Tauheed Epps, professionally known as 2 Chainz, is an American rapper, hip-hop artist, media personality, and basketball player. He rose to fame with his debut studio album, which sold in 147,000 copies during the first week of its release.
The GRAMMY award-winning rapper has quite an interesting background, so let’s explore his early life, career beginnings, and the latest gossip.
Early Life
Born in College Park, Georgia, Epps had a tough childhood. His father was arrested several times, so he was raised primarily by his mother. His outlet was basketball, which he was always great at. He attended North Clayton High School and graduated second in his class.
Despite being a good student and athlete, he started dealing drugs as a teenager. When he was only 15, he was arrested for cocaine possession.
He later attended Alabama State University, where he also played basketball, before transferring to and graduating from Virginia State University.
Career
During high school, Epps formed a hip-hop duo Playaz Circle. The duo’s singles and independent album United We Stand, United We Fall were received very well by both critics and fans, and they soon started collaborating with rapper Ludacris.
Their debut album Supply & Demand became an instant hit, with a debut hit single featuring rapper Lil Wayne. The second album, Flight 360: The Takeoff, was also a great success. Nevertheless, Epps decided to pursue a solo career soon afterward.
He adopted the name 2 Chainz and released a hit single No Lie featuring Drake. What followed was a hugely successful debut studio album Based on a T.R.U. Story, followed by other huge successes, especially his second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time.
2 Chainz has received multiple BET Hip Hop Award and GRAMMY Award nominations, winning 5 BET Awards and one GRAMMY.
In the News
A lot of controversies follow 2 Chainz around, and many of them revolve around drugs. In 2013, he was arrested at LAX for carrying marijuana and promethazine. He’s been arrested multiple times for drug possession.
2 Chainz is married to Kesha Ward, with whom he has three children. These days, he’s promoting his latest album, Rap or Go to the League, which features Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Chance the Rapper, Travis Scott, and many others.
Stay tuned with The Shade Room to keep up with all things 2 Chainz!
