J.I.D Explains The Value Of Authenticity In His XXL Freshman Profile

J.I.D shares what got him his spot on the Freshmen List.

BYMatthew Parizot
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The roll out of interviews with the latest XXL Freshman Class continues. First came the Florida rapper who beefed with J. Cole, Smokepurpp, and now comes the Atlanta rapper who's signed to J. Cole, J.I.D.

The 27-year-old rapper gained prominence with the release of his 2017 debut album, The Never Story, and it's big single: "NEVER." He's also a frequent collaborator of fellow Dreamville rap duo, EarthGang

He admits as such in the video, acknowledging that that song was what actually brought him to the list in the first place. What he believes drew people's attention to the song was its authenticity. 

"It sounded good, sonically, and I was just saying cool shit," J.I.D says. "And it was real! People can relate to not having shit, you know what I'm saying?"

Being himself is a big part of J.I.D's image; something he believes separates him from his peers. 

"I'm just really myself, I'm comfortable in my own skin" he says. "I feel like a lot of people put on a lot of acts, it's weird. I'm cool with just being me."

J.I.D already impressed earlier today with his Freshman Freestyle, setting the bar high for the following freshmen, as well as his own upcoming cypher. Unlike Smokepurpp's interview, this video doesn't offer a good look at who is joining J.I.D in his cypher. Ski Mask The Slump God appears for a few frames, but it's not confirmed that they're part of the same cypher. 

Check out the full interview with J.I.D down below.


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