J.I.D Paints the Songs on His ‘DiCaprio 2′ Album

J.I.D has already proven himself to be a lyrical savant—just listen to his debut album, The Never Story, or his 2018 XXL Freshman freestyle if you're uninformed—so it's no surprise he can paint pictures with his words, literally. The East Atlanta-bred rapper showcases just how nice he is with the acrylics in XXL's Masterpiece series, as he paints his way through his sophomore album, DiCaprio 2. Just call him J.I.D Ross with the dreads.

The long-awaited project, a follow-up to 2015's DiCaprio, features collaborations with J. Cole ("Off Deez"), Method Man, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg ("Westbrook," which features some lyrics from his 2018 XXL Freshman cypher verse), 6lack, Ella Mai and BJ The Chicago Kid, and production from Christo, Kenny Beats, ChaseTheMoney, J. Cole, Wondagurl and Frankie P, among others. The impressive tracklist, beats ranging from aggressive bangers to soulful soundscapes and wild wordplay from the Dreamville Records signee—perfect for that next Instagram caption—induces a seal-of-approval screwface that solidifies the album is no sophomore slump.

DiCaprio 2 is one of the best rap albums of the year simply for its stellar lyrics and prodigious production. Take "Slick Talk" for example, an EWonder and Kenny Beats-produced track (those drums and beat switchup are crazy!) that sets the tone for the album. This is J.I.D's "shit-talking song." He's activated.

"I got a lotta shit to say, but I'ma keep my list short/I know a lotta your favorites not gon' fuck with this part/When I'm done, please know that I was trying to diss y'all/’Cause if this is a competition, then I'm setting this bar," the lyricist delivers in his signature smooth drawl over whistling production. The 28-year-old MC puts brush to paper to paint the way he pictures the song, which he began working on in 2015, as "a gunshot red dot." J.I.D's bars are blazing hot on this one.

With 14 tracks on the project, picking a personal favorite isn't easy, but this wordsmith narrows it down to one song that is "hella special" to him: "Skrawberries" featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. "J. Cole produced it, Ron Gilmore, Elite, who are part of like Dreamville, they produced on it, BJ The Chicago Kid did the hook, Masego played on it and Mac Miler arranged it," J.I.D. explains. "It's one of the greatest songs I ever made."

To give his supporters a better understanding of the track (the divine loop on this beat alone is a standout), the former college football star starts painting a strawberry as he spits some of the lyrics: "My girl booty soft and it shaped like a strawberry." The end result is what J.I.D calls a heartberry, which he ends up turning into the shape of a woman. For a song he created to celebrate how amazing women are (from his sisters to ex-girlfriends), it's a fitting artistic vision.

Watch the 2018 XXL Freshman get his Bob Ross on as he paints the tour de force that is his DiCaprio 2 album above.

See Photos of J.I.D Behind the Scenes at the 2018 XXL Freshman Class Cover Shoot