By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Though not a favorite with critics, fans love 2 Chainz and his rise is respectable, as he made himself into a star when others would have remained content. 2 Chainz spent the majority of his career known as Tity Boi, one half of Playaz Circle, which was signed to Ludacris’ DTP Records. The duo had their fifteen minutes of fame in 2007 with ther “Duffle Bag Boy” single, featuring Lil Wayne.
Tity Boi decided fifteen minutes was not long enough, so he changed his name to 2 Chainz and decided to make 2011 his year. 2 Chainz released a flurry of mixtapes and singles, remixing popular songs and adding verses. The buzz grew so big in Atlanta, soon 2 Chainz gained notice on a national scale, leading to him signing a solo joint venture deal with Def Jam.
Admittedly, 2 Chainz is not a “student of the game,” but he told VIBE.com there are certain rappers who he does look up to. 2 Chainz told VIBE.com of five emcees he looks up to in the game, naming them in no particular order. Those 2 Chainz finds influential are E-40, because he’s an innovator and run to talk to, Birdman and he always listens when he talks, Too $hort because he’s an OG, Kanye West because he’s a musical genius, and Scarface becuaes he’s a wise man who has seen a lot.
