Rap-Up.com || Review Roundup: 2 Chainz – ‘Based on a T.R.U. Story’

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, 2 Chainz was still best known as Tity Boi, one half of Southern duo Playaz Circle. Since then, he’s been featured on tracks for everyone from Kanye West to Justin Bieber and dropped his highly-anticipated solo debut Based on a T.R.U. Story this week. The star-studded set includes appearances from Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kanye, John Legend, Chris Brown, and more.

Did the critics give 2 Chainz two thumbs up? Find out below.

Rolling Stone: His commercial solo debut is packed with A-list cameos and producers, but 2 Chainz commands the spotlight—rapping about success and sex with the irrepressible enthusiasm of the upstart he isn’t. 3.5/5

Los Angeles Times: Even guest appearances by Kanye West and Nicki Minaj don’t provide much boost. Other cameos include Drake, The-Dream, and John Legend, and they’re all so much better at their art that rather than their host stepping up to their level, 2 Chainz drags them down. 1/4

USA Today: His major label solo debut offers little more than the typical club anthems and swaggering boasts. Guests provide the best moments. “No Lie” with Drake and “Birthday Song” with Kanye West are as good as it gets. 2/4

The Boston Globe: A highly buzzed about hip-hop artist should make a debut that moves the genre’s dial ahead a notch. Unfortunately, this long-awaited CD from the Georgia MC relies on too many cliches to be a revelation.

The Washington Post: It’s hard to resist repetitive hooks that aren’t exactly catchy or well-constructed but still get stuck in one’s head even after a single listen. … There are laughably simple declarations (“She got a big booty / So I call her Big Booty,” from “Birthday”), but also clever punch lines.

Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “No Lie,” “Birthday Song,” “Extremely Blessed,” “I Luv Dem Strippers”

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47 Comments

idk...
August 15th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Damn…

[Reply]
Lookin 4 a good time call: 1-800-grab some lotion Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@idk…, The rating r absolutely right… I listen to the whole album yesterday…I was expecting a lot from 2 chainz but his lyrics was soooo bad… like go on youtube and listen to his album…
the only good song is no lie

[Reply]
XO till we overdose... Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 12:17 am
@Lookin 4 a good time call: 1-800-grab some lotion,
no offense but why would you expect so much from him? 2 chainz was always a horrible lyricist who is only able to rap about women and alcohol. i was actually surprised at how HIGH the reviews were for this album. 2 chainz is like the ultimate child of soulja boy, gucci mane, plies, wocka flocka, and every single other shallow rapper out there.
i still can’t believe my favorite rapper kanye was the one who made him famous…

[Reply]
Chiare
August 15th, 2012 at 7:39 am
Even the critics say 2 chainz suck lmaoo

[Reply]
Creative Minds
August 15th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Yeah this album was horrible. It definately deserves a 1/4

[Reply]
jack lacket
August 15th, 2012 at 7:51 am
what a brown head

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Cameron
August 15th, 2012 at 7:52 am
Not even keen on getting it to be honest.

[Reply]
Zave
August 15th, 2012 at 7:53 am
LOL

[Reply]
Be3000
August 15th, 2012 at 7:58 am
She got a big booty , So I call her Big Booty?

Really wtf? Everything Los Angeles Times says was true, the cameos made this album worth even listening too but 2 Chainz wack lyricism and boring flow brought them down! A song by him without a big feature is a song not worth listening too

[Reply]
EJ_BHG
August 15th, 2012 at 8:00 am
Rolling Stone is really the only one that matters

[Reply]
rwrw Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 8:11 am
@EJ_BHG, whatever helps u sleep better

[Reply]
LeahLoveLace Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 8:36 am
@rwrw, it’s true Rollin Stone predicts flops

[Reply]
SdotB Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 7:17 am
@LeahLoveLace, but Rolling Stone is the only one with an above average review…so what are u saying?

[Reply]
Tev
August 15th, 2012 at 8:01 am
LMAO!!

[Reply]
Kyle
August 15th, 2012 at 8:11 am
I haven’t been into anything he’s released and I figured his album wouldn’t get the greatest reviews. He’s all hype but his music has no substance. Sounds like all the other shit that’s out right now. The only rap album I bought this summer was Nas’ “Life Is Good.” Now that was a good album!

[Reply]
Juicy Duh Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@Kyle, thumbs up

[Reply]
Creative Minds Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@Kyle, Cosign. So far Nas has the Best Album Of 2012. Can listen to that whole album without skipping a track.

[Reply]
Ice
August 15th, 2012 at 8:12 am
The album was better than Ross’s, imo. But 2 Chainz isn’t even the highlight, the features and productions are.

[Reply]
Mentamir
August 15th, 2012 at 8:34 am
These reviews are on point. Not that I expected a lot from 2 Chainz, but to charge people money for such an underwhelming effort? No, man. Not cool.

[Reply]
Mentamir
August 15th, 2012 at 8:38 am
Nothing about 2 Chainz is appealing to me. He is in his thirties, he is not necessarily what I consider attractive and he does not have that much talent. Cool music videos? Thank the director. Nice outfits? Thank the stylist. What is it that 2 Chainz himself brings to the table? Absolutely nothing. It is beyond me why he has so much hype behind him.

[Reply]
steviegerrard Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 9:49 am
@Mentamir, agree. he is truly terrible

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Cassive
August 15th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Don’t call me a hater! But this album is CRAP!!! I was expecting it to be okay at least.

[Reply]
Jake
August 15th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Point blank, the album is terrible. That LA Times review is true and funny as hell.

[Reply]
Antonio
August 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
What’s sad is that even with these negative reviews, he’s gonna have a #1 album next week…

[Reply]
INCAS
August 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
2 Chainz is like…hmm… a little bit goes a long way like features on others track. But a whole album is way too much. Especially when it’s whack

[Reply]
Blah
August 15th, 2012 at 10:18 am
he not that good but he can drop a hit every now and then

[Reply]
Mentamir Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Blah, I do agree with that. Though I think he doesn’t deserve his status, songs like Birthday Song and I Luv Dem Strippers are nice to listen to, but it’s more mixtape worthy than album worthy.

[Reply]
SdotB Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 7:20 am
@Mentamir, yeah but without the features those tracks would be nothing…b/c even with the features, they’re both trash

[Reply]
Miszi
August 15th, 2012 at 10:20 am
For once I can say reviewers did they job and were completely honest. I don’t see a single reason why this guy has any hype at all.

[Reply]
Miszi Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 10:28 am
@Miszi, their*

[Reply]
WtF
August 15th, 2012 at 10:25 am
what kind of namw is titty boi hahaha

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Cudi the Kid
August 15th, 2012 at 11:34 am
Did people expect something great? He is horrible. He has a song called Murda featuring Kreayshawn and she killed him on his own song. I honestly dont get why Kanye signed him. Kanye has a good ear for talent but he dropped the ball with 2 Chainz

[Reply]
Aunt.dot
August 15th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
lmao im not surprise..
most of this “rapper” are nothing but a flashy corny punchline.

“All these stu-di-o gangsters, year after year
With these gimiicks I can’t take it they ain’t real so they fakin it
How did they make it in this game for so long”

[Reply]
Lookin 4 a good time call: 1-800-grab some lotion
August 15th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
WELL… The album cover is nice!

[Reply]
Creative Minds
August 15th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
The best thing about the album is the Cover.

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SoOdd
August 15th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Just listened to the whole album on Spotify(free). After Rozay and Nas albums dropped the last couple weeks, this is really weak. Probably a single, not a homerun with this one. Being from Atlanta, I expected more from Tidday Boi. Extremely Blessed and In Town are pretty good.

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Mr Nice Watch
August 15th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
lol SHUT DOWN! Go home Titi Boi. damn trend rapper

[Reply]
rebel
August 15th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
His fans actin like he was about to drop some real bars or something lol y’all already know he trash with good beats sooo

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Hugh
August 15th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
No Lie is cool. Most of the first half I’ve listened to is pretty good.

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TRUTH
August 15th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
O_O LMAO @ L.A. TIMES REVIE!

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Bluieez Jearn Part
August 15th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
I know some people say that his album is Not Good, & it suck cause he didn’t do Good on his debut Album mean the LYrics that 2Chainz be saying

[Reply]
Bluieez Jearn Part
August 15th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Damn his album didn’t do no Good

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Young Pereezy YMCMB-MMG
August 16th, 2012 at 4:09 am
I Expected Better

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Yasmine
August 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
The saddest part about this is that he’s projected to sale about 140K.

Meanwhile — and I know she’s a singer, I’m just comparing the quality of the music — Elle Varner is also slated for a Top 10 debut, but only on target to sale about 25-30K copies.

Sad.

[Reply]
Wednesday
August 16th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Smh @yasmin this is the world that we live in

[Reply]
Latonya
August 20th, 2012 at 11:44 am
I think the problem was dropping your DEBUT, your first album with so many features. 2 chainz has great lines and bad lines but his featured are so great at rapping that they overshadowed him.

[Reply]
CHILL
August 21st, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Lotta potential, coaching needed, hook help, and he gotta match his songs n beats better

[Reply]