J.I.D

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Lore & Background

JID formed the musical collective Spillage Village with EarthGang in 2010, and later assembled the hip hop group Zoink Gang with Smino, Buddy, and Guapdad 4000. He opened with EarthGang and Bas for Ab-Soul's These Days Tour in 2014. On February 20, 2017, it was announced that Route had signed to J. Cole's Dreamville label, first releasing the single "Never." He was an opening act on the North American and European legs of J. Cole's 2017 4 Your Eyez Only Tour. In November 2017, JID co-headlined his Never Had Shit Tour with EarthGang. In June 2018, JID was featured on the cover of XXL's 2018 Freshman Class. In 2019, JID contributed to the Dreamville compilation album *Revenge of the Dreamers III*; his singles "Down Bad" and "Costa Rica" were certified gold by the RIAA. On March 31, 2022, he appeared on the Dreamville compilation *D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape* with the songs "Stick" and "Barry From Simpson."

In Their Own Story

On October 10, 2017, JID appeared alongside rappers Cozz, Kodie Shane, and Ali Tomineek in a cypher at the BET Hip Hop Awards. On February 9, 2019, JID's show in Ithaca, New York, was shut down by the police due to a visible crack forming in the ceiling beneath the show's venue. On September 8, 2022, JID performed for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert program. On March 28, 2023, American record producer Metro Boomin posted a picture on Twitter from a studio with JID, alongside the caption "Got a lot of new music coming but when me and @JIDsv drop." JID would later confirm the existence of a collaborative album between the two in a Twitter reply. On July 12, 2024, JID featured on Eminem's song "Fuel" for his twelfth studio album, *The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)*. On September 20, 2024, JID also appeared on Katy Perry's song "Artificial" for her seventh studio album *143*. On April 18, 2025, JID released the lead single "WRK" for his fourth studio album, *God Does Like Ugly*. The album released on August 8 through Dreamville and Interscope, featuring guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Clipse, Vince Staples, Ciara, EarthGang, Don Toliver, Ty Dolla Sign, 6lack, Jessie Reyez, Baby Kia, Mereba, and Pastor Troy, to positive reviews.

Reader's Guide

JID's fluent rapping style and usage of wordplay have frequently received acclaim from music critics. His debut studio album, *The Never Story* (2017), was met with critical acclaim. His second album, *DiCaprio 2* (2018), saw continued critical acclaim. His third album, *The Forever Story* (2022), spawned the top 40 single "Surround Sound" (featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate). His fourth album, *God Does Like Ugly* (2025), was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 68th Grammy Awards. Key moments include: being featured on the cover of XXL's 2018 Freshman Class; his singles "Down Bad" and "Costa Rica" being certified gold by the RIAA; and his collaboration with Imagine Dragons on "Enemy" peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. His relationship with Dreamville began with his signing in 2017 and includes opening for J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only Tour and appearing on Dreamville compilations *Revenge of the Dreamers III* and *D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape*.

Did You Know?

• JID adopted his stage name from his grandmother's nickname for him based on his 'jittery' behavior.
• He played NCAA Division I football at Hampton University as a defensive back before being kicked from the team for skipping practices.
• JID funded his music career working at call centers and delivering pizza before he was booked for live shows.
• His show in Ithaca, New York, on February 9, 2019, was shut down by police due to a visible crack forming in the ceiling beneath the venue.
• JID's fourth album, *God Does Like Ugly* (2025), was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 68th Grammy Awards.