2 Chainz

2 Chainz, real name Tauheed K. Epps, was born in September of 1977 in College Park, Ga., right outside of Atlanta. He attended North Clayton High School, where he graduated second in his class. He later enrolled at Alabama State University on a college basketball scholarship and ultimately graduated from Virginia State University before fully pivoting to rap. After forming the hip-hop duo Playaz Circle in 1997, 2 Chainz—then known as Tity Boi—was introduced to Ludacris, who eventually asked the duo to sign with his label, Disturbing Tha Peace, a subsidiary of Def Jam Records. Playaz Circle’s debut album, Supply & Demand, was released in 2007. The lead single, ”Duffle Bag Boy” featuring Lil Wayne, became an underground hit.

After changing his rap name to 2 Chainz, which he deemed more “family friendly,” he decided to embark on a solo career. In 2012, he released his first solo album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, anchored by the Drake-assisted single, “No Lie.” The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, was nominated in the Best Rap Album category at the 55th Grammy Awards and earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2016.

2 Chainz has released six additional studio albums, including 2017’s Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, another platinum record. The album featured high-profile contributions from the likes of Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Swae Lee, Migos, Jhené Aiko and Pharrell Williams as well as production by Murda Beatz, Mike WiLL Made-It and Mike Dean, among others.

2 Chainz has also proven to be a savvy businessman and entrepreneur. In 2016, he launched a hoodies line called CEO Millionaires (short for Create Every Opportunity Millionaires) and a sweaters line, Dabbing Sweaters. He also acquired a minority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, in 2019. Other ventures include hosting the VICE TV show, Most Expensivest, and two Esco Restaurant & Tapas establishments, one in Atlanta and another in Ohio.

Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Hip-hop was versatile on Instagram this week. With many rappers showing love and others throwing it back with one of a kind photos, it's definitely something you want to check out! Take a look!
Best Hip-Hop Tweets Of The Week 11/3-11/9
Best Hip-Hop Tweets Of The Week 11/3-11/9
Best Hip-Hop Tweets Of The Week 11/3-11/9
As always hip-hop was quite entertaining on twitter this past week. However, some were certainly more prevalent than the rest, with Maybach Music Group adding on 2 new signees and Hopsin randomly revealing his entire tracklist in the midst of a breakdown, there was certainly a mix of good and bad on the social network...
2 Chainz Is Helping Raise Canned Goods For The Holidays
2 Chainz Is Helping Raise Canned Goods For The Holidays
2 Chainz Is Helping Raise Canned Goods For The Holidays
This past week 2 Chainz helped raise 4,000 in canned goods for charity in Detroit and according to the rapper, it's jut the beginning as he plans to continue to help raise food over the holidays. The initiative comes after the B.O.A.T.S: Me Time rapper came out with a cookbook on his latest effort, encouraging listeners to maintain healthy eating habits...
Don’t Mess With 2 Chainz’ Time On Stage
Don’t Mess With 2 Chainz’ Time On Stage
Don’t Mess With 2 Chainz’ Time On Stage
Although many are privy to what goes down on the stage at concerts, sometimes what goes on behind the scenes unveils a lot more elements than one would imagine. As many witnessed 2 Chainz kill the stage at Powerhouse, performing many of his crowd favorites, concert-goers were unaware that the rapper was actually a little irritated towards the end of his performance...
B.o.B’s New Album Tracklisting
B.o.B’s New Album Tracklisting
B.o.B’s New Album Tracklisting
With the release date right around the corner, B.o.B unveiled the tracklisting for his upcoming LP. Titled Underground Luxury, the effort, dubbed his best work yet will serve as a follow up to 2011's Strange Clouds. Dropping December 17, the project will entail features from Future, Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, T...
Powerhouse 2013 Was Crazy!
Powerhouse 2013 Was Crazy!
Powerhouse 2013 Was Crazy!
Powerhouse hit the East Coast this time, shutting things down in Brooklyn at the Barclay's Center. With hip-hop coming through like a mega force, everyone and their momma graced the stage including BK's own Lil Kim. ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, the A$AP Mob, K...
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Instagrams Of The Week
As Halloween was this week, Instagram was flooded with photos of hip-hop's creative costumes. With many paying homage and others draped in quite wacky apparel, the costumes got quite interesting to say the least. Check it out!
Kendrick Lamar, Lil Kim Are Hip-Hop’s Royalty At Powerhouse 2013
Kendrick Lamar, Lil Kim Are Hip-Hop’s Royalty At Powerhouse 2013
Kendrick Lamar, Lil Kim Are Hip-Hop’s Royalty At Powerhouse 2013
Hip-hop royalty is a coveted position. Ever since Kendrick Lamar claimed he was the King of New York, the post-“Control” era has got the game shaken up. MCs are now firing back with every opportunity to prove him wrong. Meek Mill did in Philadelphia when he closed out Power 99’s annual concert  by tweeting, “I cheated with the home court advantage lol @kendricklamar.” In similar fashion, Fabolo...
2 Chainz And Iggy Azalea Are Not Making A Sex Tape
2 Chainz And Iggy Azalea Are Not Making A Sex Tape
2 Chainz And Iggy Azalea Are Not Making A Sex Tape
Despite rumors that 2 Chainz is out to make a sex tape and has chosen Iggy Azalea as his mate, the rapper denies the scenario, setting the truth straight once and for all. Explaining that he never said he wanted her in his video and that all he ever did was agree that she is "Dope...
XXL Dresses Up For Halloween
XXL Dresses Up For Halloween
XXL Dresses Up For Halloween
It's Halloween at the XXL Offices and we are in a festive mood! In celebration of the holiday, our staff decided to dress up today as our favorite hip-hop artist for the day. If you are looking for a last-minute idea of who to go as for Halloween, we humbly suggest these particular options...
Mike WiLL Made It’s 25 Best Beats So Far
Mike WiLL Made It’s 25 Best Beats So Far
Mike WiLL Made It’s 25 Best Beats So Far
A song erupts at the club, and you lose your fucking mind. You hear Miley Cyrus’ voice and then you feel instantly ashamed. The basslines, the pop-friendly hums, the slight air of synths. You’re confused, but then you hear a whisper along the soundscape that says, “Mike WiLL Made-It…” It wasn’t all too long ago before Mike WiLL catapulted onto the scene with a whole new batch of beats for everyon
2 Chainz Explains The Origin Of Trapping
2 Chainz Explains The Origin Of Trapping
2 Chainz Explains The Origin Of Trapping
When it comes to trapping, 2 Chainz insists that no one knows the term better than himself. Explaining the origin of the term on Jay Z's Life+Times "Decoded" series, the rapper stakes claim to the saying, claiming that the hoods of Atlanta were the founders of the trap movement...

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