop anti-collective All-American Boyband |url=https://stanforddaily.com/2017/11/14/a-look-at-brockhampton-a-hip-hop-anti-collective-all-american-boyband/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=BROCKHAMPTON: ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/brockhampton-roadrunner-new-light-new-machine/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rick |first=Vince |date=2018-08-12 |title=Each Brockhampton Member's Best Verse |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/115843-each-brockhampton-member-s-best-verse-news |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-12-05 |title=Fast-rising 13-member crew Brockhampton is unlike anything you've seen or heard - Las Vegas Weekly |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2018/dec/05/fast-rising-13-member-crew-brockhampton/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=lasvegasweekly.com}}
Early life
Wood was born in Accra and raised in Austin, Texas. Wood credits his Ghanaian ancestry as influencing his musical style.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-05 |title=Merlyn Wood - Audible Treats |url=https://audibletreats.com/merlyn-wood/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205072114/https://audibletreats.com/merlyn-wood/ |archive-date=2022-12-05 }} 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.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-12 |title=Get To Know The Members Of Brockhampton, A New Kind Of American Boy Band |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/13/brockhampton-members-kevin-abstract-interview-saturation |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}} Prior to joining Brockhampton full time, Wood was studying architecture at the University of Texas, which he dropped out from twice.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goQcG_kCzwc |title=In-Studio Concert Series: Brockhampton Perform + Talk New Album & Removing A Group Member |language=en |access-date=2024-04-03 |via=www.youtube.com}} After realizing he could not feasibly pass one of his classes, he decided to relocate to Los Angeles with the rest of the band.
Wood derived his stage name, Merlyn, from the mythical figure Merlin, as he admired the character's success despite his eccentricity.
Career
= 2012–2022: Brockhampton =
{{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".{{Cite web |last=Tanners |first=Jon |title=Premiere: Merlyn Wood - "Fye" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/jon-tanners/premiere-merlyn-wood-fye |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} In September 2016, it was followed by "Cul de Sac".{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2016-09-05 |title=Hear an emotional new song from Brockhampton's Merlyn Wood |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/32679/1/stream-merlyn-wood-brockhampton-cul-de-sac |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Dazed |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Brent |date=2018-02-12 |title=BROCKHAMPTON 'Saturation' Cheat Code Album Review |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-06-09-brockhampton-saturation-album-review |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=DJBooth |language=en}}{{Citation |title=SATURATION II by BROCKHAMPTON on Apple Music |date=2017-08-25 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/saturation-ii/1273819126 |access-date=2024-03-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Brockhampton announces "last studio album," shares release date |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/12/01/brockhampton-saturation-3-release-date-last-album |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-27 |title=BROCKHAMPTON Kick Out Ameer Vann Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/brockhampton-kick-out-ameer-vann-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-27 |title=BROCKHAMPTON's New Album Out in September |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/brockhamptons-new-album-out-in-september/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-07-18 |title=Brockhampton Announce New Album 'Ginger' Out In August |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2051693/brockhampton-new-album-ginger-august-2019/news/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}{{cite web |title=ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE by BROCKHAMPTON |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/roadrunner-new-light-new-machine/1560871621 |access-date=2021-04-06 |website=Apple Music |language=en-us}}
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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMPRUs6aka8 |title=BROCKHAMPTON: 'ROADRUNNER,' Meeting A$AP Rocky, and Message Behind their Lyrics {{!}} Apple Music |language=en |access-date=2024-04-03 |via=www.youtube.com}}
Later in 2021, Wood released the single "S.Y.K." alongside producer Connie, his first solo release since the release of Saturation in 2017.{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=2021-11-11 |title=Brockhampton's Merlyn Wood Branches Out With New Song 'S.Y.K.' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brockhamptons-merlyn-wood-branches-out-with-new-song-s-y-k-1256274/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=2022-01-14 |title=Brockhampton Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' Following Coachella Performance, Cancel Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brockhampton-announces-indefinite-hiatus-1284472/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=BROCKHAMPTON Drop Final Album The Family: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2022/11/brockhampton-final-album-the-family-stream/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=2022-11-18 |title=Brockhampton Isn't Quite Ready to Say Good-bye |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/11/brockhampton-tm-album-the-family.html |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Vulture |language=en}}
= 2022–present: Solo work =
"Green Light", another collaboration with Connie, was released on May 31, 2022, as Wood's first single following Brockhampton's dissolution.{{Cite web |title=BROCKHAMPTON's Merlyn Wood returns with "GREEN LIGHT" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/05/31/merlyn-wood-brockhampton-green-light |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The FADER |language=en}} It was followed by "One of Us" on September 5.
In April 2023, Wood was a featured artist on Dreamer Isioma's sophomore album Princess Forever.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-31 |title=Dreamer Isioma Announces Sophomore Album 'Princess Forever,' Shares 2 Hypnotic New Tracks |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/3/dreamer-isioma-princess-forever-album-announcement |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Hypebeast}} In June, he released the collaborative single "Formula" with Dumb Buoys Fishing Club and Joe Unknown, off of the former's debut album Wrecked.{{Cite web |title=Alongside Merlyn and joe unknown, Dumb Buoys Fishing Club raise anchor on "FORMULA" {{!}} Tracks |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/tracks/dumb-buoys-fishing-club-formula |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}} Wood was also featured on "Skeleton Town", on the same record.{{Cite web |title=Dumb Buoys Fishing Club: Wrecked review - explosive alt-pop duo strike gold {{!}} Dumb Buoys Fishing Club |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/dumb-buoys-fishing-club-wrecked-strike-gold |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}
Wood released his debut solo EP Dirty Thunder on October 6, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-11 |title=Kevin Abstract Announces First Solo Album Since Brockhampton's Indefinite Hiatus |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kevin-abstract-announces-first-solo-album-since-brockhampton-indefinite-hiatus/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Dirty Thunder - EP by Merlyn Wood on Apple Music |date=2023-10-06 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dirty-thunder-ep/1709351380 |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=en-US}} Shortly afterwards, Slime In The Ice Machine, a collaborative album with former Brockhampton member Ameer Vann, was released on October 27.{{Cite web |last=Rampertab |first=Lilith |date=2024-03-25 |title='Mika's Laundry:' Matt Champion of BROCKHAMPTON is a lover, not a fighter |url=https://dailycampus.com/2024/03/25/mikas-laundry-matt-champion-of-brockhampton-is-a-lover-not-a-fighter/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Daily Campus |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Slime In the Ice Machine by Ameer Vann Merlyn Wood, Merlyn Wood & Ameer Vann on Apple Music |date=2023-10-27 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/slime-in-the-ice-machine/1710595200 |access-date=2024-04-04 |language=en-US}} In December of that year, Wood was featured on Dark Songs To Drive To, by Montreal rapper Nate Husser.{{Cite web |last=MacIntyre |first=Dave |date=2023-12-27 |title=Montreal rapper Nate Husser on life in L.A. and his latest album Dark Songs to Drive To |url=https://cultmtl.com/2023/12/montreal-rapper-nate-husser-on-life-in-l-a-and-his-latest-album-dark-songs-to-drive-to/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Cult MTL |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Collaborative albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+List of collaborative studio albums ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |
| scope="row" | Slime in the Ice Machine {{Small|(with Ameer Vann)}} |
|
|---|
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |
| scope="row" | Dirty Thunder
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Fye"
|2015 |rowspan="6" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Culdesac"
|2016 |
| scope="row" | "Forget Me Not"
|2017 |
| scope="row" | "S.Y.K." {{Small|(with Connie)}} |2021 |
| scope="row" | "Green Light"
| rowspan="2" |2022 |
| scope="row" | "One of Us" |
| scope="row" | "Blackout"
| rowspan="2" |2023 | rowspan="2" |Dirty Thunder |
| scope="row" | "Mazza" {{Small|(feat. Adetola)}} |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Other performer(s) |
| scope="row" | "Breath"
|2017 |Reverse |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Get Out"
|2022 |
| scope="row" | "Chains"
|2022 |Gidi, SoGone SoFlexy |
| scope="row" | "I Got the Love"
|2023 |Tommy Richman, Nate Dae |
= Guest appearances =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Other performer(s) ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row" | "Show You Off" (Remix)
|2021 |Michael Kirby |The Lion Inside You |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Get Out"
|2022 |All Time High |
| scope="row" | "Touch Your Soul"
| rowspan="4" |2023 |Princess Forever |
| scope="row" | "Formula"
|Dumb Buoys Fishing Club, Joe Unknown | rowspan="2" |Wrecked |
| scope="row" | "Skeleton Town"
|Dumb Buoys Fishing Club, Qhairo |
| scope="row" | "Up the Pipe"
|Nate Husser |Dark Songs to Drive To |
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Title |
| Role
!Medium |
|---|
| 2015
|Dreams Die Young | rowspan="4" |Himself |Short Series |
| 2016
|All-American Trash Documentary |Documentary |
| rowspan="4" |2017
|American Boyband | rowspan="2" |Documentary Series |
| Jennifer's Tour, A Live Show By Brockhampton |
| Billy Star
|"South Central" Crew |Short Film |
| Saturation
| rowspan="3" |Himself |Documentary |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Love Your Parents Tour |Documentary Series |
| The Longest Summer In America
|Documentary |
| 2019
|Keeping The Band |Himself (fictionalized depiction) |Series |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable"
|+List of music videos as Merlyn Wood !Title !Year !Album(s) !Director(s) |
| "S.Y.K"
|2021 | rowspan="3"{{n/a}} |Connie, WellKnownStudios |
| "Green Light"
| rowspan="2" |2022 |Miggy |
| "One of Us"
|Sean Russo |
| "Mazza"
{{Small|(feat. Adetola)}} |2023 |Dirty Thunder |Evijan John |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Brockhampton}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Merlyn}}
Category:American people of Ghanaian descent
Category:21st-century African-American musicians
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:Rappers from Austin, Texas
Category:People from The Woodlands, Texas
Category:Rappers from Los Angeles
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:Alternative hip-hop musicians