2 Chainz: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Tauheed Epps''' (born September 10, 1976), better known by his [[stage name]] '''2 Chainz''', is an American [[Rapping|rapper]] from [[College Park, Georgia]]. He was first known for being one-half of [[southern hip hop]] duo, [[Playaz Circle]], whom were recognized for being signed to [[Ludacris]]' [[record label]] [[Disturbing tha Peace]] and their debut single "[[Duffle Bag Boy]]". He is currently signed to [[Def Jam Records]], an imprint of [[Universal Music Group]]. |
'''Tauheed Epps''' (born September 10, 1976), better known by his [[stage name]] '''2 Chainz''', is an American [[Rapping|rapper]] from [[College Park, Georgia]]. He was first known for being one-half of [[southern hip hop]] duo, [[Playaz Circle]], whom were recognized for being signed to [[Ludacris]]' [[record label]] [[Disturbing tha Peace]] and their debut single "[[Duffle Bag Boy]]". 2 CHAINZ He is currently signed to [[Def Jam Records]], an imprint of [[Universal Music Group]]. 2 CHAINZ |
||
== Life and career == |
== Life and career == |
||
Revision as of 01:08, 4 September 2012
2 Chainz | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Tauheed Epps |
| Also known as | Tity Boi |
| Born | September 10, 1976 |
| Origin | College Park, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop, southern hip hop |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 1997-present |
| Labels | Def Jam |
| Website | www |
Tauheed Epps (born September 10, 1976), better known by his stage name 2 Chainz, is an American rapper from College Park, Georgia. He was first known for being one-half of southern hip hop duo, Playaz Circle, whom were recognized for being signed to Ludacris' record label Disturbing tha Peace and their debut single "Duffle Bag Boy". 2 CHAINZ He is currently signed to Def Jam Records, an imprint of Universal Music Group. 2 CHAINZ
Life and career
1976–1996: Early life and beginnings
Tauheed Epps was born September 10, in College Park, Georgia. Epps was an only child, while his father being a minister for his local church, Epps spent a lot of his early days in church. Epps was involved with his church's choir for 2 years before he went to high school. He attended high school with Monica and exceeded his teacher's expectations of him by finishing second in his class. He later attended Alabama State University to play basketball. Epps later transferred to Tuskegee University after his sophomore year. There he was an All American Basketball player while keeping his grades up.[1]
1997–2010: Playaz Circle and Providing Peace
Epps formed the hip hop duo Playaz Circle (the word "Playaz" being an acronym for Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A to Z)[2] in College Park, Georgia in 1997 with his high school friend Earl Conyers (known as Dolla Boy) while Epps adopted "tity boi" as his stage name.[3] Following the release of an independent album titled United We Stand, United We Fall (2002),[2] the duo were introduced to fellow Atlanta rapper Ludacris, when he moved into their College Park apartment complex whilst he was acting as a DJ.[3] After taking interest in Playaz Circle, Ludacris began to record several songs with the group, playing some of them on his radio station.[2]
1997–2010: Playaz Circle and Providing Peace
Epps formed the hip hop duo Playaz Circle (the word "Playaz" being an acronym for Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A to Z)[2] in College Park, Georgia in 1997 with his high school friend Earl Conyers (known as Dolla Boy) while Epps adopted "tity boi" as his stage name.[3] Following the release of an independent album titled United We Stand, United We Fall (2002),[2] the duo were introduced to fellow Atlanta rapper Ludacris, when he moved into their College Park apartment complex whilst he was acting as a DJ.[3] After taking interest in Playaz Circle, Ludacris began to record several songs with the group, playing some of them on his radio station.[2]
However, the duo's career stalled when Dolla Boy was called back home to take care of his ill mother]].[2] Meanwhile, Ludacris had become one of the highest-selling rappers in the South of the United States.[3] After hearing of their situation, Ludacris requested of Epps that the duo join his newly-formed record label Disturbing The Peace, a subsidiary of Def Jam Recordings. Epps agreed to sign, although Dolla Boy did not officially join the label until his mother was regained her health a year after the initial signing.[3] Def Jam was very interested in Playaz Circle's music because all of the performances had a choir in the background, something 2 Chainz added from his childhood days in church. So the duo released several mixtapes for charity.[3]
Their debut album Supply & Demand, was released on October 30, 2007. The lead single and their debut single, "Duffle Bag Boy," became an urban hit single. The song features Lil Wayne, and was performed by the duo at the BET Hip Hop Awards. The duo released their second studio album Flight 360: The Takeoff, on September 29, 2009. In January 2010, Playaz Circle filmed a music video for their single "Big Dawg" featuring Lil Wayne and Birdman at Studio Space Atlanta. Shortly afterwards, Epps left Disturbing tha Peace, a move he claimed was taken in order to advance his career. Ludacris was initially reluctant to allow Epps to leave the label as he felt he could still prove financially successful, although he eventually accepted the decision.[4]
2011–present: Name change, guest appearances, Based on a T.R.U. Story
Throughout Epps career, critics and fans alike have speculated the name "Tity Boi" was meant to be derogatory towards women, although he repeatedly denied such accusations.[1] In early 2011, Epps decided to change his stage name to 2 Chainz as he perceived it to be more "family friendly".[5] Following his name change, Epps released a mixtape entitled T.R.U. REALigon, which mixtape became his first album to appear on the music charts, peaking at number 58 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[6] Since the success of his most recent mixtape, Epps has made numerous guest appearances on tracks by prominent recording artists such as,[1] Kanye West's hit single "Mercy" and Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap"
On March 24, 2012, Epps announced his debut studio album, Based on a T.R.U. Story (originally titled T.R.U. to My REALigion)[4] was set for a August 14, 2012, release date.[7] The album's lead single, "No Lie", features Canadian rapper Drake and was released on May 8, 2012.[8] On May 11, 2012, Epp's was thought to be signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label after West tweeted: "2 Chainz is charging 100k for a verse now cause he's G.O.O.D!!!!!".[9] However Epps later denied those rumors, saying: "He just said I’m good, like I’m ill. But we was talking and I think I was jeopardizing my brand sometimes by doing the homeboy special. So I think he felt like we should just put that out there that we ain’t doing no more of that."[10] On May 30, 2012, Ciara revealed 2 Chainz was featured on "Sweat", the first single from her fifth studio album One Woman Army.[11]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012)
References
- ^ a b c "2 Chainz Opens Up About Why He Was Named 'Tity Boi', T.R.U. Realigion Mixtape, and his Use of Codeine Syrup. 2 Chainz also collaborated with Rochester rapper "Dale Mahoney" on his mixtape "Jordans&Drugs" in 2012". Vibe. Vibe Media. October 27, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Playaz Circle". Dub Magazine. Dub Publishing. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cordor, Cyril. "Playaz Circle > Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Vasquez, Andres (March 15, 2012). "2 Chainz Reveals Album Title, Speaks On Leaving Ludacris' Label". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ Harling, Danielle (January 3, 2012). "2 Chainz Explains His Decision To Drop Tity Boi As A Stage Name, Says 2 Chainz Is More "Family Friendly"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ "2 Chainz > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ Bark, Theo (April 3, 2012). "2 Chainz, 'Based on a T.R.U. Story': Rapper Reveals Producers on LP, Speaks on Kanye West". The Boombox. AOL. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ "No Lie (feat. Drake) – Single by 2 Chainz". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
- ^ West, Kanye. "2 Chainz is charging 100k for a verse now cause he's G.O.O.D!!!!!". Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved May 27, 2012\date=May 11, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Horowitz, Steven J. "2 Chainz Responds To G.O.O.D. Music Signing Rumors". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 14, 2012\date=May 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Ciara Announces New Album One Woman Army". Rap-up.com. 30 May 2012.