DiCaprio 2
DiCaprio 2 is the second studio album by American rapper JID, hosted by DJ Drama. It was released on November 26, 2018, by Dreamville Records, Interscope Records and Spillage Village.[1] The album serves as the follow up to his debut album, The Never Story (2017), and a sequel to his extended play DiCaprio (2015). The album was supported by two singles: "151 Rum" and "Off Deez" with J. Cole.
DiCaprio 2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 26, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2015−2018 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 50:09 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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JID chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Original cover | ||||
Singles from DiCaprio 2 | ||||
The album features guest appearances from 6LACK, ASAP Ferg, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ella Mai, J. Cole, Joey Badass and Method Man. Production of DiCaprio 2 was handled by a variety of record producers, including Christo, J. Cole, Elite, Nice Rec, Hollywood JB, WondaGurl, Kenny Beats, Skhye Hutch, Ron Gilmore, ChaseTheMoney and the late Mac Miller among others, contributing to the album.
The album explores a variety of topics including competition, loyalty, criticism, depression, drug abuse and women's empowerment. It also touches on other topics such as gang violence, African-American culture, and love.
Background
JID said that each song on the album feels "like an individual film", and rapper Mac Miller helped post-produce and arrange almost every song on the album before his untimely death.[2] JID was supposed to serve as an opening act for Mac Miller on his Swimming Tour, but the tour was cancelled.[2] JID has also said that rapper J. Cole helped him work on the storytelling for this album.[3] The album experienced several delays due to issues with sample clearances.[4]
Artwork and title
On September 15, 2018, JID revealed promotional artwork for the album. The design draws inspiration from the film Inception (2010), and is a replica of the "spinning top" which never quite stops as the movie comes to an end.[5] On October 31, 2018, J.I.D revealed what was then billed as the album's official artwork, which features Konrad Annerud, a model and look-alike of actor and film producer Leonardo DiCaprio.[6] The album was released on November 26, 2018 with the cover of the DiCaprio look-alike as the official artwork, but was mysteriously changed a week later on streaming services to the alternate artwork which features JID in the form of a golden statuette holding a number two and was inspired by the iconic Academy Awards statuette.[7] JID later confirmed that the artwork featuring the golden statuette was the new official cover for the album and explained the change of artwork to fans on Twitter saying, "That artwork is what the artwork was supposed to be upon release but they couldn't change until after we dropped for upload reason."[7][8]
The album's title was inspired by DiCaprio; JID has cited DiCaprio as his favorite actor.[9] JID's manager Zekiel "Zeke" Nicholson explained why the album is an interesting contrast between the artist and actor:
The DiCaprio theme is really an ode in the biggest way. You don't know what movie DiCaprio is going to be in. What you expect is a performance at the end of the day. That's kind of the mantra we went with for this project: let's give them a bunch of different movies. But in these movies the performances are high-level. These are movies that deserve to be rewarded.[10]
Release and promotion
On October 31, 2018, to celebrate his birthday, JID revealed the album's release date.[6] On November 11, 2018, JID revealed the album's tracklist, blurring out the album's remaining features, other than J. Cole on already released single, "Off Deez".[11] JID revealed the remaining features on November 15.[12] On November 19, 2018, JID released the album's trailer. In the trailer, JID depicts six scenes from DiCaprio's films: Inception, The Revenant, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Titanic, Django Unchained, and The Aviator, with album instrumentals for each scene.[13]
JID announced the first leg of his Catch Me If You Can tour on December 4, 2018, in support of the album. Leg one begun on January 22, 2019 in Eugene, Oregon and conclude in New Orleans on March 23, 2019.[14] Reason, Lou The Human and Hardo served as opening acts on the first leg of the tour.[15] The second leg of the tour was announced on February 12, 2019, Saba, Mereba, Deante' Hitchcock and Mez served as supporting acts.[16]
Singles
On September 16, 2018, JID announced the album's first single titled, "151 Rum".[17] The single was released on September 19.[18][19] The song was produced by Christo and Nice Rec.[20] The music video was released on May 1, 2019.[21]
On November 4, 2018, JID announced the album's second single, "Off Deez" featuring J. Cole.[22] The song was released on November 6, and was produced by ChaseTheMoney, with additional production from Dro Fe.[23] The music video for "Off Deez" was released on December 4, 2018, and was directed by Cole Bennet. The video features a cameo from rapper Joey Badass.[24]
Other songs
"Hasta Luego" was originally released on July 11, 2017. The song was initially recorded for his debut album, The Never Story (2017).[25] On October 3, 2018, JID premiered the song "Workin Out" on A COLORS SHOW.[26] On November 28, 2018, JID performed "Skrawberries" on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with BJ the Chicago Kid, paying tribute to the late Mac Miller.[27] On March 6, 2019, JID released the music video for "Off da Zoinkys", directed by Scott Lazer. The music video recreates the opening tracking shot from Robert Altman's 1973 film The Long Goodbye, based on Raymond Chandler's 1953 novel of the same title. The video stars actor and singer Ansel Elgort playing Philip Marlowe.[28]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 80/100[29] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
HotNewHipHop | 87%[31] |
Comm Radio | |
Pitchfork | 7.7/10[33] |
Highsnobiety | |
HipHopDX | |
Exclaim! | 9/10[36] |
DiCaprio 2 was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 80, based on six reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[29] Writing for Uproxx, Aaron Williams praised the album calling it "the blueprint for the next generation of talent in the rap game". He continued saying: "DiCaprio 2 is a masterclass in the good things that happen when an up-and-coming talent takes the game seriously enough to work on the skills. JID's one of those rappers who'd be compelling on his own; his story, voice, and charisma are all enough to make him a star almost by default."[37] Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop gave the album an 87% rating saying, "DiCaprio 2 has positioned him for something truly monumental. It might be too early to count him among the game's best current lyricists. But then again, there's no time like the present."[31]
In a positive review from HipHopDX, Scott Glaysher said, "As cliché as it sounds, there is something for everyone and their mother on DiCaprio 2. J.I.D. breaks the mold originally set by J. Cole, takes all the best parts and mixes them with his own distinctive practice and pitch that work seamlessly with the array of trap and soulful beats (Thanks Christo and company)."[35] Jonah Bromwich of Pitchfork complimented the sounds of each track with noting that "J.I.D's melodic instincts are strong, sharing ties with Isaiah Rashad and even, occasionally, Bone Thugs, and he has the ability to get jokes off even in the midst of triple-time rapping, a la Big L or Lil Wayne.[33] Eric Lowers of Exclaim! admired its concept of the whole body of work saying "Dicaprio 2 exemplifies what the ideal student of the game sounds like — someone who's conscious of how a hook presents itself, how to control their delivery and how to diversify their lyrical bonds. He added that "Though J.I.D isn't as seasoned as Leonardo DiCaprio just yet, he is the inception of what makes someone the G.O.A.T.".[36] Jerome Taylor of Comm Radio praised the albums details saying that "Although the most remarkable aspect of the album is J.I.D's technical lyrical ability, he also showcases the ability to provide social commentary, be introspective, and deliver impressive R&B cuts during the middle of DiCaprio 2".
Accolades
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Billboard | The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2018: Critics' Picks | 17 |
|
Complex | The Best Albums of 2018 | 20 |
|
HotNewHipHop | Top 30 Hottest Hip-Hop Albums of 2018 | 7 |
|
NPR Music | 50 Best Albums of 2018 | 48 |
|
Rolling Stone | 30 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2018 | 13 |
|
Vibe | The 30 Best Albums Of 2018 | 11 |
Commercial performance
With only four days of tracking, the album sold 16,970 album-equivalent units in the first week, debuting at number 41 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 21 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[44]
In other media
The track "Skrawberries" appeared on the 2019 video game NBA 2K20.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Frequency Change" |
| Christo | 0:59 |
2. | "Slick Talk" |
|
| 4:29 |
3. | "Westbrook" (with ASAP Ferg) |
| Christo | 3:57 |
4. | "Off Deez" (with J. Cole) |
|
| 3:33 |
5. | "151 Rum" |
|
| 2:38 |
6. | "Off da Zoinkys" |
| Christo | 3:28 |
7. | "Workin Out" |
|
| 3:46 |
8. | "Tiiied" (featuring 6lack and Ella Mai) |
|
| 4:04 |
9. | "Skrawberries" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) |
| 3:38 | |
10. | "Hot Box" (featuring Method Man and Joey Badass) |
|
| 4:51 |
11. | "Mounted Up" |
|
| 3:02 |
12. | "Just Da Other Day" |
|
| 3:49 |
13. | "Despacito Too" |
| Frankie P. | 4:14 |
14. | "Hasta Luego" (Bonus) | 3:41 | ||
Total length: | 50:09 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer
- ^[b] signifies an uncredited producer
- "Skrawberries" was originally titled "Skrawberries (For Da Ladies)"
- "Off Deez", "Off da Zoinkys", "Hot Box", "Mounted Up", and "Just Da Other Day" features additional vocals by DJ Drama
- "Workin Out" features additional vocals by Zack Fox and Ayden
- "Tiied" features additional vocals by Yung Baby Tate and Mereba
- "Despacito Too" features additional vocals by Zayden Johnson
Sample credits
- ”Off Deez” contains a sample from “Esclavo Y Amo” written by José Flores and performed by Los Pasteles Verdes.
- "Off da Zoinkys" contains a sample from "I'm So Grateful (Keep In Touch)" written by Clara Shepherd and Jimmy Weary and performed by Crowns of Glory.
- "Workin Out" contains a sample from "Don't Explain" written by Arthur Herzog and Billie Holiday and performed by Helen Merrill.
- "Skrawberries" contains a sample from "No If's &'s or But's" written by Patrick Adams and Louis David and performed by J. J. Barnes.
- "Hot Box" contains a sample from "I Love Music" written by Hale Smith and Emil Boyd and performed by Ahmad Jamal Trio.
- "Tiiied" contains a sample from "Happy Turnout" written and performed by Andrzej Zylis.
- "Despacito Too" contains a sample from "Earth Tones" written by Bob James and performed by Grove Washington Jr.
Personnel
Instrumentation
- Sebastian Ramirez − bass (track 7)
- Masego − saxophone (track 9)
Technical
- Raul Chirinos − mixing (tracks 2−14), recording (track 5, 7, 8, 10, 13)
- Juro "Mez" Davis − mixing (tracks 1−4, 6, 8-10, 13), recording (track 7, 8)
- John "Christo" Welch − recording (track 1)
- Chris Athens − mastering (all tracks)
- Hector Castro − recording (track 2, 3, 10, 11, 13)
- Malcolm McCormick − recording arranger (track 7−9, 12)
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[45] | 142 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[46] | 52 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[47] | 184 |
Irish Albums (IRMA)[48] | 85 |
US Billboard 200[49] | 41 |
References
- Findlay, Mitch (March 22, 2018). "J.I.D. Announces New Project "DiCaprio 2"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- Coleman II, C. Vernon (September 16, 2018). "Mac Miller Helped JID Post-Produce Songs on 'DiCaprio 2' Album". XXL. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- Williams, Sam (September 19, 2018). "J.I.D Is Winning at Life By Feeding Off Your Energy". Complex. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- Ibrahim Hamad (October 29, 2018). "DiCaprio2 done, We just had some sample issues that are now being fixed. Lay off my dawg @jidsv he about to give ya some shiiitttt". Twitter. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- Ch, Devin (September 15, 2018). "J.I.D Shares "Inception-Inspired" Cover Art For His Upcoming Album "DiCaprio 2"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- Jahmal, Karlton (October 31, 2018). "J.I.D Announces "DiCaprio 2" Release Date With New Album Artwork". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch. "JID Forced To Change "DiCaprio 2" Artwork, Resulting In Sales Loss". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- JID (December 6, 2018). "That artwork is what the artwork was supposed to be upon release but they couldn't change until after we dropped for upload reason". Twitter. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- Strauss, Matthew (August 26, 2015). "J.I.D. Talks About Atlanta, Kendrick, DiCaprio". Inverse. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
- Phillips, Yoh (November 12, 2018). "J.I.D Wants to Take You to the Movies". DJBooth. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- "J.I.D Drops 'DiCaprio 2' Album Tracklist and Production Credits". XXL. November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (November 15, 2018). "J.I.D's "DiCaprio 2" Features Method Man, Joey Bada$$, & Ella Mai". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (November 19, 2018). "J.I.D. Paints Nudes & Runs From Vengeful Archers In "DiCaprio 2" Trailer". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- Zidel, Alex (December 4, 2018). "J.I.D Announces Dates For "Catch Me If You Can" Tour". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- "Catch Us If You Can: @reasontde - @trapnhardo - @louthehuman - 2nd Leg Announcement Coming Soon!". Instagram. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
- Findlay, Mitch (February 12, 2019). "J.I.D. Announces New String Of "Catch Me If You Can" Tour Dates". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- Chapman, Brynjar (September 16, 2018). "J.I.D Announces First Single From Upcoming Project "Dicaprio2"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- Espinoza, Joshua (September 19, 2018). "Listen to J.I.D's New Single "151 Rum"". Complex. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- JIDVevo (September 19, 2018). "J.I.D - 151 Rum". YouTube. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ""151 Rum" A Film by @JIDsv - produced by Pittsburgh's own @OhChristo + @NiceRec - art direction by @FredLozano - 10/19/18". Twitter. September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Price, Joe (May 1, 2019). "J.I.D Shares Dark and Intense Video for "151 Rum"". Complex. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- Findlay, Mitch (November 2, 2018). "J.I.D. & J. Cole Absolutely Spaz In New Song Preview". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- Jahmal, Karlton (November 6, 2018). "J.I.D & J. Cole Lay Down A Lyrical Massacre On "Off Deez"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- A., Aron (December 4, 2018). "J.I.D & J. Cole Link Up For "Off Deez" Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
- Fresh, Mikey (July 11, 2017). "J.I.D Debuts A Page From His Verbal Diary On "Hasta Luego"". Vibe. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (October 3, 2018). "J.I.D Sets The Jazz Bar Ablaze On "Working Out"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- Jahmal, Karlton (November 28, 2018). "J.I.D & BJ The Chicago Kid Perform "Skrawberries" On "The Tonight Show"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- "Watch J.I.D's "Off Da Zoinkys" Video Starring Ansel Elgort as Philip Marlowe". Spin.
- "DiCaprio 2 by J.I.D Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- Thomas, Fred (November 26, 2018). "DiCaprio 2 - J.I.D." AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (November 28, 2018). "JID "DiCaprio 2" Review". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- Taylor, Jerome (December 1, 2018). "J.I.D. – DiCaprio 2 Album Review". Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
- Bromwich, Jonah. "J.I.D: DiCaprio 2 Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- Alston, Trey (December 6, 2018). "J.I.D Makes a Compelling Case for Elite Status With 'DiCaprio 2'". Highsnobiety. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- Glaysher, Scott (December 10, 2018). "Review: J.I.D.'s "DiCaprio 2" Serves Up A Creative Cocktail Of Rapping". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- Lowers, Erin (December 12, 2018). "J.I.D - Dicaprio 2 review". Exclaim!. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- Aaron, Williams (November 27, 2018). "JID's 'DiCaprio 2' Is The Blueprint For The Next Generation Of Talent In The Rap Game". Uproxx. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- Billboard Staff (December 21, 2018). "The 20 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2018: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
- "The Best Albums of 2018". Complex. December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (December 4, 2018). "Top 30 Hottest Hip-Hop Albums Of 2018". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- "50 Best Albums of 2018". NPR. December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- "30 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2018". Rolling Stone. December 26, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
- "The 30 Best Albums Of 2018". Vibe. December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- "Hip Hop Album Sales: Tekashi 6ix9ine's "Dummy Boy" Catapults to Billboard 200 Glory". 2018-12-03.
- "Ultratop.be – J.I.D – DiCaprio 2" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- "Canadian Albums: December 8, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – J.I.D – DiCaprio 2" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- "Irish Albums Chart: 30 November 2018". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- "Billboard 200: December 8, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
Further reading
- Phillips, Yoh (November 12, 2018). "J.I.D Wants to Take You to the Movies". DJBooth.