2Chainz

Before he was a solo name, 2 Chainz was half of Playaz Circle, a College Park duo he formed with his high school friend Earl "Dolla Boy" Conyers. The pair signed to Ludacris's Disturbing tha Peace label, and their 2007 single "Duffle Bag Boy", featuring Lil Wayne, remains their best-known record. Born Tauheed Epps, he has since worked as a rapper, songwriter and actor.

His solo career began in 2012, when Def Jam signed him and his guest verse on Kanye West's "Mercy" gave him his first solo Billboard Hot 100 entry, peaking at number 13. His debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, topped the Billboard 200 on the strength of "No Lie" with Drake and "Birthday Song" with West, though critical reception was mixed. Its follow-up, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time (2013), saw critical reception improve despite a slight commercial dip. He left Def Jam in 2024, after Welcome 2 Collegrove, his 2023 album with Lil Wayne. His 2016 guest spot on Chance the Rapper's "No Problem" won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance.