| Woodie | |
| Birth Name: | Ryan Mitchell Wood |
| Birth Date: | November 20, 1975 |
| Birth Place: | Antioch, California, U.S |
| Death Date: | March 7, 2007 (aged 31) |
| Death Place: | Florence, Oregon, U.S |
| Genre: | Hip hop, gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop |
| Years Active: | 1998–2007 |
| Label: | East Co Co Records (1998) |
Ryan Mitchell Wood, better known as Woodie (November 20, 1975 – March 7, 2007), was an American rapper, music producer and songwriter from Antioch, California. He was recognized for his fast-paced style and introspective lyrics, often reflecting on real-life experiences and dilemmas. Woodie's music, which included references to gang life, violence, corruption in the government and personal conscience, resonated with many fans and offered a platform for other emerging artists.[1]
Born and raised in Antioch, He grew up in an environment filled with gangs, drugs, violence, and crime. He became immersed in gang life at a very young age and joined the Norteños street gang at only 14 years old. He served a one-year prison sentence for assault with a deadly weapon. He served his prison sentence at Folsom State Prison.
Fed up with a life of gang-related violence, Ryan dedicated himself to rap, he had an interest in break dancing and hip-hop at a young age and started rapping in high school at the age of 15 where he quickly rose through the ranks of the Cali Bay Area's underground scene eventually signing with Koch Records. And in 1995, a fellow member and friend of Woodie's named Gabriel "Snoop" Roberson, was connected to homicide that took place at a girl's coming of age party, and ultimately tried and convicted on four counts of attempted murder, and one count of murder. Roberson denied committing the murders, and his case obtained notability due to Woodie's references of the events and proclamation that "Snoop" was innocent, and falsely imprisoned. Snoop's loyalty is mentioned throughout Woodie's music due to Roberson never telling the truth about what happened. In 2020, the case was examined for a parole hearing, after Gabriel "Snoop" Robberson brought up a lack of evidence, and despite fans of Woodie speculating that "Snoop" took the fall for a crime Woodie may have committed, the parole board denied Robberson's parole requests. Robberson is up for a new parole hearing every ten years due to being a minor when the crime happened.[2]
Another friend of Ryan, Carlos "Blackbird" Ramirez was also wanted for the shooting. But he vanished for some time and a manhunt started. After 4 years Ramirez reappeared in Antioch he allegedly showed up at his ex-girlfriends where he took both their kids and barricaded himself in the house. After a multi-day standoff with the police both Ramirez and his 2 daughters died from gunshot wounds. Antioch police stated Ramirez had fatally shot his daughters before ultimately turning the weapon on himself. But Ryan had insisted that both Ramirez and his 2 daughters were killed by the Antioch police. He mentioned the fact Ramirez had 2 fatal gunshot wounds to the head. In Woodie's song called "mind games" Ramirez can be heard talking about a tragic event that took place a few years before. In the song Woodie states how, the police might've killed Ramirez's daughters and how they knew Gabriell was innocent and decided to imprison him anyway.
In 1997, Ryan initiated his own music label, East Co. Co. Records. Following this, he finalized his first solo album, "Yoc Influenced," which was released in 1998. Alongside D-Small as the executive producer, Wood's label put out its inaugural compilation, "Northern Expozure Vol. 1," in 1999, featuring the standout track "Norte Sidin." Soon underground gansta rap magazine Muder Dog was praising his work, introducing Woodie to a national audience. This underground success culminated with Woodie being offered a record deal with Koch, a large nationally distributed label with plenty of money and clout. Woodie's first release for Koch, "Demonz in My Sleep" showcased both his skills as an MC and as a producer. He produced all but 3 of his album songs, Although Woodie never made it mainstream, his music is still popular in the Bay Area and other parts of Northern California.
On March 7, 2007, Woodie's life came to an end under circumstances that are still not entirely clear, his death is veiled in mystery. While some reports suggest he took his own life in Florence, Oregon, official records to confirm these details have not been located. Some believe that he drank himself into a deep and dark depression because he was responsible for the murder that Gabriel "Snoop" Robberson is serving life in prison for. Woodie never hired an appeal lawyer and never confessed to the shooting despite letting Gabriel know that eventually he would do so. A-Wax released a single named East Co. Co. in which it is alleged that Woodie left a will and a confession tape before he died. Rumors of a confession tape have been denied.
In 2018, a memorial headstone installed at Holy Cross Cemetery in Antioch in honor of Woodie was reported stolen. The theft of the headstone was met with shock and sadness from his community, who viewed it as a deeply disrespectful act.[3]