JID – God Does Like Ugly (Album Review)

‘God Does Like Ugly’ proves JID is the most underrated rapper climbing to superstardom.

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TOP 5

Honorable Mention. On McAfee

Ninjas are talking about antivirus applications now? Holy s**t!

Every era of JID could’ve birthed “On McAfee.” The track rides a bouncy, dark, uptempo beat that feels like it hopped on JID’s left shoulder to play the role of the devil whispering in his ear. An edgy, distorted chorus only fuels the chaos. What we get from JID is pure versatility—flows colliding with other flows, calm colliding with aggression. Lyrically, he vents his disdain for 12, affirms that he walks it like he talks it, and makes it clear he’s trained and ready for any war that shows up at his front door. Honestly, if you sprinkled in a few “ya ya ya ya yas” from ScHoolboy Q, this track would have me hitting the floor like the evil Holy Ghost just got to me.

Honorable Mention. Of Blue

I had about 19 epiphanies listening to this track.

“Of Blue” feels like a cinematic experience stretched over two and a half hours. The track unfolds in three distinct acts: a heartfelt moment featuring Mereba, a lively storytelling section with vibrant instrumentation and sharp, animated bars from JID, and a soul-stirring finale where JID delves deep into his resilience. It’s in this last segment that he switches into a truly unique flow, laying bare his emotions with striking intensity. Above all, “Of Blue” is an impressively powerful track that commands attention.

5. Sk8 (Ft. Ciara & EARTHGANG)

Do you know how hard I tried not to put this track in the top 5?

I’m not in love with Ciara’s vocals here. I’m not in love with EARTHGANG being on it either. And I feel like JID takes too much of a backseat. But man… the vibes are impeccable. This track has that vintage, mid-2000s crunk energy that’s flat-out irresistible. Pair that with JID’s dynamic flow, EARTHGANG’s confident bars, and you’ve got a recipe for a dope listen. And considering how hard “NOKIA” went, it makes perfect sense why I’m feeling this one.

4. For Keeps

Outros have been hitting as of late.

Want to hear a wild coincidence? This track reminds me of a few cuts from Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist’s Alfredo 2. And guess who appeared on that album? If you said Big Freedia, go ahead and reward yourself with three poisonous cookies.

“For Keeps” rides over an elegant, soulful, Ye-like beat that I’m sure would have The Alchemist swinging at the air, wishing he made it. JID delivers his verses with a style clear enough for you to catch every word, yet focused like Jamal Murray whenever he plays the Lakers. Lyrically, he reflects on being grateful for his diehard fans, keeping his head down, and continuing to make music despite people telling him he should’ve switched careers. The result is a track that’s genuine, easy to vibe to, and rooted in realness.

3. VCRs (Ft. Vince Staples)

Half of the people listening to this track do not know what a VCR is.

JID and Vince Staples are two rappers I could listen to endlessly—no hooks, no pauses, no filler—and that’s exactly what “VCRs” delivers. Over a hypnotic, uptempo beat that feels like it could charm a snake out of a vase, the two trade verses with seamless chemistry. Their tones, punchlines, and subject matter align perfectly as they recount the grim realities they’ve witnessed in their neighborhoods, while also touching on the mutual growth they expect from each other. “VCRs” is pure, uncut lyricism—a track built for listeners who crave nothing but raw, unfiltered bars.

2. Community (Ft. Clipse)

Someone must’ve hidden the chill pills from JID and Clipse.

I don’t know about you, but ever since Clipse dropped Let God Sort ’Em Out, hip-hop has felt as cold as it’s ever felt—and “Community” is no exception. The track rides over an extra chilly, lonely-as-hell beat that sounds like it’s been through multiple divorces and works 17-hour shifts. It’s the perfect bleak backdrop for the anti-heroes—JID, Pusha T, and Malice. JID opens with a gritty verse about his rough upbringing and how it shapes the way he navigates tough situations. Pusha follows with an ice-cold delivery, dropping razor-sharp cocaine references and painting scenes straight out of The Wire. Malice closes it all out, stone-faced, calling out those who don’t meet the street credentials to survive on his block. The whole track feels like a direct extension of the rawness we heard on Let God Sort ’Em Out—and I’m all for it.

1. WRK

Get your ass up!

“WRK” is packed with high-octane energy, powered by heavy-hitting drums, handclaps, a lively tempo, and even the voice of a ratchet woman in the background for added flavor. Over it all, JID glides with his signature tongue-twisting flows and razor-sharp wordplay. Lyrically, he taps into themes of hustle, resilience, growth, and silencing the haters—classic JID with a slightly heavier punch.

What really makes “WRK” stand out is the contrast between the booming production and JID’s smooth delivery. It’s that unique juxtaposition that makes the song some unforgettable s**t.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. YouUgly (Ft. Westside Gunn) (4/5)

2. Glory (4.5/5)

3. WRK (5/5)

4. Community (Ft. Clipse) (4.5/5)

5. Gz (4/5)

6. VCRs (Ft. Vince Staples) (4.5/5)

7. Sk8 (Ft. Ciara & EARTHGANG) (4/5)

8. What We On (Ft. Don Toliver) (4/5)

9. Wholeheartedly (Ft. 6LACK & Ty Dolla $ign) (4/5)

10. No Boo (Ft. Jessie Reyez) (3.5/5)

11. And We Vibing – Interlude (N/A)

12. On McAfee (Ft. Baby Kia) (4/5)

13. Of Blue (Ft. Mereba) (4/5)

14. K-Word (4/5)

15. For Keeps (5/5)

RGM RATING

(84%)

We’ve all been waiting for JID to make that definitive leap into superstardom, especially after the masterclass that was The Forever Story. On God Does Like Ugly, he flashes those A-list, Super Max-level moments—but still carries that underdog energy, like he’s climbing toward the peak rather than standing on it. That’s not necessarily a flaw; it’s part of his charm.

This album checks nearly every JID box: intricate, dizzying flows; layered storytelling; a touch of singing (though not enough); heavy representation for Atlanta; and a few stabs at a commercial sound. Whether you leave satisfied depends on what you’re looking for from him. For me, tracks like “WRK” hit the hardest—where he raps over chaotic, destructive beats, unleashing venomous bars while dissecting the production like a frog in science class. “Sk8” also stood out, with JID channeling pure Atlanta energy.

On the flip side, some songs took too long to kick in—or overstayed their welcome—and a few leaned into overly ambitious structures that didn’t quite land. His commercial swings, like “No Boo,” felt more forced than fluid. Still, when the dust settles, God Does Like Ugly is worth plenty of spins and feels crafted for a broader audience than ever before.

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