Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Tall with hair that seems impossibly long, the Atlanta rapper, “2 Chainz” is an eccentric performer, never disappointing with his hip hop lyricism. Once upon a time, he was Tity Boi; which was not the most radio friendly name, but about a year ago he switched his name.
2 Chainz, originally of Playaz Circle played basketball at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala. Coming from the Southside of Atlanta, Playaz Circle came together as a compilation in the late 90’s. They released their debut album, and shortly after they were introduced to radio DJ Chris Lova Lova known as Ludacris through mutual friends. Unfortunately, Playaz Circle ran into a dead end. 2 Chainz was shot and Dolla Boy was incarcerated. Their careers were at a standstill.
After hearing their misfortune, Ludacris reached out and then signed them. After straying away from the Disturbing the Peace record label, 2Chainz created a different route for his career, and with the change came new life. He has found himself a new home and a prominent cultural mogul to work with.
2 Chainz is officially a Def Jam artist and he has been collaborating with Kanye West for the past year. This Chicago-Atlanta collaboration is one that may shake up the culture; knowing that both artists can learn from one another.
With the charisma or the lyrical ability to hold any listener, 2 Chainz has quickly become one of the hottest MC’s in Hip-Hop after a name change, guest appearances and a new Def Jam contract.
2 Chainz’s “Spend It” was placed as the hottest rap song of 2011 posting at number 7, according to RapRadar’s top 100 songs of 2011. But once T.I. added a verse for the remix, it was done. Over Atlanta producer, Drumma Boy’s magnetic beats, Tip delivered a sweet 16 bars that utterly complimented Chainz’s humorous rhymes, “I’m riding around on my side of town with my dubs up, and my wind down.” How can we forget the line ‘similac?’
In music, an artist can get hot at any moment with the right record. Being that he is known for his addictive club bangers, many students love his music.
“2 Chainz has good songs like most rappers in the game, but sometimes he just sounds completely incoherent; it just sounds so good, though,” said Jasmine Williams, a freshman biology major from Detroit, Mich.
“I love 2Chainz music. I am from Atlanta so before he hit mainstream, it was just local music. It’s crazy to see how different Atlanta artists come up. I was so use to his mixtapes now he is almost Hollywood,” said Rashon Jenning, a sophomore mass communications major from Atlanta, Ga.
Kenny Woods, a senior engineering major from Kansa City, Mo., said “Sometimes I feel as if I am the only one that thinks he deserves to be recognized as a true artist. He was seriously the most featured artist beside Future, like the dude was on everyone’s music, at least he’s making his money.”
“Griming,” according to an interview done by XXL magazine, is a mix of grinding and timing, and that is what 2 Chainz has been up to. From flooding the market with feature appearances, to doing over 120 shows in 2011, the Playaz Circle member has been rapidly introducing the rap world to his new persona, a hustle that has climaxed in his recent mixtape release, T.R.U. REALigion. And for the most part, the dedication has paid off.
