Recently, 2 Chainz, the rap legend of Atlanta, revealed something that got fans and casual observers alike going crazy. He claims to have come up with three mega smashes, “Mercy”, “No Lie”, and “Birthday Song”, in one single electrifying night. The revelation isn’t just testimony to his creative genius but a vivid snap of the work ethic that has brought him this far in his stellar career.
Picture this: the clock strikes midnight, the city is slept, and 2 Chainz is in the studio, working his so-called “vampire shift.” In infectious energy and signature humor, the rapper dove head-first into making tracks that would define an era of hip-hop. By morning, he was done with not just one, but three iconic songs. Big-name guest stars like Kanye West and Drake make these tracks staples of the early 2010s that launched 2 Chainz into hip-hop royalty.
But what is the magic behind such a feat? The studio methodology adopted by 2 Chainz is as interesting as his music. At night, he works; this is a time when distractions are least, and creativity flows unabashedly.
No longer writing lyrics, he instead crafts rhymes in his head with repetition, often mumbling over each line until it’s just right before hopping in the booth. It’s a very iterative process: recording a couple of bars at one time, moving the flow around until it works, and layering on his signature ad-libs-those playful, hype-building exclamations fans love.
His sessions are relaxed but focused, with a casual ambiance of marijuana smoke and dim lighting. It’s an environment to breed creativity with no filters, the place where tracks like “No Lie” and “Birthday Song” were born.
Of course, it isn’t the first time 2 Chainz has wowed the world with cool output. From solo bangers like “I’m Different” to unforgettable collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, his discography is almost like a greatest-of playlist. The fact that he can adapt and thrive alongside icons like Kanye West and Drake only adds to his staying power in the industry.
His impact was even revisited in his recent performance for the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards. The crowd went back in time to the gold of the decade of the 2010s with every classic medley he did on stage-a time that saw the reign of trap music and 2 Chainz as its undisputed king.
Now independent from Def Jam, 2 Chainz embarks on an impressive new chapter in his now-illustrious career. He is finally free to move in creative new directions sans corporate oversight, a fitting evolution for one who always has marched to the beat of his own drum.
But the impact of “Mercy,” “No Lie,” and “Birthday Song” extends far beyond the charts. These songs codified the mainstream sound of trap: thundering 808s, intricate wordplay, and earworm hooks. The way 2 Chainz blended humor with realness has sent scores of younger artists in pursuit of the same blend of lyrical imaginativeness and entrepreneurial hustle.
Beyond the music, 2 Chainz has proved himself to be a true cultural icon: from the high-end fashion sense to the endeavors like T.R.U. Records and his TV show “Most Expensivest,” he reimagines what it means to be a modern rapper. The ability to pull off multiple roles of artist, entrepreneur, and trendsetter has made him the role model for the next.
