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

BYGabriel Bras Nevares6.1K 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 music and pop culture news writer for HotNewHipHop. He started in 2022 as a weekend writer and, since joining the team full-time, has developed a strong knowledge in hip-hop news and releases. Whether it’s regular coverage or occasional interviews and album reviews, he continues to search for the most relevant news for his audience and find the best new releases in the genre. What excites him the most is finding pop culture stories of interest, as well as a deeper passion for the art form of hip-hop and its contemporary output. Specifically, Gabriel enjoys the fringes of rap music: the experimental, boundary-pushing, and raw alternatives to the mainstream sound. As a proud native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, he also stays up-to-date with the archipelago’s local scene and its biggest musical exponents in reggaetón, salsa, indie, and beyond. Before working at HotNewHipHop, Gabriel produced multiple short documentaries, artist interviews, venue spotlights, and audio podcasts on a variety of genres and musical figures. Hardcore punk and Go-go music defined much of his coverage during his time at the George Washington University in D.C. His favorite hip-hop artists working today are Tyler, The Creator, Boldy James, JPEGMAFIA, and Earl Sweatshirt.
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