2 Chainz: Road to the BET Awards 2012

Peep some of 2 Chainz's career highlights of the past year.

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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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)

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 – 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)

SupaGoodLook – January 20, 2012 - With listeners already abuzz about 2 Chainz mixtape, fellow Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy featured 2 Chainz on his single “SupaFreak” for his Thug Motivation 103 album.(Photos: Porton/PictureGroup)

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SupaGoodLook – January 20, 2012 - With listeners already abuzz about 2 Chainz mixtape, fellow Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy featured 2 Chainz on his single “SupaFreak” for his Thug Motivation 103 album.(Photos: Porton/PictureGroup)

The New York Show – January 30, 2012 - With the success of T.R.U. REALigion spreading like a wildfire, and the equally positive response from his guest feature from Young Jeezy, 2 Chainz came to the world famous SOB’s in New York City to appease his East-coast fans.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

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The New York Show – January 30, 2012 - With the success of T.R.U. REALigion spreading like a wildfire, and the equally positive response from his guest feature from Young Jeezy, 2 Chainz came to the world famous SOB’s in New York City to appease his East-coast fans.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

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 – 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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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 – 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)

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 – 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)

Photo By Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images

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 – 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)

The Rumors Continue – April 9, 2012 - Speculation continued that 2 Chainz was about to join the G.O.O.D. Music label when Kanye once again joined 2 Chainz, this time on 106 & Park. It was also here that Kanye showed off a pair of his Air Yeezy II’s, months before their release.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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The Rumors Continue – April 9, 2012 - Speculation continued that 2 Chainz was about to join the G.O.O.D. Music label when Kanye once again joined 2 Chainz, this time on 106 & Park. It was also here that Kanye showed off a pair of his Air Yeezy II’s, months before their release.(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 – 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)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Island Records

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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 – June 3, 2012 - 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)

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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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)

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