ALBUM REVIEW: JID — DiCaprio 2
People will try to compare his sound to Kendrick and his look to J. Cole. But in reality, he has a style all his own - like a rap game Mystique! There’s more than meets the eye to the newest member of Dreamville Records, a 28-year-old, 5 foot, 6 inch MC by the name of JID. Since his 2017 debut album, The Never Story, hip-hop has awarded him an unusual respect not often granted to even veteran rappers, and for a very unusual reason. Looking at the early career of any rapper, there is a clear correlation between the direction of personal relationships and sonic aesthetic. But rising out of East Atlanta (“like Gucci and Travis Porter,” he muses on “Slick Talk”), JID clearly stuck to his guns instead of relying on the ear-candy trap production or mumble rap flows that has made his city known worldwide. Those instincts meant early collaborations with the lesser-known southern alt-rap: college-roommates EARTHGANG, Florida maverick Denzel Curry, and, eventually, the creator of Dreamville himself — J. Cole. And as much as these collaborations have shaped his sound, it’s notable how much JID tends to shape his collaborators — daring them to level up to match his power, lyrically and aesthetically.
JID brings out the best in people, something he proved to be true in The Never Story. Themes of being a young, black person in America are explored in a beautiful, winding mix of clever rap and soothing vocals that bring the best of what hip-hop has to offer. At a glance, there are moments where JID sounds like a Kendrick rapping with Lil Wayne lyrics, then slides into a riff à la Daniel Caeser or The Weeknd; the guy just oozes talent that keeps him on pace with whoever is next to him. But perhaps what’s most amazing is his personality — childlike, playful, but determined — is capable of shining through, even as the mood of his music changed. It was no surprise when J. Cole selected him to open for his 4 Your Eyes Only Tour, nor was it when he was selected to be a XXL 2018 Freshman class member. His 2017 was huge. So, what next?
DiCaprio 2 is an album made on the run. Written in hotel rooms and produced on tour busses, JID takes us on a journey through the development of his craft by cutting the fat and finding a fine balance of his skills, his time, and his potential. Foregoing some of the lo-fi and experimental beats for more traditional trap sound, he maintains and expands on the subject matter that just makes him so pleasing to listen to. Incredible, iconic flows that hit hard and fast on tracks like “Westbrook” and “151 Rum” are made even better by equally catchy hooks that get you dancing (not just dancing, grooving) in the way that only solid hip-hop can. Meanwhile, sunny, positive tracks like “Skrawberries” with BJ The Chicago Kid and “Off Da Zoikeys” continue to prove that JID is not just copying the game — he is adding to it and flavoring it in a way that implies a respect that is as enormous as his confidence.
There is no smoke and mirrors — no southern drawl mumbles or catchphrases. JID has the marvelous ability to tell a story — a narrative that is growing more interesting every day. On the closing track, “Despacito Too,” JID groggily asserts, “I can be / whatever I wanna be.” He doesn’t just mean job title. JID has not tried on a style that he hasn’t worn well. It’s hard to pin down an artist like that…but I’m listening.