REVIEW & Gallery: JID in San Francisco
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY ELIJAH CLOWER ☆
JID BROUGHT PURE CRAFTSMANSHIP TO SAN FRANCISCO’S MASONIC THEATRE ON HIS GOD DID LIKE PARADISE TOUR - delivering one of the most technically impressive and high-energy hip-hop shows of the year. No backing track, no filler—just straight flow state from start to finish. His breath control, articulation and consistency reminded everyone that live rap can still be a masterclass in precision. Every verse hit with purpose, every transition clean.
What makes JID stand out isn’t just his lyrical ability, it’s his presence. The crowd fed off his intensity, and he gave it right back, moving across the stage like someone fully locked into their element. Between songs, he took time to connect with fans, even staying after the set to sign everything he could before security had to wrap. It’s that kind of authenticity that makes his shows feel personal no matter the size of the venue.
There’s always debate about who sits at the top of the modern rap mountain, and while JID’s name is already well-respected in the industry, he still feels underappreciated to the general public in my eyes. Real rap almost seems like a niche these days, most people want a dope beat with a catchy hook so maybe that’s one reason he isn’t bigger than he should be who knows. Granted he’s not the type to care about rankings as he’s someone who’s just completely tapped into their craft and knows where he stands, but with each album, he makes his case louder. This year alone, he earned two Grammy nominations, for Best Rap Album and Best Melodic Rap Performance, cementing what many fans and creators have been saying for years: JID isn’t just in the conversation for top 10 best MCs right now—he’s definitely top 5 and where in that top 5 I’ll let your imagination do the rest.
