2012 was a monumental year for 2 Chainz, as the rapper's titular ad-lib was impossible to escape, whether on his countless features or massively successful solo singles. After release of his debut album under his new pseudonym (never forget his long stint as Tity Boi), Chainz became a little less omni-present, instead choosing to broaden his range and make a bid as an album artist. This phase made for some of his best work to date, including the eternally underrated BOATS II, and his experimental Freebase EP.
After perfecting his craft, the Atlanta rapper proved his hit-making abilities once again with 2015's "Watch Out," and ever since, he's back to stealing the spotlight on every one of his features, even among artists like Kanye West, Drake, and Gucci Mane. In case you haven't been paying attention to the current Chainz run, we've put together a rundown of 5 of his best verses this year. Click through the gallery and give it up for the incomparable Tity 2 Necklace.
Magic City Monday
Jeezy- "Magic City Monday" (Feat. 2 Chainz & Future)
Quotable: "Rest in peace Nando, car full of ammo / Abracadabra, Magic, Orlando / Hop up out the bando, hop up out the Lambo / Got my Cuban links on, they gon' need a passport / I'm doin' the dashboard, paid $300 cash for it / Used to have the glass like it came out the backboard / Came in the backdoor, skin color rim / Man the bitch keep rubbin' on me, I'ma turn into a genie"
2 Chainz made his name (well, at least his second name) off of punchline-driven features on strip club records, and "Magic City Monday" finds him in that very familiar territory. While he's revealed himself to be a very multi-dimensional rapper over the last few years, he still knows how to mail it home when it comes to the animated burst this type of record calls for. Of course, he manages to slip in some multi-syllabic rhymes throughout, once again proving himself as an overachieving feature, stealing the scene once again among some of the best from his city.
Might Not
Belly - "Might Not (Remix)" (Feat. 2 Chainz, The Weeknd & Yo Gotti)
Quotable: "Gutter like a bowlin' alley, even in the booth / I'm wearin' a Gucci jacket, Cartier lens, bracelet to match it / 'Scuse me, pass the gasses, headband in the plastic / Like I'm a professor, I'm in my own classes / Turn the work to gymnastics, watch me flip the cash / On her, a shot of the D'usse, and a shot for her ass"
On the remix to Belly's "Might Not," 2 Chainz opens the song up, starting things off strong by pulling out a variety of flows and creating a vivid, colorful pictures with each and every line, bragging about his height and suggesting he play for the Hawks, recalling when he used t-shirt for a napkin, and coupling it all with a does of the no-filter wordplay he does so well.
100it Racks
DJ Esco- "100it Racks (Feat. Future, Drake & 2 Chainz)
Quotable: "Everybody put your hands higher / Then I chop the top like, "Hiyah" / All of my 16s fire / All of my bitches buyers / They buyin' extra clothes, I mean / They bisexual, I mean / Versace sectional, I mean / Roll up the Texaco, I mean / This is the crazy flow / I got a straightjacket in the booth / I smoke a joint durin' an interview / Got the Rolex playin' peek-a-boo"
However you may feel about DJ Esco's new mixtape, one thing is objectively true -- 2 Chainz came correct on "100it Racks". Even up against Drake and Future, arguably the two hottest rappers in the game right now, Chainz shines the brightest. While Future and Drizzy both opt for a grumbly delivery, Chainz builds off of the rhythm, adding subtle complexities to the guideline as he goes, as well as introducing some effectively fresh flows of his own. It's a commanding feature that stands out not only on the song but the entire project.
No Problem
Chance The Rapper - "No Problem" (Feat. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne)
Quotable: "My first tat was on my stomach / Got a pocket full of money / And a mind full of ideas / Some of this shit may sound weird / Inside of the Maybach / Look like it came out of Ikea"
Chance The Rapper tends to bring the best out of his collaborators, and while 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne pushed one another to bring their A-Game throughout their collaborative project, ColleGrove, the addition of Chance on "No Problem" has them even hungrier. In fact, it's almost impossible to pick the best verse here, especially since all three emcees double down on their best idiosyncrasies. Here, Chainz mixes both personal anecdotes and hilarious punchlines only he could come up with ("me and God dappin'"), making for a verse that hits both the soul and the funny bone.
Champions
Kanye West- "Champions" (Feat. 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Quavo, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Travis Scott & Desiigner)
Quotable: "See that is a snowball effect / I got gold on my neck / Lookin' like a Super Bowl on my neck / I got a mansion full of marble floors / It look like I could go bowl in this bitch / Versace logos on bowls in this bitch / Like I'm a serial killer / I put the real in gorilla / I did this shit for my niggas"
Having the best verse on a song with 7 other rappers is quite an accomplishment, especially when Gucci Mane and Kanye are among those featured. Despite the stiff competition, 2 Chainz pulled the robbery on "Champions". The beat gets very skeletal when Chainz shows up, but his personality more than fills the space, and once the Mike Dean synths enter, Chainz remains head above water, surfing the triumphant beat that's big enough to swallow a lesser rapper whole. Just when it seems he's hit his peak energy, he floors it on the last few bars and cements his trophy for best 16.