Rapper JID from Atlanta rejected a football scholarship to focus on his career, spending years honing his rapidly evolving lyrical style so he would stand out among other rappers who had a similar sound.
Rapper JID from Atlanta rejected a football scholarship to focus on his career, spending years honing his rapidly evolving lyrical style so he would stand out among other rappers who had a similar sound.
Rapper JID from Atlanta rejected a football scholarship to focus on his career, spending years honing his rapidly evolving lyrical style so he would stand out among other rappers who had a similar sound. Following a period of cooperation with the Spillage Village collective, JID inked a solo contract with J Cole’s label and created a series of incredibly melodic and intricately detailed albums, culminating in a fresh round of critical praise for 2018’s superb DiCaprio 2. He returned to Spillage Village for the Spilligion project in 2020, and a year later he worked with Imagine Dragons. JID’s highly anticipated third studio album, The Forever Story, was released in 2022. In 2023, “Half Doin Dope,” a joint duet with Lil Yachty, was released.
On Halloween of 1990, Destin Route gave birth to JID. Growing up in East Atlanta, JID—a moniker he took on after his grandmother used to refer to him as a nervous child—was initially introduced to music by his parents’ assortment of vintage funk and soul LPs. As a member of the Spillage Village community, JID also made friends with other MCs following his time spent playing football at Hampton University. He left college early in 2012 to concentrate on his music, and in 2014 he set off on what would out to be a fruitful tour with EarthGang, Bas, and Ab-Soul. After honing his craft through touring, JID collaborated with EarthGang and several other producers to record and release the DiCaprio EP a year later. JID wanted to give something more than just a rhythm, so he dedicated time and energy to the lyrics in addition to his efforts to break away from the generic, harsh trap sound that had taken over the Atlanta scene. With the rest of the Spillage Village team, JID released the album Bears Like This Too Much in 2016, showcasing his distinct delivery and thought-provoking songs.
The Story of Never-Having
After JID participated in the 2014 tour with Bas and Cole’s buddy and producer Cedric Brown, he signed to J Cole’s Dreamville label in 2017. The label released the song “Never” and the full-length The Never Story at the start of the year. He released the lead song from DiCaprio 2, his sophomore full-length album and the follow-up to his 2015 EP, “151 Rum,” in September 2018. The album, which featured cameos from 6LACK, A$AP Ferg, Method Man, and other artists, was released in late November. Despite being published so late in the year, DiCaprio 2 was well-received by both critics and fans, and it was included on numerous year-end best-of lists. The album greatly increased JID’s fan base, and during the ensuing years, he went on tour and made appearances on songs by other, rising stars like T.I., Vince Staples, and Pusha T.
The Soundtrack for Creed III
JID got back in touch with the Spillage Village group in September 2020 to celebrate the publication of Spilligion, the concept album with a religious theme and the collective’s fourth effort. The artistically eclectic set made its Billboard 200 chart debut at position 141. In the course of 2021, JID released many solo singles and teamed up with Imagine Dragons on the song “Enemy.” Featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate, “Surround Sound” is the third full-length album he announced in January 2022. In addition to Lil Wayne, Ravyn Lenae, and Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), The Forever Story debuted in August. It peaked at number eight on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and number twelve on the Billboard 200. The rapper made an appearance on Dreamville and Lute’s song “Ma Boy,” which was featured on the Creed III soundtrack, in March 2023. He and Lil Yachty collaborated as BlakkBoyz that September on the hits “Van Gogh” and “Half Doin Dope” (with BabyTron).
