The rap game seems to be treated as less of a dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest contest than the rest of the music industry.
Instead, rappers work on more of a ‘mentor/mentee’ basis. You have big producers like Lil Wayne and Kanye West who recruit the young talent they think fit their styles, looking to sign these artists to their respective labels. Drake and Nicki Minaj have gained popularity under the tutelage of Weezy, whereas West has mentored Big Sean and Pusha T.
One of Kanye’s recruits, 2 Chainz, released his first major record Aug. 14, _Based on a T.R.U. Story_. 2 Chainz has been hyped by various mixtapes and his appearances in various collaborations with fellow artists under the Def Jam and G.O.O.D. Music labels.
It’s pretty safe to think that under the arm of Kanye, one of the industry’s most successful businessmen, 2 Chainz will make a big splash with his first LP. Unfortunately, this newcomer hasn’t learned nearly enough from his mentor. While his creative ability is prevalent, it runs loose like a wild animal, untamed and aimless. Songs such as “Yuck” and “I’m Different” feature intriguing beginning hooks, only to fall into monotony shortly after.
Others such as “No Lie” and “Stop Me Now” have odd beats and melodies unbefitting of the lyrics or the energy he portrays. In arguably the worst track on the album, “I Luv Dem Strippers,” he throws in auto-tune, yelling, rapping, slow jams and any other style he can think of, making it a messy hodgepodge of uncontrolled nonsense. Really the only consistency he shows is his knack for uncreative lyrics.
Though rappers often like to flaunt the luxurious and gaudy lifestyles they live, something else has to be occurring in 2 Chainz’s life other than sex, drugs and money. Only “Ghetto Dreams” hints at something other than his sexual exploits or his rapping “skills,” yet it still suffers because of a horrid guest appearance. But even that isn’t too shocking, considering every guest artist (save Drake and Kanye) is harmful to the song he or she invades, especially a very uninspired and disappointing feature from Lil Wayne on “Yuck.”
If there could be a bright spot found anywhere in this mess of an effort, it would have to be this: 2 Chainz is obviously talented. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in this position. His creative ability shows on this LP — he just has no way of controlling it or giving it life. Hopefully, he will learn a little more from Kanye before he gives recording another try.