2 Chainz ‘Rap or Go to the League’ Review (1-Listen Album Review)
Executive produced by LeBron James, Rap or Go to the League is the perfect crossover title for this combo. 2 Chainz, a baller in college, decided to pursue rap under the moniker “Tity Boi”. While Tity Boi saw some success, 2 Chainz really started to hit his peak with the name change.
I’m expecting something similar to 2 Chainz’s last project, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. Solid all around album. Top production, fun bars, some variety, but ultimately it stands out as being a 2 Chainz album. Looking forward to seeing what this LeBron executive production means for Tity Boi.
The rules are simple. 1 listen. Straight from the gut — no rewinds, no skips, no stops. All raw reactions. Forever tattooed on virtual paper.
Let’s get it.
Update: I’ll now be writing my reviews at AdamTrebs.com. Check it out for new reviews and general Music musings.
1. Forgiven feat Marsha Ambrosius
Basketball PA guy to start follow by a church choir. Smooth Chainz flow to enter. This random flute is interesting. I’m really feeling the layering of this beat. Rattlers, flutes, whistles. “Got a phone call from Lil’ Fate // Somebody shot his son, he didn’t make it” gives me chills. Deep song to kick this off.
2. Threat 2 Society
Soulful and smooth, fantastic singing sample loop to create the beat. “I’m so famous can’t even cough in peace”. Never thought of it that way but love the imagery. This beat is phenomenal there’s so many remarkable elements. I could listen to this beat/sample all day, kinda reminds me of a less dirty J Dilla.
3. Money in the Way
Budda bless this beat. The production on here is fantastic. 2 Chainz is showing his technique on these first three beats. He’s switching up his flows, pitch, tone, and rhyme schemes as the beats change.
4. Statute of Limitations
Getting trappy now. Got a bay feel to it. Deep bass. This piano drop. This is meant for 2 Chainz. He’s goin in on this one.
5. High Top Versace feat Young Thug
ATL Jacob now. Thugger flowin over a spacy-trap beat. Great pass from Thug to the 2 Chainz verse. The Thugger chorus is perfect here. Bron bron have a say in this? Thugger brought it on this one, 2 Chainz had a dope verse but I forgot about him by the end.
6. Whip feat Travis Scott
Major Travis autotune chorus. The anthem type chorus. Deep 2 Chainz voice contrasted with high pitched autotune Travis is nice. Banger. Love getting this Travis extended chorus. 2 Chainz’s second verse might be his hardest one so far.
7. NCAA
Song title fits the album title. Man so much confidence on this beat. Don’t think this man has nerves. Ha! “I’m playin with the clit like a guitar” as a guitar plays in the background. He’s addressing the NCAA not paying the star players a dime. Love his argument. “Let me get this straight, if I drop 40 today // You don’t care if I eat, you don’t care if I ate”. Bangs.
8. Momma I Hit a Lick feat Kendrick Lamar
Yes. Kendrick. 2 Chainz coming with a unique flow on this one. Must means Kendrick has something cookin on this one. Woah I haven’t heard 2 Chainz switch up flows like this before. And use the high pitch Future voice style from Kings Dead. The rappers gotta bring it all the match King Kendrick. Kendrick’s here. How does he do it. Oh shit Kendrick coming with a Whisper Song voice. This is fun. So many flow switches on here.
9. Rule the World feat Ariana Grande
Ari! Such a fly singing voice. These two have so much swag in their own unique ways. The Ari female swag is so amazing. We got a 2 Chainz love song on our hands. Who knew these two would be so good together? I want to hear more Ari + rapper features.
10. Girl’s Best Friend feat Ty Dolla $ign
Fun song. Ty always has great features on these rap albums. Hard to match Ari though. 2 Chainz is trying a lot of flows that I haven’t heard from him before. It’s definitely something he needs to do. Hard to be a veteran and be a few flow pony.
11. 2 Dollar Bill feat Lil Wayne & E-40
40 water. Weezy. This def going to be the Tity Boi side. “Spit cold shit need Mucinex”. Yep. “On a seafood diet, I don’t fuck with pork”. Yep. Weezy goin in on this one! He really got revitalized from The Carter V. This song throwing it back 10 years with these metaphors and features. Classic E-40 flow too. Haven’t heard one of those in a while.
12. I Said Me
Favorite Things sample. Further following the Ari trend. Taking a page from 7 Rings. He did remix that song too. Not quite the verses I would expect after this opening sample. I love the sample on this but I may be passing.
13. I’m Not Crazy, Life Is feat Chance The Rapper & Kodak Black
When is Chance going to drop his album? Ugh. I’ll take features in the interim though. Another great beat utilizing piano keys. Feelin this 2 Chainz verse, he’s talking about coming up. “Wore guns in dungarees next to a pack of gum”. Tight, succinct flow. Chance has a phenomenal verse. Really, really enjoyed that. Kodak comin with his classic style. Kodak has developed such a unique style. All three of these guys have. But I would say that Chance and Kodak might be two of the toughest rappers to bite in the game today. This is my top song on the album. Good music.
14. Sam
This low-rider beat is what I want to hear after that last track. I need something soft and smooth. Great sequencing. 2 Chainz is bringing up taxes (Uncle Sam), the hood, and other social issues. Really good way to conclude Rap or Go to the League. Not talking politics in any way. Just sayin, taxes are rough.
2 Chainz — Rap or Go to the League: Final (First Listen) Thoughts
Rap or Go to the League delivered on par with what I expected. While 2 Chainz did switch his flow up more than usual and use different pitch techniques, the album was undoubtedly a 2 Chainz project. The features were on point as well, per usual. All the features brought it on this one. The production on here was phenomenal as well. 9th Wonder worked wonders. I’m not too sure where Bron came into play but I’m sure it was an awesome experience for him to collab on a rap project.
The ultimate message of Rap or Go to the League is that you don’t need to do one or the other. The best way to make it out the hood, to get ahead in life no matter where you are, is to find your path and stay consistent. Your path can be a doctor, a fireman, a salesperson, it’s your choice. But stay consistent and don’t get dragged down by temptations. Respect.
Overall, the album didn’t have the kick (aka the bangers) that I was expecting from 2 Chainz. On the flip side, it did have have a lot of good music songs. Good music songs are songs that aren’t bangers but still sound good (lmao). Because of that, this is easily 2 Chainz’ most mature album. I do think he could have done more to drive his narrative. Unfortunately, although the features were good, they did partly overshadow his story.
Top 3 tracks are I’m Not Crazy, Life Is (feat. Chance The Rapper & Kodak Black), Rule the World (feat. Ariana Grande), and Threat 2 Society
Again, I’ll now be writing my reviews at AdamTrebs.com. Peep it to see new reviews and general Music musings.
Previous 1-Listen Album Reviews:
- Offset — Father of 4 (Feb 2019)
- Future — Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD (Jan 2019)
- James Blake — Assume Form (Jan 2019)
- Boogie — Everythings for Sale (Jan 2019)
