2 Chainz, Rap or Go to the League | Album Review 💿

The ever-colorful, southern rapper 2 Chainz returns with a pleasant, well-rounded fifth studio album with ‘Rap or Go to the League.’

2 Chainz is one of rap’s most colorful personalities, period.  Over the course of his career, Tauheed Epps has always been entertaining, winning people over with his utterly dumb yet endearing rhymes.  On his pleasant, well-rounded fifth studio album, Rap or Go to the League, listeners are treated to ‘more of the same’ from the rapper, but he also incorporates some more serious and thoughtful moments as well.

“Forgiven”

“And we’ll introduce you to the starting lineup… Coached by James Gwynn, his starters, number 21, Tauheed Epps…” Incorporating the basketball concept from the jump, ✓ “Forgiven” respectably commences Rap or Go to the League.  Here, 2 Chainz enlists the ever-expressive, soulful vocals of Marsha Ambrosius on the ‘forgiving’ chorus.  2 Chainz turns out a reflective, thoughtful performance, discussing his past, mistakes, the costly mistakes of others, violence, and emphasizing the power of prayer, forgiveness, and redemption.  

Without a soulful vocalist by his side on ✓ “Threat 2 Society,” 2 Chainz leans on a gospel sample courtesy of The Truthettes (“So Good to Be Alive”).  He rides the sample superbly, once more delivering more serious rhymes.  One of the most eyebrow-raising lyrics occurs when he admits, “I done some things I ain’t proud of / Like sold my mom drugs.” At the same time, he remains ‘true to self’ employing a colorful approach to his rhymes. Keeping things soulful and filled with swagger, Chainz drops a sick flow on the bright, brassy, short, but sweet “Money in the Way.” 

“Statute of Limitations”

The brief “Statute of Limitations” features solid production work.  It’s incredibly simple –almost anybody could play those one-note, right-hand piano lines – but effective.  Once more, 2 Chainz reflects on his past, including being an ex-drug dealer.  Follow-up “High Top Versace” brings the colorful Young Thug aboard for the ride. Save for the first verse performed by 2 Chainz (“I’m a beast, I’m a dog, I ain’t takin’ no days off”), there is ample Thugga on the track (“I got rose gold stars on a Rolls Royce truck / All this motherfuckin’ money startin’ to double up”).

Travis Scott delivers a characteristic performance as the featured guest on “Whip,” meaning his vocals are heavily processed and of course, melodic. His chorus works well on this relaxed, flex fest.  As for 2 Chainz, he’s certainly not profound lyrically – it’s basic more often than not – but he remains entertaining, in a most idiosyncratic way. ✓ “NCAA” follows, keeping the basketball concept of Rap or Go to the League afloat.  That said, its mostly the “ballin’ hard” that occurs on the chorus, with a select few moments during the verses.  The absolutely filthy “I’m playin’ with the clit like a guitar” definitely doesn’t involve a basketball the last time I checked.

“Momma I Hit a Lick”

“Fall off in this bitch, I ball off in this bitch / My commas hit the floor, you call off in this bitch.”  Among the very best records from Rap or Go to the League arrives with ✓ “Momma I Hit A Lick.” “Momma” features the signature, quirky production courtesy of Pharrell Williams, as well as a colorful guest contribution from Kendrick Lamar.  The pop cultural references are quite interesting, including Vivica Fox, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne, Fab Five and Desperate Housewives.  Another magnificent collaboration follows with ✓ “Rule the World” featuring Ariana Grande.  Grande sounds superb on the chorus, singing with ease, never breaking a sweat. 2 Chainz ‘softens his tone,’ focusing on love and of course, sex.  ‘Softens’ must be taken contextually of course, as the rapper still drops lines like “Sorry I ain’t answer the phone, I was slappin’ ass / Last night ain’t answer, I was pullin’ hair.”

Ty Dolla $ign is a perfect fit on the groovy “Girl’s Best Friend,” remaining within the character of his signature role.  As for 2 Chainz, he drops a rather low-energy performance, rapping incredibly nonchalantly, particularly on the second verse.  Again, the lack of profundity and transcendence shows, but the vibe makes “Girl’s Best Friend” worthwhile.  Sometimes, a change of pace is welcome. Mustard and Terrace Martin help engineer a slight change of pace as they stitch up a club-ready, West-Coast gem for Chainz. ✓ “2 Dollar Bill” remains idiomatic of the southern rapper mind you, who goes as dumb as ever (“Spit cold shit, need Mucinex”).  He’s assisted by his southern bro, Lil Wayne (“I’m rare, like a commercial with Future and Cher”), not to mention his West Coast bro, E-40 (“My bite is stronger than my bark, this shit like dog park”).  The results are on-point, even if there’s nothing game changing about the likes of “Like a two-dollar bill (I’m rare, I’m rare).”

“I Said Me”

Rap or Go to the League ends strong.  ✓ “I Said Me” benefits from two familiar, frequently used samples – “A Garden of Peace” (Lonnie Liston Smith) and “My Favorite Things” (The Sound of Music).  As he does throughout the course of the album, 2 Chainz continues to endear with his distinct flow, even if the rhymes are at times suspect AF.  The chorus is quite memorable. Chance the Rapper and Kodak Black join the party on the ultra-smooth, if lengthy penultimate record “I’m Not Crazy, Life Is.” Once more, the lushness of the sound and overall vibe contributes to the pleasantry of the record. ✓ “Sam” concludes the effort reflectively, finding 2 Chainz rapping about taxes. Arguably, the outro is the most memorable moment from the song.

Final Thoughts

All in all, 2 Chainz delivers another well-rounded studio album with Rap or Go to the League.  He successful weaves in the basketball concept throughout, but isn’t stringent with it per se.  There are some more reflective, serious moments on this album, but you still get a heaping dose of the rapper keeping it basic AF and going dumb.  Regardless, 2 Chainz fans should be onboard.

✓ Gems: “Forgiven,” “Threat 2 Society,” “NCAA,”“Momma I Hit A Lick,” “Rule the World,” “2 Dollar Bill,” “I Said Me” & “Sam”

2 Chainz • Rap or Go to the League • Def Jam • Release: 3.1.19

Photo Credit: Def Jam