J.I.D Drops His Boldest Statement Yet with the GRAMMY®-Nominated GOD DOES LIKE UGLY

blrbmag
Oct 1, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Platinum-selling rapper J.I.D’s latest album, God Does Like Ugly (Dreamville Records / Interscope Records), earned two GRAMMY® nominations this year—Best Rap Album and Best Melodic Rap Performance for the track “Wholeheartedly” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6LACK. Executive-produced by longtime collaborator Christo, the project is a bold, feverish body of work that finds J.I.D. operating at the height of his powers. Blending intricate rhyme schemes, percussive flows, smooth R&B melodies, and chest-rattling anthems, the album stands as a masterclass in versatility, further cementing J.I.D’s reputation as one of hip-hop’s most technically gifted and emotionally resonant voices.

Featuring an all-star roster, God Does Like Ugly traverses hip-hop’s landscape with contributions from Clipse, Ciara, Ty Dolla $ign, Don Toliver, Vince Staples, 6lack, Jessie Reyez, Mereba, EARTHGANG, and Atlanta rap legend Pastor Troy, among others. Tracks like “YouUgly” featuring Westside Gunn and “Community" featuring Clips, Pusha T and Malice showcase the album’s daring collaborations, while cuts like “Sk8” tap into Atlanta’s distinctive sound with the help of Ciara and EARTHGANG. Each feature sharpens the project’s edges, yet it remains undeniably J.I.D—an artist committed to pushing boundaries while staying rooted in his own storytelling.

Born and raised in East Atlanta, J.I.D broke onto the scene with his 2015 EP DiCaprio before signing to Dreamville and releasing The Never Story in 2017. He followed with the acclaimed DiCaprio 2 and The Forever Story, both of which solidified his reputation as one of rap’s most dynamic talents. Beyond his solo work, J.I.D has delivered standout contributions to Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III, collaborated with Imagine Dragons on the global hit “Enemy,” and sold out venues worldwide with his rapid-fire delivery and boundary-pushing sound. With God Does Like Ugly, J.I.D continues to redefine what’s possible in hip-hop, proving himself a generational voice destined for greatness.