The Evolution of 2 Chainz

A chart-topping LP is the latest leg of the MC's journey.

All Gold No Ice On - 2 Chainz received an astounding response when he came out for Nicki Minaj's show in LA in early August. Truuuuuu. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Last week, 2 Chainz at long last dropped his mega-hyped debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story. And today, it was announced that the album is going to top the Billboard album charts this week. It's the latest big win in the thirtysomething Atlanta rapper's long, unlikely journey, filled with major twists and roadblocks. In fact, looking back, it's almost a surprise it happened at all. Click on to take a look at the evolution of 2 Chainz. —Alex Gale  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz was born Tauheed Epps on September 12, 1976, in College Park, Georgia.  (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz was born Tauheed Epps on September 12, 1976, in College Park, Georgia.  (Photo: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz was introduced to the rap world as Tity Boy, one half of The Playaz Circle, along with his high school friend Dolla Boy. Five years after forming in 1997, the Atlanta-based duo independently released their debut LP, United We Stand, United We Fall. (Photo: Courtesy of Playaz Circle/Myspace)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz was introduced to the rap world as Tity Boy, one half of The Playaz Circle, along with his high school friend Dolla Boy. Five years after forming in 1997, the Atlanta-based duo independently released their debut LP, United We Stand, United We Fall. (Photo: Courtesy of Playaz Circle/Myspace)

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Playaz Circle's career stalled after Chainz was shot and Dolla was incarcerated. But through a lucky coincidence — radio host and aspiring rapper Ludacris moving into their apartment complex — Playaz Circle later signed to Luda's Disturbing Tha Peace roster and began making a new level of noise.  (Photo: Courtesy of DTP Records)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Playaz Circle's career stalled after Chainz was shot and Dolla was incarcerated. But through a lucky coincidence — radio host and aspiring rapper Ludacris moving into their apartment complex — Playaz Circle later signed to Luda's Disturbing Tha Peace roster and began making a new level of noise.  (Photo: Courtesy of DTP Records)

Playaz Circle, 'Duffle Bag Boy,' Featuring Lil Wayne - This 2007 song was a key hip hop moment on two levels: It featured a memorable performance from Lil Wayne, who was still building his solo career, and also gave the world a sneak peek at 2 Chainz, then known as Tity Boi, one half of Playaz Circle. The ATL duo signed to Ludacris's Disturbing Tha Peace imprint.(Photo: Island Def Jam)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Playaz Circle had their first real hit with 2007's "Duffle Bag Boy," featuring Lil Wayne, from their major-label debut, Supply & Demand.  (Photo: Courtesy of DTP records)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Playaz Circle released another album, Flight 360: The Takeoff, in 2009, but it failed to make an impact. Frustrated, Chainz asked to be relased from Disturbing Tha Peace and Ludacris reluctantly agreed.

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Playaz Circle released another album, Flight 360: The Takeoff, in 2009, but it failed to make an impact. Frustrated, Chainz asked to be relased from Disturbing Tha Peace and Ludacris reluctantly agreed.

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Tity Boi resurrected his forgotten rap career in 2011, changing his name to 2 Chainz and releasing the acclaimed mixtape Codeine Cowboy, which featured the inescapable "Spend It."    (Photo: Courtesy of G.O.O.D. Music)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Tity Boi resurrected his forgotten rap career in 2011, changing his name to 2 Chainz and releasing the acclaimed mixtape Codeine Cowboy, which featured the inescapable "Spend It."    (Photo: Courtesy of G.O.O.D. Music)

The Real University – November 1, 2011 - Though 2 Chainz has high profile appearances leading up to 2012, it was the ‘real’-ease of his 2011 mixtape T.R.U. REALigion that positioned him as one of the premiere Southern rap acts. Sporting appearances from TI, Jadakiss and Young Jeezy as well as production from the likes of Lex Luger, Drumma Boy and DJ Spinz, the DJ Drama hosted mixtape was a sure fire viral hit embraced by rap fans and music critics everywhere. (Photo: Courtesy Disturbing Tha Peace)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz kept his foot on the gas by releasing his second mixtape of 2011, T.R.U. Realigion, widely considered one of the best of the year. With T.I. jumping on the "Spend It" remix and Lex Luger, Raekwon, Jadakiss and Trey Songz making stellar contributions as well, the mixtape made 2 Chainz rap's most-wanted free agent. (Photo: Courtesy Disturbing Tha Peace)

Recording artist 2 Chainz visits BET's "106 & Party" at BET Studios on December 16, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Well, that didn't last long — 2 Chainz signed to Def Jam at the top of 2012 for an undisclosed sum.  (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz stole Nicki Minaj's shine with his incredible verse on her spacy strip-club hit "Beez in the Trap" earlier this year. (Photo: Courtsey of Cash Money Records)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz stole Nicki Minaj's shine with his incredible verse on her spacy strip-club hit "Beez in the Trap" earlier this year. (Photo: Courtsey of Cash Money Records)

Photo By Photo: Courtsey of Cash Money Records

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No Mercy - June 6, 2012 - Having leaked earlier in the spring, “Mercy” (the lead single off the GOOD Music compilation album) was given a black-and-white video treatment that gave screentime to all artists featured. 2 Chainz's highly lauded verse at the end of the song was given the right visuals and let fans everywhere know where his Lamborghini Murcielago is headed: to the top of the charts and BET Awards 2012! (Photo: Courtesy G.O.O.D. Music)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - Though he was officially signed to the House That Russell Built, 2 Chainz also began a loose affiliation with Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music roster — a relationship confirmed by his clean-up verse on the crew's hit single "Mercy."  (Photo: Courtesy G.O.O.D. Music)

Photo By Photo: G.O.O.D. Music

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz gave his increasingly rabid following a first look at his solo major-label debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story, with his hit single "No Lie," featuring Drake, which recently topped Billboard's Hip-Hop/R&B singles chart. (Photo: Courtesy of G.O.O.D. Music)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - 2 Chainz gave his increasingly rabid following a first look at his solo major-label debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story, with his hit single "No Lie," featuring Drake, which recently topped Billboard's Hip-Hop/R&B singles chart. (Photo: Courtesy of G.O.O.D. Music)

The Evolution of 2 Chainz - After upping the anticipation even further with his Kanye-assisted single "Birthday Song," 2 Chainz finally dropped his first official solo LP, Based on a T.R.U. Story, on August 14. The album debuted at No. 1, moving 147,000 units and exceeding industry expectations. Getting to this point after Chainz' arduous up-and-down journey was a real feat. We can't wait to see what 2 Chainz will do next.  (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images For BET)

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The Evolution of 2 Chainz - After upping the anticipation even further with his Kanye-assisted single "Birthday Song," 2 Chainz finally dropped his first official solo LP, Based on a T.R.U. Story, on August 14. The album debuted at No. 1, moving 147,000 units and exceeding industry expectations. Getting to this point after Chainz' arduous up-and-down journey was a real feat. We can't wait to see what 2 Chainz will do next.  (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images For BET)