Album Review: God Does Like Ugly, JID

God Does Like ugly album cover.

Rapper JID delivers his long awaited 4th Studio Album, detailing his journey through his life in Atlanta and showcasing his amazing technical rapping ability.

“It’s been a long time coming”. A line from Atlanta rapper Destin Choice Route, more popularly known as JID said in the first verse on the intro song “YouUgly” which as a fan, I feel is the perfect way to start this review. The album “God Does Like Ugly” is JID’s 4th Studio Album.

His previous studio album, The Forever Story released in 2022 making this be his first album in 3 years. Originally, JID had planned to release music throughout 2024, likely in preparation for the forthcoming album. He instead ended up taking time off for the whole year before debuting the lead single “WRK” on April 18, 2025. Weeks later on May 8th, he would then announce the title of this album and confirm its release date. He would drop GDLU(Preluxe) on July 4th as a teaser of the project with 4 songs on that EP before releasing the album on August 8th, 2025.

In terms of the album itself, JID shows a lot of growth from the previous bodies of work he had released. He starts the album with a very noteworthy set of lines, saying “Live from the depths of hell with angel wings that have yet to flail, And fans argue 'bout record sales like they record exec's themselves, It's like we all under a spell and still, I hope this message reaches you well” critiquing how fans often care more about commercial value than they do the quality of the product itself. On track 2 titled “Glory”, in which he discusses his changes in his life whilst “giving the glory to God”. To reflect his Christian Upbringing further, The beat itself has a choir sampled within it, A Pastor’s speech is added as an interlude multiple times within the track, and JID does not curse or swear for the entire 3 minutes and 57 seconds of the song’s run time.

JID captured in a contemplative pose, surrounded by blurred figures that create a dynamic and introspective atmosphere, highlighting the intensity of expression and inked details.

This album also has some standout features throughout. Hip Hop duo Clipse(Pusha T and Malice) both provide verses in the track “Community”. In that song Pusha T talks about the over-prescription to children in lower income areas, citing how it alters how they process emotions: “Crazy how we hopscotch and Double-Dutch danger, 'Tween ADHD and all the pills that you gave us, How we supposed to process this anger?”. Malice within his verse says “Some were Jesus Shuttlesworth, Some of us were Nasirs”, referring to how for many, the only way out of poverty is through music and sports whilst also making references to his christian background as well (Jesus Shuttlesworth is the character Ray Allen plays in the movie, “He got game” and Nasir being a reference to rapper Nas who has often referred to himself as “God’s son”). Sk8 features Ciara and fellow labelmates, Earthgang. That song offers less detailed subject matter but is a love letter to Atlanta’s skater culture it is famous for, all over 90s inspired beat.

My personal favorite songs are VCRs and For Keeps. On VCRs, JID and Vince Staples speaking on corrupt consumerism and Atlanta threats, over a lower tempo beat, It highly showcases both of their technical rapping ability. For Keeps, the outro of the album, is essentially a thank you to the fans who have stuck with JID through the trials and tribulations of his career. He states “So this is for the diehards and casuals alike, That press play soon as the clock strikes midnight, Hit up all my posts with the comments and likes, First on the site tryna cop the merchandise, Could damn near recite every single verse I write, Or bought tix to see me on the stage with the mic, And tell mе after the show how my songs changed your lifе, It's y'all energy that's keepin' on the lights”. He closes the track and the album out saying in simpler terms that despite the problems he’s experienced, he loves what he’s done and “is addicted to the game”. He also reveals at the very end that he is now a father, and you hear his child respond to him in a heart-warming exchange (“Daddy got the best bars in the world?” “Yes”)

In totality, this is one of the best releases of the year. It works not only as a great showcase into the ability JID possesses, whilst also being palatable to new fans of his and old fans alike.