This year's XXL Freshman Class has fans divided, with the inclusion of Smokepurpp and Lil Pump giving it a bit of a anti-lyricist vibe. Yet in reality, lyricism will never be off the table as long as Dreamville's J.I.D. is in the mix. Don't get it twisted - Wifisfuneral, Trippie Redd, and Ski Mask The Slump God are all capable of going hard in the cypher. Yet there's something about J.I.D's effortless blend of Southern hospitality and youthful cleverness that makes for a refreshing mix. In short, he brings the "bars" while never succumbing to the typical lyricist tropes, as largely seen in some elder statesmen.
Following Smokepurpp as the second of the class to drop, J.I.D. goes acapella for nearly two minutes, employing a variety of different flows. A previously unreleased freestyle over "My Name Is" suggests that Eminem was an influence for the young Atlanta rapper; this video proves it. J.I.D. uses his voice masterfully, as he delivers memorable bars like "nothin' even matters I heard that when I was five, around the same time my big brother showed me his nine and let me hold it, literally what I call a nine-to-five."
The lines continue throughout, culminating in sheer madness. "Typical flows to keep you n***as on the tip of your toes, lo and behold make your temple explode, give and go pick and roll, never listen to the rigmarole, it's rigor mortis when your temperature cold." Judging from the tone and confidence with which he spits, it's clear that J.I.D. has come to make a statement. Consider his case made. All we can do now is wait for the Cypher, where all hell will break loose.
