Joining an array of anticipated hip-hop efforts, 2 Chainz's major label debut (on Def Jam)
Based On A T.R.U. Story does not disappoint. While it may lack the intellect of Nas's
Life Is Good or the money savvy swag of Rick Ross's masterful
God Forgives I Don't, Based On A T.R.U. Story delivers both solid and some truly noteworthy moments. Sure, there are some humorous, `stupid' cuts that could have easily been on Waka Flocka Flame's most recent
Triple F Life: Fans, Friends & Family, but there are also some surprising, head-nodding ones too.
"Yuck!" opens the effort with a dramatic, dark and malicious sound. After the orchestra setting is established with flurries of strings, clapping synthetic snares serve as the percussive accompaniment to STREETRUNNER/Matthew Burnett's production masterpiece. 2 Chainz delivers a capable and compelling set of rhymes here, with a lengthy, though solid and explicit hook from none other than `Tunechi' (aka Lil Wayne).
"Crack" has a hard act to follow and it does so talking about, well `crack.' Well produced (Southside), the cut is less effective mainly due to the fact it is much simpler and more repetitive. It's not bad, but nor is it nearly as great as "Yuck!"
"Dope Peddler" samples Tom Lehrer's "The Old Dope Peddler" in interesting fashion. Due to a short first verse, the cut comes off repetitive due to the near succession of the repetitive hook: "Started with an OZ/end up riding fo' deep/pull up to the club..." Regardless, "Dope Peddler" is enjoyable enough without spoiling listeners.
"No Lie," featuring Drake, is solid, featuring Drake's quasi-rap/sung vocals on the hook. Produced by Mike-Will-Made-It and co-produced by Marz, the production begins a bit mellow and understated, erupting into an edgier sound. Edgy would characterize where 2 Chainz's mind is at throughout (`no lie' for sure). Drake as usual sells the profanity-laced hook with such grace, if there is such a thing.
"Birthday Song," featuring Kanye West easily graces the top three of Based On A T.R.U. Story. Produced by Sonny Digital and co-produced by West, "Birthday Song" is quirky enough to eliminate predictability, which is a plus. 2 Chainz get's things rolling with an epic hook following a random intro: "They ask me what I do and who I do it for/and how I come up with this ___ in the studio... When I die bury me inside the Gucci store..." While 2 Chainz's verse is fine, West out raps him in a fine second verse. The two MC's join forces for the final verse.
"I'm Different" doesn't compete in the same league as "Birthday Song," unsurprisingly. Dijon "DJ Mustard" McFarlane's production is great regardless, yielding a clean and minimalist sound. 2 Chainz vocal production is as well executed as it has been the entirety of the album, which is another highlight. Regardless, "I'm Different" doesn't have the `juice' of "Yuck!," "No Lie," or "Birthday Song."
"Extremely Blessed," featuring and produced by The-Dream (Terius Nash), competes much better with the best. While it is a notch below, The-Dream paints a softer, gentler palette for 2 Chainz to `paint' upon. The-Dream sings so `chivalrously': "Honey complexion/body of a goddess/22s on the Lexus, named Alexis/By the way of Texas/Big face Rolexes...She's extremely blessed..." 2 Chainz couldn't be outdone of course: "Give us this day our daily bread/if you a chicken head, go somewhere and lay some eggs." Alrighty then.
"I Love Dem Strippers" is one of them `stupid' tracks that works. Having Nicki Minaj assist on a verse certainly helps, particularly when she can hang with any male MC. The hook is `dumb,' but a good `dumb' making "I Love Dem Strippers" worth the listen. Listeners shouldn't lose too many brain cells on this one.
Any lost brain cells are atoned for on the excellent "Stop Me Now," featuring Dolla Boy. Featuring excellent interpolation of "Nothing Can Stop Me" and opting for soulful, dusty drum programming as opposed to southern pummeling drums, "Stop Me Now" has more `class' about it. 2 Chainz kills the hook, even managing to reference Cindy Lauper of all people (she must be proud).
"Money Machine," produced by Drumma Boy (of Young Jeezy fame in particular), is another production highlight if nothing else. The cut itself is good though not nearly as great as the best, particularly the tour de force that proceeds it.
"In Town," featuring Mike Posner (co-produced by him and Lil Ronnie) is valedictory. Beautiful, soulful, salacious all in one, "In Town" is the unexpected triumph of Based On A T.R.U. Story aside from say "Birthday Song." Posner sings lovely accompanied by chordal piano, even at his most overt (and it is overt). 2 Chainz's raps work well, though he'd probably even assert Posner steals the show.
"Ghetto Dreams" in soulful fashion gives guests John Legend and Scarface respective moments. The old-school sound is a perfect follow-up to the bedroom talk of "In Town." The album end's fitting (or not so fittingly) in `stupid' fashion with "Wut We Doin?," a club-track produced by Mike-Will-Made-It and Marz. It's OK, but "Ghetto Dreams" would've been a fine coda.
Overall,
Based On A T.R.U. Story is a solid introduction for 2 Chainz. The more creative cuts work better than the clubbier ones, which causes some unevenness. That said, there are no huge overt misses. Overall, 2 Chainz is off to a good start. Broaden some rhymes and horizons next go around AND call Mike Posner back for a repeat and he's on his way.