2 Chainz
Tauheed Epps first released music under the pseudonym Tity Boi before changing his stage name to 2 Chainz in 2011. Forming Playaz Circle with childhood friend Earl Conners (aka Dolla Boy), the hip hop duo came to the attention of Ludacris after the release of their debut album United We Stand, United We Fall (2002). Signing to Luda's Disturbing Tha Peace label, they released their debut single "Duffle Bag Boy," featuring Lil Wayne, before their first studio album Supply & Demand (2007). After one more album, Flight 360: The Take Off (2009), Epps left Playaz Circle and Disturbing Tha Peace to focus on his solo career. Taking on the pseudonym 2 Chainz, he released the mixtape T.R.U.REALigion (2011) to build buzz before his debut solo album Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012) was released on Def Jam Records. Featuring special guests including Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and his old partner Dolla Boy, the album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys. Follow up B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time (2013) featured another array of global guest stars such as Pharrell Williams, Fergie, (Black Eyed Peas) and Pusha T. By this time, 2 Chainz had become a much in-demand guest rapper, appearing on hits by Tinie Tempah, R Kelly and Jason Derulo. He also guested on Robin Thicke's single "Give it 2 Me," performing live alongside Thicke during Miley Cyrus's infamous performance at the 2013 MTV Music Video Awards.