Music / Reviews
Review: J.I.D, the Prospect Building – ‘A lesson in the art of performance’
Sharp flows, impressive lyrical versatility and undeniable stage presence – that’s exactly the energy that East Atlanta rapper JID brought to Bristol’s Prospect Building.
JID’s rapid rise to the top of the hip hop game has been nothing short of a triumph. From signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville label in early 2017 as a relatively unknown entity, the rapper has expertly honed his craft, developing an album catalogue that stacks up to some of this generation’s greats.
2022’s Forever Story garnered near-universal critical acclaim, showcasing introspective storytelling alongside ambitious production; meanwhile, God Does Like Ugly – the album that this tour is in support of – received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
J. Cole himself recently sang JID’s praises on a podcast appearance – claiming that he has both the hunger and ability to surpass the likes of himself and Kendrick Lamar to become one of rap’s greatest.
He also has a track with nearly two billion streams on Spotify – but that’s in collaboration with Imagine Dragons, so the less said about it the better.
Indeed, I recall catching JID some seven years ago at Bristol’s O2 Academy following the release of his sophomore album Dicaprio 2, and to say his artistic growth since then is astounding is not hyperbolic.
The Prospect Building performance marked the second leg of three UK dates on the God Does Like Ugly tour.
Alongside him, in support, was Mick Jenkins who opened things up. A versatile setlist – ranging from his big hitters, to deeper and unreleased cuts – the night was kicked off with high energy.
Perhaps more importantly though, Jenkins championed a message we can all get behind during the set – on the cruciality of hydration. “DRINK. MORE. WATER”, the rapper yelled out emphatically throughout his set – a sentiment clearly supported by the audience who shouted it back.
Up next was JID who wasted no time and pulled no punches.
Exploding onto the stage alongside his DJ, Christo, trap instrumentals reverberated through Prospect’s soundsystem as he opened with a fan-favourite track from the new album, YouUgly; a whiplash-inducing, breakneck track built on unpredictable beat switches – crashing between brash electronics, soulful atmospherics and everything in between.
Several tracks from the new album followed before JID interjected to mark the occasion as a celebration – a celebration of not only God Does Like Ugly, but also the earlier works in his catalogue that got him to this point.
Classics like Off da Zoinkys showcased the versatility the rapper has in his locker, while Kody Blu 31 saw a sea of phones fly up in the air in what seemed like robotic fashion – fair enough.
But it was the performance of the long-adored track Workin’ Out that showcased what seems like a growing phenomenon at gigs to me – performative enthusiasm.
A desire, particularly among younger audience members, to signal: I’m enjoying the show more than you. I know the artist better than you. Please give me attention.
Because why on a more mellow, introspective and piano-driven track like Workin’ Out are you jumping around and flailing your arms into the otherwise motionless people around you.
I don’t want to seem like the fun police, but seriously, what are we doing here? It’s the same draining energy as watching people trying to force a mosh pit at occasions that don’t ask for one.
That being said, JID’s performance was flawless and did have moments that earnt this energy.
Renditions of classics NEVER and 151 Rum caused frenzy, while covers of Dreamville posse cut tracks like Down Bad and Stick closed things out in chaotic fashion.
Mick Jenkins gave us a lesson in staying hydrated, JID gave us a lesson in the art of performance… if only someone would give people a lesson on how to behave at a gig.
All images: A.Brookes (Kolab)
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