JID
Biography
Destin Choice Route, known professionally as JID, was born on October 31, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the youngest of seven children, and his grandmother nicknamed him "JID" due to his "jittery" behavior. Growing up, his initial musical influences came from his parents' collection of classic funk and soul records. He later became interested in 1990s New York hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists like Jay-Z, Nas, and Mobb Deep. JID attended Stephenson High School, where he was a defensive back on the football team. He later earned a football scholarship to Hampton University but was eventually expelled.
Career Beginnings and Spillage Village
After leaving college, JID focused on his music career. In 2010, he co-founded the musical collective Spillage Village with the members of EarthGang, whom he met at Hampton University. He released his first mixtape, "Cakewalk," on May 18, 2010. To support his musical ambitions, he worked various jobs, including at call centers and delivering pizza, before he started getting booked for live performances. He followed up with several independent projects, including "Route of Evil" (2012), "Para Tu" (2013), and the "DiCaprio" EP (2015).
Dreamville Records and Rise to Prominence
The Never Story
JID's career gained significant momentum after he signed with J. Cole's Dreamville Records in 2017. The connection was made through his touring with EarthGang and Bas. On March 10, 2017, he released his debut studio album, "The Never Story," through the label. The album, which details his upbringing in East Atlanta, received positive reviews from critics. It featured the lead single "Never" and guest appearances from artists like EarthGang, 6LACK, and Mereba.
DiCaprio 2
On November 26, 2018, JID released his second studio album, "DiCaprio 2." Serving as a sequel to his 2015 EP, the album was hosted by DJ Drama and featured guest appearances from J. Cole, 6LACK, A$AP Ferg, and Method Man, among others. The album was met with continued critical acclaim for its lyrical complexity and diverse production. It was supported by the singles "151 Rum" and "Off Deez."
The Forever Story
JID's third studio album, "The Forever Story," was released on August 26, 2022. The album received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising its introspective lyricism, ambitious scope, and mature artistic direction. It is considered a sequel to his debut, "The Never Story." The album includes features from artists such as Lil Wayne, Yasiin Bey, 21 Savage, and Ari Lennox. "The Forever Story" debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Collaborations and Other Ventures
Throughout his career, JID has remained an active member of the Spillage Village collective. The group has released several projects, including "Bears Like This" (2014), "Bears Like This Too" (2015), "Bears Like This Too Much" (2016), and their major-label debut, "Spilligion" (2020). He was also heavily featured on the Dreamville compilation album "Revenge of the Dreamers III" in 2019, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum. In 2021, his collaboration with Imagine Dragons, "Enemy," became his highest-charting song, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.