2 Chainz doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Born Tauheed Epps, the College Park, Georgia rapper says so himself in the chorus to last year’s “Threat 2 Society,” a song reflecting on how he juggled making music, selling drugs and playing college basketball during his come up. While that’s not necessarily a unique feat in the rap world, the fact that 2 Chainz exists at all, is.
In a genre where fame is especially fleeting, 2 Chainz has remained among rap’s upper echelon for nearly a decade, and you can catch the MVP when he performs February 29 at Drai’s. His success is a result of both skill—he’s the wittiest, most masterful braggart in the game—and resilience. 2 Chainz’s rise didn’t happen overnight; that persona is actually the rapper’s second act.
The 42-year-old superstar’s career started long before his “Birthday Song” became a ceremonious anthem in 2012. Prior to that, he was known as Tity Boi, one half of Playaz Circle and a member of Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace posse. You could even spot a young Tity Boi in the video for Ludacris’ 2001 smash “Move Bitch” and spitting guest verses on Luda’s 2003 album Chicken-N-Beer. It wasn’t until 2007 that Tity Boi would score a commercial hit of his own with Playaz Circle’s now-classic “Duffle Bag Boy,” thanks to a feature from close friend Lil Wayne. Playaz Circle’s follow-ups weren’t quite as successful, though.
By that point, the Def Jam recording artist had spent more than a decade in the industry with only one mainstream hit to his name. Others might have thrown in the towel, but Epps put on a couple necklaces and changed his name, re-emerging in 2011 as the 2 Chainz adored today. The hits quickly followed: “No Lie,” “I’m Different” and “Birthday Song” all went platinum, and he started stealing the show on guest spots like Kanye West’s “Mercy” and Drake’s “All Me.” You can even thank 2 Chainz for adding “It’s a vibe” to the contemporary lexicon. It might be the most remarkable transformation in hip-hop history.
“You always think it’s your time, but I’m happy my time didn’t come until it came,” he told Genius.com in a recent interview.
2 Chainz continues to reinvent himself. He’s gone from a dope boy with hoop dreams to a rapper with multiple businesses and hustles, including a long-standing relationship with Drai’s Nightclub. He’s done everything from starring in his own reality web series (GQ magazine’s Most Expensivest Sh*t) and releasing a signature sneaker with Versace to buying a stake in Atlanta’s A3C music festival and investing in car-sharing startup Turo. He recently inked a partnership between Atlantic Records and his own imprint, T.R.U. Label, with the first compilation dropping this month.
In a recent interview with Apple radio DJ Zane Lowe, 2 Chainz hinted that his next album could be his last for Def Jam—possibly his boldest move yet. “I might stick around. … But for now, I’m looking forward to possibly being independent by the end of the year,” he said.
Whatever his next step, you can bet on a winning performance when he lands in Vegas this weekend.
2 Chainz February 29, 10 p.m., $40-60. Drai’s Nightclub, 702-777-3800
