DiCaprio 2

by JID

Overview

Atlanta rapper J.I.D's second official album, DiCaprio 2, sounds like it arrived fully formed, like he was born effortlessly dropping interconnected triple-time rhyme schemes and was just waiting impatiently for the perfect beats to assign them to. On nearly every track here, the rapper displays technical prowess, humor, and advanced musicality in a way that's so relaxed, it's dizzying. Instead of some overnight sensation, however, this collection is the result of years of work, following multiple early mixtapes and a solid 2017 debut album, The Never Story. DiCaprio 2 surpasses everything the rapper offered before it, with his strengths in full focus at a level that can't help but remind of the career peaks of greats that came before him. J.I.D drew early comparisons to Kendrick Lamar for his similar wheezing voice and sometimes surreal arrangements, and there is a likeness at times. More than a similar flow, DiCaprio 2's vibrant instrumentals sometimes carry the same lushness as Kendrick's best tracks. On top of that, the sheer energy and versatility that unfolds over the course of the album recalls Lil Wayne's unstoppable run with the first three volumes of his Tha Carter series. In a similar fashion, J.I.D switches styles with a control so sturdy he can become playful with it. The clunky electro beat of "Mounted Up" is barely strong enough to contain his verbal acrobatics, and the J. Cole-assisted "Off Deez" is a series of lyrical backflips that stays catchy despite its blurry speed. When veterans show up for features, you can hear them realizing there's no phoning it in when they're in this strong of company. Cole, Method Man, Joey Bada$$, and A$AP Ferg all sound on their toes with fiery verses, but the album is largely occupied by J.I.D's boundless, emphatic intensity. Things stay engaging even when he experiments with smoky, downtempo jazz beats on "Workin' Out" or the East Coast golden era loops of "Skrawberries." Turning in seamlessly intricate flows and hyper-focused lyrics, J.I.D ascends to a higher plane on DiCaprio 2. Just as thrilling as it was to hear OutKast's supernatural talent or Danny Brown's unfettered charisma for the first time, hearing J.I.D's skills crystallize here holds a similar excitement. He approaches the album with the boundless frenzy of a child running for the playground when the recess bell rings -- single-minded, out of control, and grinning triumphantly through every line. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2019
Label:	Dreamville / Polydor
UPC:	0602577982071

Tracks

1. Frequency Change
2. Slick Talk
3. Westbrook
4. Off Deez
5. 151 Rum
6. Off Da Zoinkys
7. Workin Out
8. Tiiied
9. Skrawberries
10. Hot Box
11. Mounted Up
12. Just Da Other Day
13. Despacito Too
14. Hasta Luego

Album Credits

Performance Credits

JID   Primary Artist
Joey Bada$$   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
A$AP Ferg   Primary Artist
Ella Mai   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
6LACK   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Method Man   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
J. Cole   Primary Artist
BJ the Chicago Kid   Primary Artist,Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Joey Bada$$   Composer
A$AP Ferg   Composer
Marian Mereba   Composer
Ebony Oshunrinde   Composer
Frank Parra   Composer
Peter Mudge   Composer
Anthony Parrino   Composer
Tim Glover   A&R
Andrzej Zylis   Composer
Ella Mai   Composer
Kenneth Blume III   Composer
Ricardo Valentine   Composer
Destin Route   Composer
Chase Rose   Composer
Carson Guidicessi   Composer
Charles Elijah Carter-Callahan   Composer
Eian Parker   Composer
Jimmy Lee Weary   Composer
Suliman Chillis   Composer
Zayden Johnson   Composer
Zorro Golden-Roberts   Composer
Destin DiCaprio   Composer
Hector Castro   Engineer
Clara Shepherd   Composer
Tim Gomringer   Composer
Kevin Gomringer   Composer
Ron Gilmore   Composer
Derrick Hutchins Jr.   Composer
Jermaine Cole   Composer
Justin Bryant   Composer
Patrick Adams   Composer
Bob James   Composer
Billie Holiday   Composer
Arthur Herzog, Jr.   Composer
Barbara Wilson   Composer
Leonardo DiCaprio   Composer
Bobby Turner   Composer
Michael Kelly   Composer
Hale Smith   Composer
Emil Boyd   Composer
Jose Vaca Flores   Composer
Bryan Sledge   Composer
Raul Chirinos   Mixing,Engineer
Ken Blume   Composer
John Welch   Composer
Clifford Smith   Composer
David Jordan   Composer
Joel Cavazos   Composer