Musicians are barely getting a slice of music industry revenue, largely eating off of live performances instead. For ’Tour Tales,’ we dig into the rider requests, delayed shows, diligent preparation, and future of touring by talking with the multitude of people that move behind the scenes. Record executives, photographers, tour managers, artists, and more all break down what goes into touring and why it’s still so vital to the livelihood of your favorite artists. What happens on tour stays on ‘Tour Tales.’
Artists never really know how far their music travels until they tour. JID has reflected on how his live shows helped him appreciate the international reach of his music.
“I remember being in Prague. It was a crazy place. We sold it out. I don’t know nobody in Prague,” JID told REVOLT. “Places like that, when you get there, you’re like, ‘Oh shit, we really out here. Y’all really accepting the music and y’all care about it.’ So, it means it’s transcending and coming across a certain type of way.”
In this installment of “Tour Tales,” the rapper explains wrestling against Denzel Curry at Red Bull’s Zeltron World Wide, which “is a wrestling-inspired five-round bout between young vanguards of next-level lyricism. Artists step into the ring and go head-to-head in a rap blowout, attempting to one-up each other in a showcase of lyrical brinkmanship,” its website reads. JID also discusses Dicaprio 2, how he injured his voice on tour, and more. Read below!
You’re about to battle Denzel Curry by performing in a boxing ring. Are you planning to incorporate the ring in your performance?
Yeah. I’m going to try and fuck around to see what I can do.
You’re not going to backflip, are you?
I ain’t that bad. I ain’t did a backflip in about 13 years, though.
(Johnny Venus of EarthGang in the background: ‘Top rope on their ass.’)
You think I’m going to stick that landing? The landing is where it comes in at.
JID (left) on the top rope performing with Johnny Venus (left)
Ian Witlen/Red Bull Content Pool
Did you pick the songs for a competition or a performance?
Competition because I know he finna go crazy. He finna do ‘Ultimate.’ So, I’m going to have to bring the same energy. But, I got some of those. We in that alley, it’s gonna be lit.
Originally, you were supposed to do this on Jan. 28, but had to reschedule because you messed up your vocal chords on tour. What happened?
It puts a strain on your voice when you’re doing something like [performing]. It’s like a high ankle sprain to an athlete. It’s something that doesn’t go away. You know it’s kind of there, it doesn’t go away and then you tweak it, and then you have to take care of it. I was at the point I was like, ‘Alright, I need you to see what’s up because it’s like I got the high ankle sprain and then I played the next game, and I did that shit all year.
What about your music do you think translates well onstage?
I made the last album for stuff like this. DiCaprio 2 was made for performances. It’s made for people to go crazy to, wild out, and rage. So, this is good.
How did you prepare for this compared to a typical J.I.D. show?
The same mindset. It’s just getting your words [right]. Know the words and we’re good.
What was your favorite show on the ‘Catch Me If You Can Tour’?
It’s hard to pick favorite shows. I remember being in Prague. It was a crazy place. We sold it out. I don’t know nobody in Prague. It’s really pretty. Went to a bridge at the top mountain and shit like that, it’s really nice stuff. Places like that, when you get there, you’re like, ‘Oh shit, we really out here. Y’all really accepting the music and y’all care about it.’ So, it means it’s transcending and coming across a certain type of way. That is always a good feeling. It’s like one of the best feelings.
What are some of your deep album cuts that people loved on tour?
‘Just The Other Day’ and ‘Off Da Zoinkys,’ they really love that. The singing songs always come across.
What is on your rider?
A couple of days ago, I really just looked up and was like, ‘What the fuck is all of this shit in my room?’ So, I’m about to get that together, but you can see some white tees over there. That’s the most important right now. I got six white tees, medium, with the crew not the V because real niggas don’t V up. Not with the T-shirts at least.
How would you describe a JID show?
It’s lit. It’s a lot of words and stuff, but it’s energy. You can hear it and the people, you can feel it. You can see the rays of energy glowing from their heads.
The second annual Dreamville Festival is coming up. Any plans on what you’ll do there?
I’m going to figure it out. I haven’t really thought about the Dreamville Festival (laughs). I haven’t really thought about many shows lately.