PERSONAL TOP 10: 2 CHAINZ

“I’m Black, rich and educated so I got the power.”

Graphic designed by KIRU.

Tauheed K. Epps, professionally known as 2 Chainz, was signed to Def Jam Records in February 2012 (ten years ago) and is today revered as one of the reigning champs of southern hip hop music.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Something we often see in the artists we look up to, from Nicki Minaj to Doja Cat, James Brown and The Weeknd, is that against all odds, they rise. The story of 2 Chainz is no different. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, young Tauheed was both an athlete and a scholar. In an article published to The Daily Beast, Marlow Stern shared notes on the rapper’s adolescent years:

“It turns out the man formerly known as Tauheed Epps was blessed with a jump shot. He played ball at North Clayton High School, dealing weed on the side. At 15, he was busted for felony cocaine possession. Despite his extracurricular activities, he still managed to graduate second in his class, earning a scholarship to Alabama State.”

One thing that separates 2 Chainz from many others who grew up in similar situations, like the…