Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Tauheed Epps has mastered the art of Hip Hop to become one of the baddest rappers in the game. Formerly known as Tity Boy and currently better known as 2 Chainz, he worked hard and quickly stepped out of the shadow of his peers to rightfully hold his own mike. Over the years he has collaborated with the best in the industry from Lil’ Wayne and Gucci Mane to Bun B and T. I.. Today, he is one of the most sought after independent artists and his following is growing at a record pace.
He grew up as an only child on Atlanta’s south side and always had a passion to be in entertainment. He thought life would eventually lead him to seriously play sports – basketball in particular. But music would eventually take a deeper root and re-route his life course.
2 Chainz released the “Me Against The World” mixtape in 2007, “Trap-A-Velli” then dropped in 2009, “Me Against the World 2: Codeine Withdrawal” came out in 2010 as well as “Trap-A-Velli 2: The Residue. In 2011 “Codeine Cowboy (A 2 Chainz Collective) was released followed by “T.R.U. REALigion.” When it came to titling his projects, 2 Chainz notes some very interesting similarities, “With my series, I always had those 2Pac- like titles. I’m not saying that I had the same music as Pac, but I do think that I have the same work ethic.”
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The succession of mixtapes easily established 2 Chainz as an artist who could not only write street anthems, but deliver them with crossover appeal. Speaking of anthems, his song “Spend It” topped the charts and has become an anthem among those living the Hip Hop good life. The remix of “Spend It” features T.I. who jumped right in the studio working as soon as he was released from prison. Laying a new verse and shooting a video, this Drumma Boy -produced remix would soon take the world of Hip Hop and area clubs by storm as the lyrics echo, “I’m ridin’ round and I’m getting’ it. It’s mine, I spend it!”
“It’s a reality record that people can adapt to. You don’t necessarily have to be a trapper for it to be your song.” 2 Chainz shares, “It can be a song for when you get your paycheck too. You’ll feel like you’re a part of the song,” With the recent release of T.R.U. REALigion, a 19-track mixtape hosted by DJ Drama that sticks to the trap/money/sex theme, 2 Chainz engages several of his friends for input including Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti Birdman, Trey Songz, Kreayshawn, Dolla Boy, Raekwon and Big Sean. With so much great talent banding together one mixtape, you are sure to discover an array of potential number one hits.
Speaking of number ones, 2 Chainz shares who is at the top of his personal list when it comes to his greatest inspiration. “Non-musical, I would say my Mom. Musical, I would have to say Scarface and Andre 3000.” A family-oriented person, he stresses the love that he has for his family. When he is not physically making music, 2 Chainz says that enjoys listening to beats. When asked what his life is like now being 2 Chainz, he responds “I have long nights and shorter days. I put in a lot of hard work and the most rewarding part is the response from the fans. It makes it all worthwhile.”
There are so many people that look up to 2 Chainz and aspire to follow his footsteps. His advice to them is, “Be comfortable in your own skin and work hard.” With exclusive relationships and the phone numbers of millionaires stored in his cell phone, he began to step up his game and work harder to achieve that same status. “The motivation just came from me being around a lot of peers that do the same thing that I do, but their bank account was larger than mine.
Now, with his own catalog of music filled with hundreds of songs and certified hits, 2 Chainz is yet working – and enjoying the ride. Frequency News asked 2 Chainz what the future holds for him – and his response may come as a surprise for some and inspiring for others as he shares, “I’m considering taking classes online this year…when it slows down. I like to learn and I want to stay ahead of the curve.” With hopes of having his next release garner him an award for Rap album of the year, 2 Chainz is not slowing down. Keep your ears and eyes open in 2012 for 2 Chainz’ “Based on a TRU Story” on Def Jam records.
MORE: www.2chainz.com
Frequency Contributing Writer:
Tanya LaNice
2 Chainz Covers Frequency Magazine: “Be Comfortable In Your Own Skin And Work Hard” was originally published on theurbandaily.com
