JID’s Manager Jokes Album Won’t Release After Punch’s Advice

Dreamville fans have eagerly awaited the release of JID’s fourth album, Forever & A Day, for nearly two years now. Since JID’s announcement in August 2022, expectations have grown, but so has the waiting time. His initial release window, fall 2023, has come and gone, partly due to the announcement of another project — a joint album with Metro Boomin.

Although Metro Boomin reassured fans that the collaboration would still be released this year despite his busy schedule, recent comments from Top Dawg Entertainment President Punch might dash hopes for a 2024 release. Punch disclosed his “secret” to success during a light-hearted exchange on social media with JID’s manager, Barry Hefner.

In a response to a celebratory post by a SZA fan account hailing the longevity of her album SOS, which has spent 80 weeks at No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart, Punch simply wrote, “Insane.” Hefner then asked Punch for his secret, to which Punch replied with a strategy that has frustrated SZA fans: “The secret is… hold albums back.”

Hefner, fully aware of the joke, promised to use this tactic with Since The ’80s’ management roster, which includes JID. He responded, “TDE always holding their artists back from being successful,” referring to a common complaint about the California label’s unpredictable release schedule. Punch jovially agreed with Hefner and added, “JID fans finna get it now.”

So, for JID fans, it looks like Forever & A Day might indeed take forever and a day to drop. Blame SZA fans for keeping SOS in heavy rotation, even as they await its promised follow-up, Lana. This situation underscores the old adage that patience is a virtue.