JID facts for kids

Quick facts for kids JID
JID in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Destin Choice Route
Born	(1989-10-31) October 31, 1989 (age 35) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer songwriter
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Dreamville Interscope SinceThe80s
Education	Stephenson High School Hampton University
Signature

Destin Choice Route (born October 31, 1989), known as JID (or J.I.D), is an American rapper. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2017, he joined J. Cole's record label, Dreamville Records, which is part of Interscope Records.

JID helped start the music group Spillage Village with EarthGang in 2010. Later, he formed another hip-hop group called Zoink Gang with Smino, Buddy, and Guapdad 4000. People who write about music often praise his smooth rapping style and clever use of words.

JID became well-known after releasing several independent music projects. These included Route of Evil (2012), Para Tu (2013), and DiCaprio (2015). His first studio album, The Never Story (2017), was highly praised. It featured the popular song "Never". His second album, DiCaprio 2 (2018), included the songs "151 ..." and "Off Deez" (with J. Cole). This album also received great reviews.

In 2021, his song "Enemy" with Imagine Dragons became a huge hit. It was the main song for the Netflix show Arcane. This song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it his highest-charting song. His third album, The Forever Story (2022), was also very popular. It reached number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the top 40 song "Surround Sound" (with 21 Savage and Baby Tate).

Early Life and Education

Destin Choice Route was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents are Carl Louis Route Jr. and Kathy Jean Route. He is the youngest of seven children. His grandmother gave him the nickname "JID" because he was often "jittery."

Growing up, JID listened to music like Sly and the Family Stone and Earth, Wind & Fire. Later, he started listening to 1990s New York hip-hop. He enjoyed rappers such as Jay-Z, Nas, and Mobb Deep.

JID went to Stephenson High School. There, he played football as a defensive back. In his last year of high school, he hurt his hip. He then received a full scholarship to play college football at Hampton University. JID played for two seasons before he was removed from the team for missing practices. After leaving college, JID moved in with Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus. They are a rap duo known as EarthGang, whom he had met at Hampton University.

Musical Journey

Starting His Music Career (2010–2016)

JID released his first mixtape, Cakewalk, on May 18, 2010. Earlier that year, he formed Spillage Village with EarthGang, Hollywood JB, and Jordxn Bryant. He released his second mixtape, Cakewalk 2, on June 29, 2011. His third mixtape, Route of All Evil, came out on June 25, 2012. It featured artists like EarthGang and Stillz.

To pay for his music, JID worked at call centers and delivered pizza. This was before he started getting booked for live shows. On October 22, 2013, he released his next mixtape, Para Tu. This mixtape was re-released on December 29, 2017.

In 2014, JID performed with EarthGang and Bas on Ab-Soul's These Days Tour. This happened after Spillage Village released their first group project, Bears Like This. On January 26, 2015, JID released his first extended play (EP) called DiCaprio EP. On July 6, Spillage Village released their second group project, Bears Like This Too. JID also toured with Omen and Bas. On December 2, 2016, Spillage Village released Bears Like This Too Much. This project included songs with J. Cole and Bas. It also featured music produced by Mac Miller, Ducko Mcfli, Childish Major, and J. Cole.

The Never Story Album (2017)

JID performing in 2017

On February 20, 2017, it was announced that JID had signed with J. Cole's Dreamville label. He first released the song "Never." His full album, The Never Story, came out on March 10, 2017. The album featured EarthGang, 6LACK, and Mereba. It also had production from J. Cole, Hollywood JB, Christo, and Childish Major. Later, JID released three more music videos from the album: "D/vision," "Hereditary," and "EdEddnEddy."

JID also performed as an opening act for the 4 Your Eyez Only Tour in 2017. This tour took place in North America and Europe. On October 10, JID took part in a rap cypher at the BET Hip Hop Awards. ..... Guests on the tour included Lute, Chaz French, and Mereba. The tour had 15 shows in North America and continued in 2018 with 19 shows in Europe. On December 13, JID was featured on a remix of "Pay The Man" with Foster The People and Saba.

DiCaprio 2 Album (2018–2020)

In June 2018, JID was featured on the cover of XXL's 2018 Freshman Class magazine. In July, he was on Denzel Curry's song "Sirens" from the album Ta13oo. It was also announced that he would tour with Mac Miller and Thundercat. However, that tour was canceled after Mac Miller passed away.

The first song from his second album, "151 ...", was released on September 18. On October 3, 2018, JID performed the song "Working Out" on A COLORS SHOW. On his birthday, his second album, DiCaprio 2, was announced for release on November 26, 2018. He soon shared the list of songs on the album. The album's second official song, "Off Deez" featuring J. Cole, came out on November 6. ..... The music was mainly produced by his team, including Christo, Hollywood JB, J. Cole, and Elite.

DiCaprio 2 was released on November 26, 2018. It received many positive reviews and was highly praised. JID then announced the first part of his Catch Me If You Can tour. This tour had 34 shows and started in January 2019. Reason, Hardo, and Lou The Human joined him as supporting acts. On February 9, JID's show in Ithaca, New York, was stopped by the police. This happened because a crack appeared in the ceiling below the concert venue. On February 12, 2019, JID announced the second part of his Catch Me If You Can tour. This part included 26 shows starting in May. Saba, Deante' Hitchcock, and Mereba were the supporting acts.

In 2019, JID was part of the Dreamville album Revenge of the Dreamers III. The songs "Down Bad" and "Costa Rica" from this album were certified gold. In 2020, as part of Spillage Village, he was featured on the songs "End of Daze" and "Baptize." These songs were for their fourth group album, Spilligion.

The Forever Story and New Music (2021–Present)

JID was featured on Doja Cat's song "Options" from her album Planet Her. He then worked with Imagine Dragons on the very popular song "Enemy." This song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

JID hinted about his third album, The Forever Story, throughout 2021. The first song from the album, "Surround Sound" featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate, was released on January 14, 2022. On March 31, he appeared on the Dreamville album D-Day Mixtape. He was on the songs "Stick" and "Barry From Simpson." On August 9, JID released the second song from The Forever Story, called "Dance Now", with Kenny Mason.

The Forever Story was released on August 26, 2022. It featured many guest artists, including Kenny Mason, EarthGang, 21 Savage, Baby Tate, Lil Durk, Ari Lennox, Yasiin Bey, Lil Wayne, Johntá Austin, Ravyn Lenae, and Eryn Allen Kane. On September 8, 2022, JID performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

JID performing in 2023

On March 28, 2023, music producer Metro Boomin posted a picture of himself and JID working in a studio. He wrote, "Got a lot of new music coming but when me and @JIDsv drop." JID later confirmed that he and Metro Boomin are working on an album together. ..... This EP featured Lil Yachty and BabyTron. On October 13, JID was featured on Westside Gunn's song "Mamas PrimeTime" with Conway the Machine. This song was from Gunn's album And Then You Pray for Me. On November 9, JID was featured in the opening of the video game Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased the Name.

On July 12, 2024, JID was featured on Eminem's song "Fuel". This song was from Eminem's album, The Death of Slim Shady. On August 8, 2024, JID was featured on Katy Perry's song "Artificial" from her album 143.

Upcoming Album: God Does Like Ugly (2025)

On April 18, 2025, JID released the first song, "WRK", from his upcoming fourth studio album, God Does Like Ugly. This was JID's first solo song since The Forever Story in 2022. He later announced that the album would be released on August 8, 2025, and shared a preview video.

On July 4, 2025, JID released GDLU (Preluxe). He announced it with a freestyle video on YouTube. This EP featured Eminem, Lil Yachty, and 6LACK. It was a preview for his upcoming album God Does Like Ugly. The EP included four songs that were originally planned for the album but were not included in the final version. The song with Eminem was also released as a single. JID has also worked with Offset this year.

Musical Style and Influences

What Inspires JID's Music

When JID was growing up, his first connection to music was through his parents' collection of old funk and soul records. He has said that Lil Wayne, Sly and the Family Stone, D'Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, Earl Sweatshirt, and Little Dragon are his biggest influences.

He also looks up to other artists from Atlanta, like OutKast, Goodie Mob, Gucci Mane, and T.I. He names them as important inspirations for his music.

Personal Life

Destin Route supported Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the 2020 United States Senate elections. He performed at a rally for both of them in 2020.

Discography

Studio Albums

• The Never Story (2017)
• DiCaprio 2 (2018)
• The Forever Story (2022)
• God Does Like Ugly (2025)

Collaborative Albums

• Revenge of the Dreamers III (with Dreamville) (2019)
• Spilligion (with Spillage Village and EarthGang) (2020)
• D-Day Mixtape (with Dreamville) (2022)
• JIDTRO (with Metro Boomin) (To Be Announced)

Tours

Headlining Tours

• Catch Me If You Can Tour (2019)
• Luv Is 4ever Tour (with Smino) (2023)

Supporting Tours

• Elephant Eyes Tour (Omen) (2015)
• Too High To Riot Tour (Bas) (2016)
• I Told You Tour (Tory Lanez) (2016)
• 4 Your Eyez Only Tour (J. Cole) (2017)
• The Swimming Tour (Mac Miller) (2018; cancelled)
• Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Tour (Logic) (2019)
• American Dream Tour (21 Savage) (2024)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: J.I.D para niños