ReviewsListsDiscographyArtistsGenresCover ArtAbout
Discography Ranked

All JID Albums Ranked Best to Worst (2026)

JID has released four studio albums, and this page ranks all four, from The Never Story (2017) to God Does Like Ugly (2025). His early self-released mixtapes, EPs such as 2015's DiCaprio, the Spillage Village group albums with EarthGang and others, and the Dreamville compilations are not ranked.

JID4 albums6 min readUpdated October 2026Hip-Hop

Quick Take

Consensus PeakThe Forever StoryHis best-reviewed album, a family memoirBest Entry PointDiCaprio 2Pure rapping, start to finish, no fillerThe DebutThe Never StoryForty tight minutes from East Atlanta

Why it ranks here

The Forever Story is JID's most ambitious album: fifteen songs about his family, his siblings and his East Atlanta upbringing, sequenced like a memoir. The production is wide-ranging — Kaytranada and JD Beck on "Can't Punk Me", BadBadNotGood on "Stars", James Blake on "Lauder Too" — yet Christo's hand keeps it coherent. It scored 83 on Metacritic, his best, and critics singled out its ambition and introspective writing.

Context

His third studio album, released August 26, 2022 through Dreamville and Interscope, nearly four years after DiCaprio 2; it debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Raydar
  • Dance Now
  • Surround Sound
  • Kody Blu 31
  • Sistanem

Weak Spots

  • At almost an hour, the back third is less urgent than the opening run
  • HipHopDX felt it was technically sound but did not break the mold

Production

Christo · Kaytranada · James Blake · BadBadNotGood · DJ Khalil · Monte Booker

Read our full The Forever Story review →

Influence

Moved JID from Dreamville's sharpest rapper to a full album-maker, and its guest list — Lil Wayne, Yasiin Bey, Ari Lennox, 21 Savage — showed how widely he was respected.

Replay Value

High — "Raydar" and "Surround Sound" travel on their own, and the family songs deepen with each listen.

Why it ranks here

DiCaprio 2 is JID at full speed. Hosted by DJ Drama and built largely on Christo beats, it turns every track into a contest: "Slick Talk" and "151 Rum" are breathless, "Off Deez" with J. Cole is a flow clinic, and "Hot Box" puts him next to Method Man and Joey Badass without being outshone. Metacritic logged an 80, and AllMusic gave it four and a half stars.

Context

Released November 26, 2018 through Dreamville, Interscope and Spillage Village as a sequel to his 2015 EP DiCaprio; it peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Slick Talk
  • 151 Rum
  • Off Deez
  • Skrawberries
  • Hot Box

Weak Spots

  • The second half has fewer standouts than the first
  • Little thematic glue beyond competition

Production

Christo · J. Cole · Kenny Beats · ChaseTheMoney · Elite · Hollywood JB

Read our full DiCaprio 2 review →

Influence

Established JID as the technical standard-bearer of his class; Mac Miller's co-production on "Skrawberries" gives it an added poignancy.

Replay Value

Very high — the rapping alone rewards repeat listens.

Why it ranks here

God Does Like Ugly takes its title from something his late grandmother told him, and it is his most abrasive record. "Glory" over Lex Luger drums and "Community" with Clipse hit hard, and "VCRs" with Vince Staples is a highlight. But with Westside Gunn, Ciara, Don Toliver, Ty Dolla Sign, Jessie Reyez and more crowding the tracklist, it lacks The Forever Story's focus; Metacritic logged a 73, and Paste heard a step down from the promise of The Forever Story.

Context

His fourth studio album, released August 8, 2025 through Dreamville and Interscope; it peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 68th Grammy Awards.

Highlights

  • YouUgly
  • Glory
  • Community
  • VCRs
  • K-Word

Weak Spots

  • The many features dilute his own voice
  • Mid-album R&B turns stall the momentum

Production

Christo · Childish Major · Lex Luger · Pluss · Boi-1da · Jay Versace

Influence

His first Grammy nomination for an album confirmed his standing, even if critics preferred its predecessor.

Replay Value

Good — best taken in pieces, starting with the opening run.

Why it ranks here

The Never Story introduced JID's high-pitched, shape-shifting flow over forty tight minutes about growing up in East Atlanta. "Never" and "EdEddnEddy" show the speed, "Hereditary" the family detail, and J. Cole's production on "D/vision" and "Lauder" ties it to Dreamville. It is the least distinctive record here — the beats are solid rather than memorable — but the voice is already fully formed.

Context

Released March 10, 2017 through Dreamville, Spillage Village and Interscope, weeks after his signing to Dreamville was announced; it debuted at No. 197 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Never
  • EdEddnEddy
  • D/vision
  • Hereditary
  • Lauder

Weak Spots

  • Production is serviceable more than striking
  • Shorter tracks like "8701" feel like sketches

Production

Christo · Childish Major · Hollywood JB · J. Cole · Frank Dukes

Influence

Put JID on the national map and set up the Never Had Shit tour with EarthGang.

Replay Value

Moderate — "Never" and "EdEddnEddy" are the returns.

Essay

The Complete Picture

JID's catalog is short and unusually strong. DiCaprio 2 is the record that proved he could out-rap almost anyone; The Forever Story is the one that proved he could build an album around his own family history. The Never Story and God Does Like Ugly sit a step lower, the first for being a promising sketch and the second for spreading its focus across a long guest list.

Start with DiCaprio 2 if you want the technical fireworks, then The Forever Story for the full scope of what he can do.

Read next
Full artist profile →More discographies →Latest reviews →

JID Albums in Order

  1. 2017The Never StoryRanked #4
  2. 2018DiCaprio 2Ranked #2
  3. 2022The Forever StoryRanked #1
  4. 2025God Does Like UglyRanked #3

JID Albums: Common Questions

What is the best JID album?
We rank The Forever Story (2022) as the best JID album, with a score of 8.7/10: A family epic that turned a technician into an auteur.
How many JID albums are ranked here?
This ranking covers 4 JID projects, released between 2017 and 2025.
What is the earliest JID album in this ranking?
The Never Story (2017) is the earliest release in this list. We rank it #4.
What is the most recent JID album in this ranking?
God Does Like Ugly (2025) is the most recent release in this list. We rank it #3.
Which JID album is ranked lowest?
The Never Story (2017) sits at #4 with a score of 7.6/10.