# 2 Chainz

> American rapper

**Wikidata**: [Q129668](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129668)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Chainz)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/2-chainz

## Summary
2 Chainz (born Tauheed Epps, September 12, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur, known for his solo career and as half of the hip-hop duo Playaz Circle. He gained significant prominence in the Southern hip-hop scene, particularly in trap music, after signing with Def Jam Recordings and releasing multiple successful albums.

## Biography
-   **Born:** September 12, 1977
-   **Nationality:** United States
-   **Education:** Attended Alabama State College; attended Virginia State University
-   **Known For:** American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, businessperson; member of Playaz Circle; solo music career under Def Jam Recordings and Empire Distribution; Southern hip-hop/trap music pioneer
-   **Employer(s):** Def Jam Recordings (record label); Empire Distribution (record label); Playaz Circle (hip-hop duo)
-   **Field(s):** Music (Rapper, Singer, Songwriter); Acting; Business (Entrepreneur)

## Contributions
-   **Music Career:** Embarked on his professional music career in 1997 as one half of the hip-hop duo Playaz Circle, releasing albums like "Supply & Demand" and "Flight Risk."
-   **Solo Albums:** Released multiple solo albums, establishing himself as a prominent figure in modern hip-hop, particularly within the trap subgenre and Southern hip-hop.
-   **Collaborations & Features:** A prolific collaborator, featured on numerous high-profile songs across the hip-hop and broader music landscape, contributing to chart-topping tracks and albums.
-   **Entrepreneurship:** Operates as a businessperson within the music industry, leveraging his career for ventures beyond music.
-   **Acting:** Pursued a career in acting, appearing in various film and television productions.
-   **Songwriting:** Established himself as a songwriter, writing lyrics for his own music and potentially for others.

## FAQs
**What is 2 Chainz's real name?** Tauheed Epps.
**What stage names is he known by?** He is known by the aliases Tity Boi (his original stage name) and Drench God, in addition to his main stage name 2 Chainz.
**What groups or duos has he been part of?** He is best known as a member of the American hip-hop duo Playaz Circle, formed in 1997.
**Where did 2 Chainz attend college?** He attended both Alabama State College and Virginia State University.
**What record labels has 2 Chainz been signed to?** He has been signed to major labels including Def Jam Recordings and Empire Distribution during his career.
**What genres of music is 2 Chainz associated with?** He is primarily associated with Southern hip-hop and trap music, and has also contributed to hardcore hip-hop, gangsta rap, and mainstream hip-hop.
**What other professions besides music does 2 Chainz pursue?** He also works as an actor, songwriter, and businessperson/entrepreneur.

## Why They Matter
2 Chainz matters as a significant figure in the evolution of Southern hip-hop and the popularization of trap music on a global scale. His successful transition from the duo Playaz Circle to becoming a multi-platinum solo artist cemented his place as a commercial powerhouse within hip-hop. Beyond his music, his ventures into acting and entrepreneurship demonstrate his broad influence and adaptability in the entertainment industry. He has played a key role in shaping the sound and mainstream acceptance of trap music, influencing a generation of artists and producers.

## Notable For
-   Pioneering the fusion of trap and Southern hip-hop elements into a commercially dominant sound.
-   Successfully transitioning from a member of Playaz Circle (1997) to a highly successful solo rapper.
-   Signing and releasing major projects under the influential Def Jam Recordings label.
-   Known for his distinctively boastful lyrical style and charismatic persona.
-   Building a career that spans music, acting, and entrepreneurship.
-   Attending historically Black colleges and universities (Alabama State College and Virginia State University).
-   Using the stage names Tity Boi (early career) and Drench God.

## Body
### Early Life and Birth
Tauheed Epps was born on September 12, 1977. He later adopted the stage names Tity Boi and Drench God, achieving widespread fame under the name 2 Chainz.

### Musical Beginnings: Playaz Circle
Epps began his professional music career in 1997 as one half of the American hip-hop duo Playaz Circle. The duo released albums including "Supply & Demand" and "Flight Risk," establishing an early foundation in the Southern hip-hop scene.

### Solo Career and Breakthrough
After gaining recognition with Playaz Circle, Epps adopted the stage name 2 Chainz. He achieved significant mainstream success as a solo artist. His solo career was notably boosted when he signed with Def Jam Recordings, a major American record label founded in 1984 and known for its influential roster in hip-hop, rock, and pop. He later also worked with Empire Distribution, an American distribution company and record label founded around 2010.

### Music Style and Associations
2 Chainz is primarily associated with Southern hip-hop and trap music, genres that emerged from the Southern United States around 1980 and 1990 respectively. His music often incorporates elements of gangsta rap (inception circa 1985) and hardcore hip-hop (inception circa 1988), contributing to their evolution within the mainstream.

### Entrepreneurship and Other Ventures
Beyond music, 2 Chainz has pursued a career as a businessperson/entrepreneur. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in various film and television productions. Additionally, he is credited as a songwriter, writing lyrics for his own music.

### Education
2 Chainz attended Alabama State College, a public university in Montgomery, Alabama, founded in 1867. He also attended Virginia State University, a public university in Virginia founded in 1882. His educational background at these historically Black institutions is a notable aspect of his personal history.

## References

1. [Source](https://hedendaagsesieraden.nl/2024/04/05/2-chainz/)
2. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
3. TV.com
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. MusicBrainz
6. Nederlandse Top 40
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.nicekicks.com/2-chainz-sneakers-style-interview-2017/)
9. BBC Things
10. ISWC Network
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. Genius
13. Gaana
14. [Source](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tauheed-epps/7645)
15. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/2_Chainz-ZPGVA8)
16. YouTube API
17. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/2-chainz-107aDoFiX2/appearances)
18. The Movie Database