“Skegee” is JID’s first true offering of 2021, following his three-track streaming debut of three previously heard songs two weeks earlier.

The song, an abbreviation of Tuskegee, speaks on the history of both the city and its historically black university. JID juxtaposes his life to historical events that involved Tuskegee, such as the infamous and inhumane Tuskegee Syphilis Study and JID’s personal experience being recruited to the university.

He also tackles other issues of the African American experience and provides his views on the ongoing mistreatment of black people in the United States. The bridges between each verse contain insightful excerpts from an elderly man who has witnessed the deep history of Tuskegee, and he provides the listener with insight and a sense of empowerment.

JID first announced the song via his Instagram about fifteen hours before its release. It came with a note thanking fans for their patience and explaining that he wanted to shed light on an important event in honor of Black History Month. He also stated that he had traveled to Tuskegee to film the music video.