Originally written for publication on mieuxmag.com.
J.I.D lit up Tallahassee in an explosive performance for the first leg of the Catch Me If You Can Tour on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The East Atlanta playboy had all of Potbelly’s jumping to his jams from “The Never Story” and “DiCaprio 2” the entire night and even stuck around to sign a few autographs for eager fans.
The show opened up with artists Lou The Human and Hardo performing some of their hit songs followed by California rapper Reason taking the stage. Reason, recently signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, was most recently featured on the Black Panther soundtrack. As he held the room in his lyrical grasp with his elite storytelling, each member of the gradually growing audience began hanging onto his words. He shared the time that he found out his cousin had been stabbed ten times and was in a comatose state. The pain he felt so deeply was used to create a song so inspiring that not only did it get him signed to a big-time record company, but it also helped motivate his cousin in his healing. He reminded every person in that room to never stop dreaming because of his experience watching his own dreams materialize within just a year.
The positive energy brought to the stage by the openers was a perfect segue into J.I.D’s performance. The rising temperatures from the humid Florida night paired with the passion in the venue made for an insanely energetic show. “Okay Tallahassee, you turnt. It’s hot as a bitch right now already.” J.I.D had to ditch his shirt just a few songs in.
After warming up the crowd with a few favorites from The Never Story, the whole room was bumping by the time he had everyone singing along to “EdEddnEddy.” He slowed it down to give everyone a rest and shouted out fellow Atlanta rappers EarthGang before paying a touching tribute to Mac Miller, playing “Come Back to Earth.” After the energy break, he jumped right back into the show as fans greedily took all that “151 Rum” and “Off Deez” were blasting through the speakers. He wrapped up the show nicely with a flawless performance spitting “Despacito Too” off of his debut album.
J.I.D will kick off the second leg of the Catch Me If You Can tour in May 2019, and this time, the recent Dreamville Records signee will be alongside Chicago rapper Saba.