J.I.D Stopped Doing Freestyles, Blamed Funk Flex

BYGabriel Bras Nevares3.1K Views
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The Atlanta MC recently opened up to the Rap Radar Podcast about how his 2017 appearance on Hot 97 didn't get the reaction he wanted.

Never forget that all the greatest rappers today started on the same hustle of proving themselves as anyone else. Sometimes, though, people don't yet see what they'll become down the road, or even what they've already achieved. J.I.D. explained how his appearance on Funk Flex's Hot 97 radio show made him stop doing freestyles. Moreover, the "Surround Sound" MC said that he was frustrated with Flex for not reacting to his 2017 freestyle.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) JID performs onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Still, one can't imagine the rapper who gave us The Forever Story failing Funk Flex. Most people can't even imagine a 2017 J.I.D doing so. Regardless, the 32-year-old attributed a lack of awareness to the DJ's original reaction.

“Funk ain’t even understand what was going on,” he expressed to the Rap Radar Podcast. “He was kerfuffled. I was giving him something and he ain’t even get it. We might go back one day. I silently retired away from the freestyles because I was mad at Flex because he didn’t respond the way I wanted to.

“It was like a childhood dream to get the bomb and I ain’t get the bomb or none of the hype, so I was a little upset," the Atlanta artist continued. "But I think I’m gonna get back into the freestyle world just because it’s another part of the art, it’s another notch on your tool belt.”

Moreover, the Rap Radar hosts specifically highlighted one of his lines from the six-year-old freestyle. "You said the rhyme... something like 'The doctor can't see my pee like pterodactyl,'" they said. "Like, I ain't never heard a n***a say 'pterodactyl' in a rhyme, this guy's incredible!"

However, at least J.I.D didn't close the door on spitting off the dome on a track, for interviews or otherwise. What's more is that he talked about potentially doing DiCaprio 3 with DJ Drama. Another Gangsta Grillz production to look forward to, it seems.

Still, what do you think of J.I.D's silent exit from freestyles thanks to Funk Flex and his 2017 reaction? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest insights from your favorite MCs.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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