JID Blasts BET Over Snub, Calls J. Cole's Lyric "Ass"

JID is not holding back. The acclaimed rapper recently erupted on social media, first unleashing frustration over being completely shut out of the 2026 BET Awards nominations, then turning his sights on a lyric from his own label boss, J. Cole, dismissing it with a blunt, "that bar was ass."

The drama kicked off on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, when the nominations for the upcoming BET Awards were unveiled. Despite a string of critical successes and multiple Grammy nominations, JID, whose birth name is Destin Choice Route, found his name conspicuously absent from every category. This perceived slight prompted a swift and fiery response from the Atlanta native. He reportedly took to X, formerly Twitter, in a now-deleted post, declaring simply, "I hate BET." In another deleted tweet, he further lambasted the awards, writing, "5 Grammy nominations O @BET nominations/acknowledgment nothing.. n***** remix the same people every years at the BET awards."

The situation intensified when JID also publicly rejected a lyric from J. Cole, the head of his label, Dreamville Records. Cole, born Jermaine Cole, had released a four-track EP titled "Birthday Blizzard ’26" on January 27, 2026, a day before his 41st birthday. The project featured "99 Build Freestyle," where Cole rapped, "If Hip-Hop is back, JID should chart platinum / Anything less than that, it means y’all cappin." While seemingly a nod of respect, a fan's mention of the bar on social media spurred JID to react. He reportedly fired back in another deleted tweet, stating, "N#### ain’t say s###. I been overly platinum that bar was ass. I been overly platinum that bar was ass."

JID's disappointment with BET is not entirely new. The artist has previously expressed a deep, nostalgic desire for a BET Award nomination, stemming from his formative years watching the network. In a 2025 interview, he reportedly shared, "I just want one off of the nostalgia of watching BET. That was the birth of my love for Hip-Hop, BET and all those type of stations." At that time, he also questioned the network's recognition, stating, "I got three Grammy noms and no BET awards. What are we doing? What's up, Black people?"

The 2026 BET Awards are set to air live on Sunday, June 28, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. This year's nominations saw Cardi B leading the pack with six nods, followed closely by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist, who each secured five nominations. Other artists like Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto also received significant recognition, each garnering four nominations. The selections are made by the BET Voting Academy, which includes entertainment professionals and influential figures across various sectors. New categories, the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award, were also introduced to acknowledge broader cultural impact.

JID's assertion of being "overly platinum" is backed by his official RIAA certifications. His widely acclaimed single "Surround Sound," which features 21 Savage and Baby Tate, achieved platinum status from the RIAA on April 18, 2025. This track, originally released on January 14, 2022, as the lead single from his album The Forever Story, saw a significant resurgence in popularity in late 2023, largely due to its viral spread on TikTok. This renewed interest propelled the song to peak at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2024, solidifying its commercial success.

JID's career trajectory has been marked by consistent critical acclaim and a reputation for intricate lyricism and dynamic delivery. He officially joined J. Cole's Dreamville Records in 2017, a pivotal moment that followed the release of his debut mixtape, "The Never Story." Since then, he has released critically lauded albums such as "DiCaprio 2" in 2018 and "The Forever Story" in 2022. Beyond his solo work, JID is also a member of the musical collective Spillage Village and the hip-hop group Zoink Gang, showcasing his collaborative spirit and versatile artistry.

His talent has not gone unnoticed by the Recording Academy. JID received Grammy nominations in 2020 for both Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album. In 2022, he was recognized again with an Album of the Year nomination as a featured artist. His Grammy recognition continued into 2026, where he earned two additional nominations: Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wholeheartedly" and Best Rap Album for "God Does Like Ugly," further underscoring his standing in the industry despite the BET snub.

The directness of JID's social media posts, particularly his dismissal of a lyric from his own label head, has sparked considerable discussion among fans and industry observers. While his frustration with perceived industry oversight appears to be a long-standing sentiment, the public nature of his critique towards Cole has added a new layer of complexity to the Dreamville narrative. As of now, neither J. Cole nor Dreamville Records have issued any public statements or reactions concerning JID's deleted tweets.

This incident highlights a recurring tension within hip-hop: the struggle of critically acclaimed artists for mainstream award recognition and industry validation. JID's outspokenness reflects a broader sentiment among artists who feel their accomplishments are sometimes overlooked by traditional awards bodies, even as they garner significant fanbases and critical praise. His journey, from signing with a major label to achieving platinum certifications and Grammy nods, positions him as an artist whose success transcends conventional metrics, making his public frustration resonate with many who follow the culture.

The events underscore an ongoing conversation about how success is measured in hip-hop and the role of awards in shaping an artist's narrative. Whether this public venting leads to internal discussions within Dreamville or simply serves as a moment of catharsis for JID remains to be seen. What is clear is that the rapper is intent on ensuring his achievements are acknowledged, on his own terms.