Early Life
Tauheed Epps, better known as 2 Chainz, was born on September 12th, 1977, in College Park, Georgia. Despite growing up in a low-income neighborhood, Epps worked hard in high school and graduated second in his class. He also played basketball and developed into a skilled player during his youth. Epps continued to be disorderly, selling drugs to his classmates, including marijuana and cocaine.
He was arrested for felony cocaine possession when he was 15 years old. Epps became involved in music for the first time in high school, writing his first raps with a group of peers.
Despite his criminal background, Epps was a hardworking student who received a scholarship to Alabama State University. He was a member of the college basketball team and graduated afterward. Rumors that 2 Chainz had graduated from university with a 4.0 GPA were eventually debunked.
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He also alleged that he temporarily attended Virginia State University. Epps was a promising college basketball player who put up some outstanding numbers.
Early Career in Music
In 1997, Epps took on the stage moniker Tity Boi and formed the hip-hop duo Playaz Circle with boyhood buddy Earl Conyers. Conyers, also known as Dolla Boy, was instrumental in releasing 2 Chainz’s first independent album, “United We Stand, United We Fall,” in 2002.
The album caught the attention of Atlanta rapper Ludacris, who aided the duo’s rise to fame by promoting their songs on the radio. Ludacris, who had not yet achieved fame, was living in the same apartment complex at the time and working as a DJ.
Ludacris’ early association with Playaz Circle would be extremely advantageous, as the rapper quickly reconnected with the group after becoming extremely successful. He persuaded 2 Chainz and Dolla Boy to sign with Disturbing Tha Peace, his newly created record company.
This would serve as a springboard for the team, and their first studio album, “Supply & Demand,” was published in 2007. “Duffle Bag Boy,” the album’s lead song, immediately became a fan favorite and featured Lil’ Wayne. At the BET Hip-Hop Awards, 2 Chainz performed the song. 2 Chainz departed Playaz Circle and Disturbing Tha Peace to pursue a solo career after releasing one more studio album.
Making It as a Solo Artist
The rapper formerly known as Tity Boi changed his name to 2 Chainz in 2011 because he felt it was more “family-friendly” and appropriate for his future solo career. He quickly followed up with his first solo album, a mixtape titled “T.R.U. REALigion.” 2 Chainz collaborated with well-known artists such as Kanye West and Nicki Minaj after rebranding himself and establishing a solo career.
2 Chainz was set to release his first studio album as a solo artist in 2012. The album’s title was “Based on a T.R.U. Story,” It included Drake on the lead single “No Lie” The album opened at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 147,000 copies in its first week. Despite the album’s negative reviews, it was a significant achievement for 2 Chainz on all other fronts.
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It allowed him to perform to sold-out crowds worldwide, and the record was nominated for a slew of prizes, including three Grammys. The album also earned 2 Chainz several BET Hip Hop Awards and lucrative endorsements and dealt with numerous corporations.
“B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time,” 2 Chainz’s second studio album, was released in 2013. Dolla Boy reunited with 2 Chainz on the album, as did Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Fergie, Pharrell Williams, T-Pain, Rich Home Quan, and many other notable musicians. The album earned higher reviews than “Based on a T.R.U Story” while not being as popular.
“ColleGrove.” a collaboration album between 2 Chainz and Lil’ Wayne, was released in 2016. He followed up with two more mixtapes later in the year. “Pretty Girls Like Trap Music.” 2 Chainz’s fourth studio album was released in 2017.
The album contained collaborations with various other musicians, and Pretty Girls Like Trap Music quite highly received it. Critics said it was his best album yet at the time. 2 Chainz released his second studio album, “Rap Or Go To The League.” in 2019.
Private Life
2 Chainz married his fiancée, Kesha Ward, in 2018. They are the parents of three children, the oldest of whom was born in 2008.
Legal Concerns
On several occasions, 2 Chainz has been arrested and charged with drug possession. One of the more noteworthy incidents featured a police officer pulling over 2 Chainz’s tour buses, believing marijuana was being used inside. Because the tour bus driver refused to allow the officer to check the bus, it was towed to a police station nearby. Police officials discovered additional guns on board after obtaining a warrant.
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What is the net worth of 2 Chainz?
2 Chainz has a $12 million net worth as an American hip hop recording artist. 2 Chainz is an entrepreneur who has dabbled in a variety of businesses throughout his career.
