2 Chainz- Dope Don’t Sell Itself Review
2 Chainz, born Taheed Epps straight out of College Park Atlanta knows how to keep the party going with his music about money, woman, and lavish items. 2 Chainz made one of them solo break outs in the early 2000’s signed to Ludacris record label, Disturbing Tha Peace as 1/2 of the southern group, Playaz Circle along with Dolla Boi. During small experimentation with mixtapes like Me Against The World & Trapavelli, 2 Chainz back then known as Tity Boi made himself a household staple with his clever way of putting words together.
Coming from the city of music, Tony (2 Chainz) is no stranger to the underground and the mainstream. Giving this solo thing a try, 2 Chainz has made a firm name with the company he built and drawing away from Luda to make a fresh start, 2 Chainz AKA Tity Boi keeps the party going creating a fan base that is out of this world. Being friends with Lil Wayne, he continues the fun side of music where there are clever ways to describe things and where metaphors and similes matter.
2 Chainz actually has a great discography and do not let the Verzuz battle between him and Ross fool you because to me, it reminds me of Pacquao Vs Mayweather where I would not say who won but would not be mad at whoever the peers say who won. Mayweather won by decision but many people argue that Manny won because of how busy he kept himself. In that case during that Verzuz, Rick Ross would be Mayweather but Chainz kept himself busy throughout the battle.
2 Chainz is reproducing a string of trap rappers who are influenced by the grime, lavish, and struggles of being on top. His creative ways of saying the most simple things could make him an MC because of how captivating he draws the crowd together.
On Feb 4, 2022, 2 Chainz dropped his highly anticipated album, Dope Don’t Sell Itself. Since it is 1st quarter in the music game to drop albums, Epps has decided to get the party started early with his effort as he clarifies how dope his music is and to prove that Dope Don’t Sell Itself. It is a metaphor to show that 2 Chainz has to sell himself to keep his product moving and 2 Chainz matched the hype and stigma it has came with.
While we dig though each track, we will talk about it’s euphoric appearance and why it is unique. Note that in 2010, he along with Juicy J & Pusha T are those artist who stuck with a group for years and managed to create a solo buzz for themselves. 2 Chainz could be like Snoop Dogg because he is one of the most recognized features in our culture and like his music or not, 2 Chainz always had that music that will turn a rich lady into a ratchet overnight.
- Bet It Back- A hilarious intro where 2 Chainz raps “Just like a janitor, I got keys dancing”, (2 Chainz, 2022) which is an introduction to how dope don’t sell itself. You got to be the one to move the dope and with music, 2 Chainz is treating his music like product and moving it forward. 2 Chainz goes into an all out metaphor war over simple things like dope but his music is dope so keep the product coming.
- Pop Music Feat. Moneybagg Yo & Beat King- A strip club anthem but 2 Chainz is no stranger to the strip club scene. Moneybagg Yo reminds me of old school Project Pat on this beat because of the hilarious grimey way he talks about being in the shake joint. To be honest, if you want a ratchet CD, put 2 Chainz & Moneybagg Yo on the same CD and see if your wife, girlfriend, little sister, or any woman will get straight grubby with it.
- Ghostwriter Kingpen Feat. Lil Baby- I honestly think this is a reference song for Kanye. Remember when Ye was doing his Donda Tour and rehearsal at Atlanta stadium and 2 Chainz was in the locker room recording songs. If this song had Kanye’s voice over 2 Chainz, it would make more sense and Lil Baby has drove a fan base that makes you think of Drake or Wayne when they reached their peak. Note that the summer of 2006 was Lil Waynes and it rode all the way through the 2010’s. Same with Drake. Only difference is Drake & Wayne had to do numerous of releases while Lil Baby caught a wave within 2 years and this was before his collaboration with Gunna called, Dtip Harder.
- Outstanding Feat. Roddie Rich- Roddie Rich got Nipsey’s blessing being on Racks in the Middle in which this song reminds me of that record alone. Outstanding is a track about 2 Chainz about how he came up stunting on those who did not believe he could have all these things. Roddie Rich is the new hookman that is taking over Hip-Hop and he has brought together a voice everyone can listen to. This matches with 2 Chainz perfectly because of the chemistry and how Roddie Rich can relate to Chainz ratchet style of music.
- Neighbors Know My Name- If Shawty Lo is alive, he should get a remix on the song which would make this song the ultimate strip club anthem. Even if the stripper is ugly, this footprint is a song where you see woman flashing at you or you can see yourself throwing money on a stripper.
- Million Dollars Worth Of Game Feat. 42 Dugg- All that was missing was the 42 Dugg whistle. Detroit sound matches with 2 Chainz strip club timetable because of the bounce this album has. He raps “ For the first couple of shows, the fnm was my hype man”, (2 Chainz, 2022) where he is metaphorically saying he carries his gun with him on show and one thing his gun and his hypeman have in common; They both get it jumping. 42 Dugg is a fresh face and he is specialized in these type of beats.
- Free B.G- An ode to the original Hot Boy. This song should have a remix with Lil Wayne and Juvenile. This reminds me of the old Cash Money days and 2 Chainz knows how to pay his respects towards those that has influenced him in his music.
- 10 Bracelets Feat. NBA Youngboy- Speaking of Cash Money, this is another song that reminds me of the old Cash Money days. NBA Youngboy reminds me of Lil Wayne from the Hot Boys days on this record and 2 Chainz says in a witty way, “I own my own restaurant, I do not even buy food”, (2 Chainz, 2022) where he raps about he is eating forever and he never bought groceries in a long time.
- Lost Kings Feat. Lil Durk & Sleepy Rose- A typical song about how it is a struggle when people kill one another. End of the day, we are all kings like all woman are queens.
- Caymans Feat. Swae Lee- Swae Lee’s background hooks and voice makes me so anticipated for his next project. 2 Chainz raps “If I had no bags to sell, I’d be unemployed”, (2 Chainz, 2022) talking about if he never hustled, he would not be making any money. This guitar rift made this song sound a bit soul soothing but if you visit the south, they like stuff like this because of how country the south is.
- Vlad TV Feat. Steve God Cooks, Symba, & Major Myjah- If you’re a Griselda fan, you would recognize Stove God Cooks and when I read his name on the tracklist, I was excited. Symba been on my radar since 2020 ever since the man rapped on LA Leakers and he is hella talented for what he raps. He actually has a great debut and happen so, 2 Chainz co-signed him with a guest feature on the album marking him next up for Hip-Hops newer generation to come out and shine. Tony shows love to the label that started him rapping “Coke, I use to move that bitch like Luda”, (2 Chainz, 2022) referencing his song, “Move” from 2002.
- If You Want Me Too Feat. Jacquees- The outro is for the woman showing those that 2 Chainz never left his ratcet roots and created a song for the woman to get comfortable too. A nasty song for the woman so you can turn the lights out and make out if you want too.
Overall
2 Chainz added another album to his discography where 2 Chainz kept it to his ratchet roots. 2 Chainz despite how he raps about the same subjects is actually a very smart man when it comes to creativity because he uses his imagination to come up with creative ways of putting words together. Leaving us with music to party too, 2 Chainz drops gems that makes us want to party, ride, or hustle or floss.
During the wait since So Help Me God, 2 Chainz had me waiting for a new album every year because of how he delivers good rhymes over beats. He can even rap on the most terrible beat known to man and make it still sound good. One of the most recognizable figures in the rap game right now, 2 Chainz has solidified himself as one of those who’s records, anyone can get ratchet to.
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
