For the most
part many people forget about Playaz Circle. They tend to forget abouth that
Atlanta based duo consisting of Dolla Boy and Tity Boi. Their biggest hit was
the Lil' Wayne assisted "Duffle Bag Boy". Even as I write this
I remember singing that song to exhaustion. Hell, I even still remember the
words. They also had a few minor hits after that one, including "Look
What I Got".
As most good
duos tend to do, Tity Boi went about the business of working on some solo
projects. And in the process of doing that he did a few things. The first was
that he came up with mixtapes that are often hailed as amazing. Trap-A-Velli
is the one most often named when that subject is broached. Another is Codeine
Cowboy, a personal favorite of mine.
The next thing
he did was change his name...but not really. The name Tity Boi gave something
of a negative connotation to people. So he starts to go by his nickname for
himself, the moniker of 2 Chainz. I felt this oddly clever simply because he
changed the media's perception by simply going by something he'd beem calling
himself anyway.
Finally he
crossed over to the mainstream in such a way that he is still relevant to the
streets and the diehard fans he'd had before he was featured on every popular
track ever. It's like a reverse Lil' Wayne, maybe. It didn't hurt that he
happened to find himself closely affiliated with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music
imprint.
Armed with this
he gave us his debut studio album Based On A T.R.U. Story.
Sonically it is quite amazing. Being honest, the lyrical nature of it is
simplistic but that's what works about 2 Chainz. You don't listen to him for
deep metaphors or things of that nature. Despite that, it's a fun album to
listen to and it has great songs. Here are my five favorites in order:
1. "Stop Me Now"-I fell in love from the moment I heard
the vocal sample belting out that admonition of "Nothing in the whole
wide world can stop me..." 2 Chainz is amazing on this one simply
because it feels almost motivational. Former Playaz Circle cohort comes through
to grace the track and it feels good to hear the two on a track together.
2. "Birthday Song"-This is one of those songs you feel
slightly bad for liking, if only for a second. The bass and the pace of the
beat takes all that from you. It's 2 Chainz at his best. His rapping over this
beat is fun and so damn catchy that I am fighting the urge to get up and dance
right now. Kanye West comes in and does
what he does best, which is be Kanye. Together they make an unstoppable
juggernaut of a track. And the hook is my favorite: All I want for my
birthday is a big booty ho.
3. "In Town"-As far as features go, I was scarcely
expecting a 2 Chainz and Mike Posner collaboration. Imagine my shock to hear
it. "In Town" is basically about two people who usually end up
having sex when the male comes in town. Somehow between Posner's voice and 2
Chainz's presence it sounds damn near romantic and rhythmic. It's odd but
damned if it doesn't work.
4. "Yuck"-"Yuck" is an amazing
collection of punchlines put into one track. For that I first appreciated it.
It was also to hear Lil' Wayne relegated to hook duty, a position he plays very
well. This song is clever to me because of the great one-liners and the
delivery of them. A favorite part would have to be after he says this line: We
pass your girl like a hot potato. Suddenly the beat stops and he
dramatizies the act of two guys passing her. That is very hilarious to me.
Clever, too.
5. "Countdown"-Not to put too fine a point on it, "Countdown"
is a rather sexy song. The imagery puts you in the mind of that hook-up after
the club. For that you need Chris Brown crooning over the beat. This seems to
be in the wheelhouse of 2 Chainz who takes this beat and drips the suggestive
thoughts over your consciousness. More than anything, this feels like the club
or more specifically the strip club.
2 Chainz debuts
with a bang. I love it. Now all I hope is that he can capture that same magic
on a sophomore effort. Only time will tell there. Tru!!!
written by
Lucius Black for Royalty Magazine
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