Follow the Leader: 2 Chainz

2 Chainz has set high benchmarks! Check them out here.

Road to the BET Awards 2012 - Born Tauheed Epps, 2 Chainz is one of rap’s hottest rising acts to come from the Dirty South. Originally rapping under the moniker Tity Boi, 2 Chainz got his start in the late '90s by forming the group Playaz Circle with fellow rapper Dolla Boy. Since going solo, he has garnered a reputation for releasing high-energy mixtapes suitable for both the club and car rides, which has helped boost his career and put him on the track for rap superstardom.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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Follow the Leader: 2 Chainz - Born Tauheed Epps, 2 Chainz is one of rap’s hottest rising acts to come from the Dirty South. Originally rapping under the moniker Tity Boi, 2 Chainz got his start in the late '90s by forming the group Playaz Circle with fellow rapper Dolla Boy. Since going solo, he has garnered a reputation for releasing high-energy mixtapes suitable for both the club and car rides, which has helped boost his career and put him on the track for rap superstardom.  (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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 Real University - Though 2 Chainz had 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 T.I., 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)

Inked – February 2, 2012 - Days after the sold-out show at SOB’s, 2 Chainz announced that he was now signed to the house that Russell built, Def Jam Records.(Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

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Inked - With fans buzzing about his mixtape from Atlanta to New York, 2 Chainz made a visit to the Big Apple, where he performed at the legendary S.O.B's. Days later, the emcee would announce his deal with Def Jam Recordings. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

Smiles Every Time My Face Face Is up in The Source – February 15, 2012 - Seeing that the rising star was at the tipping point for success, hip hop publication The Source featured him on the cover of their February/March issue alongside Mac Miller and Tyga. (Photo: Courtesy The Source Magazine)

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Smiles Every Time My Face Face Is Up in The Source - Seeing that the rising star was at the tipping point for success, hip hop publication The Source featured him on the cover of their February/March issue alongside Mac Miller and Tyga. (Photo: Courtesy The Source Magazine)

SXSW – March 14, 2012 - SXSW bore witness to a legend in the making when 2 Chainz brought out Kanye West during his set at the Malaia World Lounge (which was sponsored by SOB's). The Internets went ablaze with rumors that Kanye was interested in having 2 Chainz  join the ranks of his G.O.O.D. music label.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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SXSW - SXSW bore witness to a legend in the making when 2 Chainz brought out Kanye West during his set at the Malaia World Lounge (which was sponsored by S.O.B.'s). The Internets went ablaze with rumors that Kanye was interested in having 2 Chainz  join the ranks of his G.O.O.D. Music label. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images

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Beez on 106 – April 4, 2012 - When Nicki Minaj took over 106 & Park in early April, she brought a bevy of guests, one of which was 2 Chainz who appeared on her single "Beez In The Trap." Days later, 2 Chainz himself dropped by the music countdown show and brought a very special guest of his own.  (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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"Beez" on 106 - When Nicki Minaj took over 106 & Park in early April, she brought a bevy of guests, one of which was 2 Chainz, who appeared on her single "Beez in the Trap." Days later, 2 Chainz himself dropped by the music countdown show and brought a very special guest of his own.  (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Bieber Fever – May 24, 2012 - Talk about historical. 2 Chainz hopped on a remix by pop music’s current reigning prince that coincidentally features his Source cover cohort Mac Miller. (Photo: Courtesy Island Records)

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Bieber Fever - Talk about historical. 2 Chainz hopped on a remix by pop music’s current reigning prince that coincidentally features his Source cover cohort Mac Miller. (Photo: Courtesy Island Records)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Island Records

2 Chainz  - Trading verses with Drake on the smash "No Lie," 2 Chainz continued to prove why he's the next big thing in hip hop, garnering a nod at the Soul Train Awards for Best Hip Hop Song of the Year. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

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Summer Jam - The saga continued with 2 Chainz performing at Hot 97’s Summer Jam in East Rutherford, NJ. The New York Times went on to praise his performance, asserting that "he achieved something like folk-hero status" due to his appearances.(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Hot in These Streets (and Award Shows)  - 2 Chainz literally set the stage on fire at BET Awards 2012. His first appearance at the show was alongside his G.O.O.D. Music family for a rendition of "Mercy." The second appearance was alongside Nicki Minaj for "Beez in the Trap."(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

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Hot in These Streets (and Award Shows) - 2 Chainz literally set the stage on fire at BET Awards 2012. His first appearance at the show was alongside his G.O.O.D. Music family for a rendition of "Mercy." The second appearance was alongside Nicki Minaj for "Beez in the Trap." (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

Photo By Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET

Rock the Chainz  - 2 Chainz hit the Rock the Bells stage with his trademark energy. Although RTB is typically known for more traditional rap acts, 2 Chainz's witty one liners and penchant for humor has swayed over even the most uptight rap fan.(Photo: Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

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Rock the Chainz - 2 Chainz hit the Rock the Bells stage with his trademark energy. Although RTB is typically known for more traditional rap acts, 2 Chainz's witty one liners and penchant for humor has swayed over even the most uptight rap fan. (Photo: Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic)

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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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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)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Story of His Success - 2 Chainz hit the 106 stage in August to celebrate the release of his album Based on a T.R.U. Story. The album featured hits such as "No Lie" (featuring Drake) and "Birthday Song" (featuring Kanye West).(Photo: John Ricard / BET).

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The Story of His Success - 2 Chainz hit the 106 stage in August to celebrate the release of his album Based on a T.R.U. Story. The album featured hits such as "No Lie" (featuring Drake) and "Birthday Song" (featuring Kanye West). (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Award Show Phenom - Although not accompanied by fire this time, 2 Chainz kept the crowd sweating during his set with Lil Wayne for the song "Yuck." Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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Award Show Phenom - Although not accompanied by fire this time, 2 Chainz kept the crowd sweating during his set with Lil Wayne for the song "Yuck." (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

From a Cruel Summer to a Sizzling Fall - September marked another huge month for 2 Chainz. On September 12 he celebrated his birthday, which we presume led to the gift which he wished for on "Birthday Song." Two days later, the G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer album was released, and five days after that, the G.O.O.D. Music family took over 106 & Park.(Photo: John Ricard / BET).

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From a Cruel Summer to a Sizzling Fall - September marked another huge month for 2 Chainz. On September 12 he celebrated his birthday, which we presume led to the gift which he wished for on "Birthday Song." Two days later, the G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer album was released, and five days after that, the G.O.O.D. Music family took over 106 & Park. Whats next for 2 Chainz? Starting October off right with the BET Hip Hop Awards on October 9 at 8P/7C!(Photo: John Ricard / BET)