J.I.D. – Don’t Underestimate What This Young Rapper Brings to the Table

Without pressing play, you may assume that J.I.D. is another one of the mumble rappers we don’t need more of. While he may still be fairly young, he is signed on Dreamville Records, J. Cole’s label, which should lend some credit to the quality of his music, or at least incline you to give him a chance. His eclectic first project with the label, The Never Story was released early last year and presents a full-bodied collection of tracks that perfectly capture his self-identified influences including funk, Wu-Tang Clan, and the Arctic Monkeys. With his highly anticipated album DiCaprio 2 on the cusp of release, J.I.D. is an artist to watch for those who want to be ahead of the curve.

In some instances, like on “Working Out”, his flow reminds me of some of Lil Wayne’s softer, mellower tracks of the early 2000’s. However, on “151”, his first single from DiCaprio 2, he is much more reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar. Overall, I’d say he has this darker side of Pharrell vibe to him. Despite these comparisons to some of the greatest rappers of our time, J.I.D. is truly an individual as an artist. While he hails from Atlanta, his style could not be farther from the region’s signature trap style. Instead, he plays with styles and rhythms, establishing his own unique style.