2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S. II: #MeTime

    Through the release of what was arguably one of 2011’s better mixtapes, a slew of memorable guest appearances, and a debut album powered by the hit singles “I’m Different,” “No Lie” and “Birthday Song,” 2 Chainz seemingly willed himself into an A-list, mainstream artist. A large part of the appeal was his humor—which allowed him to stand out in an oversaturated marketplace. Sure, there are dozens of mainstream rappers talking about trapping, fornicating, flossing and recreational drug use. But the man formerly known as Tity Boi re-emerged as a genuinely hilarious character in the mold of Mannie Fresh during his Big Tymers days.

    Based On A T.R.U. Story II: #MeTime represents 2 Chainz attempt to double down on the success provided by the second chapter of his career. But this time around, there are too many times when the attempts at humor fall flat. The album opener, “Fork,” begins with a random exchange between a fictional 2 Chainz (living with his mother) arguing over money left in his jeans. This more or less sets the tone for the sinking conceptual ship that is B.O.A.T.S. II, and things are compounded by a nonsensical hook that features 2 Chainz making screeching sounds followed by a chant of, “Hit it with the fork.” Fans of T.R.U. REALigion and Based On A T.R.U. Story can attest to the fact that both previous projects featured their share of repetition. Tracks such as “No Lie” and “Spend It” were catchy, at least in part, because the hooks were funny and simple without being pedestrian.

    Without the laughs or any lyrical pyrotechnics, the listener is left with a bevy of big-name producers whose anthemic output doesn’t always mesh well with 2 Chainz this time around. “Used 2” represents the second tribute to Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” in as many years. And while it adds nothing new to the original, unlike Drake’s “Practice,” 2 Chainz does enlist the original Cash Money architect by featuring Mannie Fresh behind the boards. And 2 Chainz pulls off a few successful gambles with his choice of featured guests—be it Fergie of Black Eyed Peas fame (“Netflix”), Ma$e (“Beautiful Pain”) or Chrisette Michele and Sunni Patterson (“Black Unicorn”). But there are few moments when the overly-polished instrumentals are in sync with 2 Chainz’s lyrics. Take “Extra” for example, where Wonder Arillo provides the expected 808 sub-woofer style bass, articulated snare rolls and strings that reach a crescendo. In the rhyme department, 2 Chainz counters with the following:

    “Southside I gotta own / The snakeskin on my hat albino / I’m rich like Lionel / I get head like rhino / I’m riding on my rivals / Survival / Bible / Rifle, bullets, and for y’all niggas / I got extra…”

    That said, there are moments when 2 Chainz is in rare form with the one-liners: his dope does cannonball dives in the pot (“U Da Realest”), people who look at his pockets are weight watchers (“Outroduction”) and he’ll take your bitch like the dogcatcher (“Mainstream Ratchet”). Additionally, tracks such as “U Da Realest,” and “So We Can Live” lack conceptual focus but offer a refreshing sense of candor hard to find throughout the rest of B.O.A.T.S. II. But the moments when everything comes together, such as the Pharrell-produced “Feds Watching” are too seldom for a coherent, enjoyable album.

    By now, most fans should know that 2 Chainz isn’t interested in providing the type of lyricism offered by emcees like Big Boi or Jay Electronica. And those listening to 2 Chainz probably don’t want that from him anyway. Either way, this time around, his formula—catchy hooks, spit-take worthy one-liners and danceable, Top-40 production—suffers from either overexposure or a lack of innovation. As the summer winds down, loyal 2 Chainz supporters and casual fans may enjoy B.O.A.T.S. II: #MeTime as functional, turn up music. But listeners that don’t fall into either of those categories would do well picking up more uniform offerings from similar artists.

    167 thoughts on “2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S. II: #MeTime

    1. if u buy a 2chainz album u know what to expect nd even tho i like lyrics sometimes its good to hear “garbage” rhymes for fun … in my opinion chainz did well cause he stayed in what people want to hear from him

      1. follow me.. and word.. your comment sums up my thoughts exactly.. im more into lyrics but, I like albums like this to bump when im riding around in the whip sometimes.. that feds watchin joint is dope…

    2. Proof that HHDX is falling behind the curve and trying to cling to an older definition of our ever-changing genre of hip-hop. This is an above average album, an improvement on the original. I’d add an extra X

      1. maybe you should start your own website and post your review then bitch nigga

        oh yeah no one would read it cause you got shit taste

    3. “I’m already pissed”, said Chainz when asked by Angie if he’s anticipating bad sales. Although the rapper did not reveal exactly how many were shipped, he tells that him and Def Jam got mixed up when it came to the amount that would be made available to the public.

      He’s already making up excuses for when this shit flops! The labels aint stupid they know how much to ship out. Anyone who wants this trash will be able to find it.

      1. I feel bad for 2 chainz. He’s a dope rapper but Def Jam was paid by Kayne West to not promote 2 Chainz and to promote big sean and himself instead. Turns out both are flopping but 2 Chainz is also struggling just because he found no support. He should sign with YMCMB or MMG.

    4. Shit is bad, One listen and i cant stomach it anymore.
      BTW he said that this album is all about him but it has more features then DJ Khaleds

    5. This is the worst album review in the history of album reviews and every one of yall just believe this nigga like nothing… this album is exactly what 2 Chainz wanted it to be.. Like seriously? You talking shit because he has a hashtag on there? Yall just mad at anyone that does what they want to do and can make money off of it, don’t matter who the nigga is yall still gonna talk shit

    6. Checked out the album on youtube….unsurprisingly, it sucked. Dude was trying way too hard to create punchlines. An album that wasn’t much…

    7. Its what I expected,why complain he kept his fans satisfied its basic, simple, and catchy. Just like Juicy did, I know his fans was satisfied too. I cant say that for alot these other A-list artist that albums were anticipated, dropped and weren’t worth a download. I can ride with this playing in my car with the volume up loud.. Couldn’t do it with yeezus and the shit still got a high review. These ratings are boo boo. Hot Garbage is sometimes better than other Hot Garbage.

      1. What truth? It’s just a 2 Chainz fan defending their hero. This album is terrible, no matter what you say; it sounds like shit.

      2. Yeah its buffoonery at its finest, its sheer entertainment as I see it, bcuz im only trying to gear something that sets my day off on some good feeling type shit.. The same thing goes for kicking it and getting off work. If it can do that im satisfied. That’s what I meant by saying hot garbage is better than other hot garbage. I’m not no fanboy or no cock rider. Like some of these emotional folks on here getting touched because they take this entertainment shit to the head and think they could duplicate the shit. Its funny bcuz tity boi is actually educated… But u fanboys would never know bcuz y’all take this nonsense to the head. And yeezus was boo boo homie

    8. another one album wonder rapper wit no longevity cause he has no lyrics that party/strip club music don’t work for long

    9. I think it has to be acknowledged w/ cats like 2chainz and french montana that their style is a practiced, purposeful rachetry-almost on the edge of trollin. ODB and Flava flav serve as examples. I don’t think most ppl get that.

      1. The irony in this guy calling people retards and then spelling literally ‘litrally’

        (And the dumb fuck won’t even understand the irony thats just been pointed out)

      2. Litrally is an acceptable phonetic spelling of literally, as spoken by Rob Lowe’s character from Parks & Rec. Try again, troll.

      1. what i cannot stand is when people use words that doesn’t even describe the meaning. go to school and learn something. use your vocabulary words properly please! thank you, have a good day.

    10. Not as bad as everybody making it out to me I’ve definitely heard worse this year that you guys jumped right on the band wagon.

    11. my roomate’s sister-in-law makes $60 every hour on the laptop. She has been laid off for 6 months but last month her pay was $15613 just working on the laptop for a few hours. why not find out more… http://www.Cafe44.com

      Its, rather, about the content of his lyrics. But of course this could be an invitation for arguments. So let’s just say its a personal opinion.

    12. Just what I expected…ANOTHER CLASSIC!!! This has been a great few weeks for rap…First Juicy J ‘Stay Trippy’ and now BOATS 2…Me Time…Real hip hop…fuck you haters!!!

    13. follow me… im more into lyrics but, I like albums like this to bump when im riding around in the whip sometimes.. that feds watchin joint is dope…

    14. 2 Chainz is entertaining. and he brought alot new to the table with Feds watchin. that song alone is hotta than any single i herd out today

      1. i love feds watching, it was getting it’s starting major air play in july/august when i was traveling to cali. what an awesome song to listen too on a long ass car trip!!!!!

    15. 55k first week… nicca doing french montana numbers!!!

      how he selling less than j cole or wale or tyler the creator or mac miller?????

      1. 2Chainz forgot to include the DRIZZY formula in his LP:

        [any musical product] + Drake = [original sales] * 3

        “I bet them shit would have popped if I was willin’ to help”

        /Drake – 5AM in Toronto/

    16. OMG the best album this year! His lyrical prowess mixed with the incredible sounds of 88-Keys leaves you mesmerized! Coppin 4 albums!

    17. Yes, this album is not true hip hop and 2 Chainz is not an MC, just a below average rapper. But this album is more entertaining than other garbage rappers’ records (Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Tyga, etc.). Those wack rappers sound boring, but 2 Chainz can entertain you… this is just music for lazy days to don’t think… 3.5/5

    18. I don’t know why everyone expected to hear some life changing deep thought lyrics or something its fucking 2chainz if you want to hear some deep introspective shit listen to the common. you listen to the shit to dance the same people talking down on this the same folk the be up in the club nodding to feds watching how terrible would the world be if we go out to party and have nothing to dance to but the roots diversity is whats needed

      1. I agree your not gonna get deep rap from teddy 2 necklace but you do get anthems feds watcing,I do it,extra,used to and my personal favorite where u been which has a dope beat great verses from 2 chainz and cap 1 and the catchiest hook of the year i been getting money where the fuck u been bought a new house just to fuck u in. I give the album 3 stars out of 5. I will admit his first one was better.

    19. this is one of da best album of 2013 behind da YMCMB and MMG releases. diz is whut I call true hip hop. and as a close friend and partner of 2 Chainz I can confirm already 500,000 niggas pre-ordered da album. itz gonna be Gold on da first week. RIAA already sent email bout it. swag

      1. well i think they need to bring hip-hop back!! the so called rap today could use some pointers!!!!!!!! i love all old skool hip-hop and yes i do like today’s! this is my only album from 2chainz i like it. i would like to buy his first as well, there is many albums that i want to buy. i like all music, my #1 is dance music. electronica, tencho, drum-n-bass, do any of you know that genre? his one-liner lyrics, i like them. i feel like i could relate if i were an artist!!!

    20. That Sunni Patterson chick! Wow! Talk about getting murdered on your own shit…by a female MC! She’s got a wicked verse on “Black Unicorn” that 2 Chainz can’t even touch. I wanna hear more from this woman.
      My 4-star rating is for that verse alone!!!

    21. Gucci Mane = realest rapper ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      – T.I. snitch to the feds
      – Young Jeezy was never bmf
      – 50 Cent snitch and was never in jail but a youthcamp
      – Game was never a banger but lived the life of his brother in his lyrics
      – Nas Escobar never sold drugs
      – Ice Cube never was a gangbanger
      – Dr Dre never was a gangbanger
      – 2pac was a ballerina and never sold drugs after he become famous he was doing some stupid stuff like beating and shooting at people because he though he could get away with it. Without Suge Knight 2pac was just a skinny motherfucker. Oh and i like his music so fuck you.
      – Mobb deep are the biggiest pussies in rap they are short as midgets and keep talking this g shit but never did g shit.

      1. eminem is real he rapped about wanting to kill his wife hating his mom growing up in a trailer park his own drug use and his love for his daughter he is universal he can make a song with just about anyone and can outrap just about anyone other rappers on my real list are…… scarface andre 3000 warren g dj quik too short e-40 rappin 4tay b.o.b nelly hurricane chris and soulja boy the last 3 made feel good music and party anthems the last 2 were not that good at rapping but what they rapped about getting women partying and having a good time were real topics

    22. This editor is an idiot. Stop listening to rap music, because you are obviously waiting on the next Jay-Z, and can’t appreciate the good music of today…I’m a big fan of real lyricism (Pap, Nas, Jay Electron, Lupe, etc.), however this is the realest CD to drop in a long time…Quit hating on 2 Chainz, and listen to the album front to back again, letting it soak in (it’s not as hazardous as you think)….This is the first southern rap album I could listen to without skipping a track…get these biased editors out of here and get people who can be neutral thru an entire review…4/5 stars…..2 Chainz………

      1. Um. You just claimed to be all about lyricism. Yet you just said this was one of the realest albums to drop lately. And you say the editors an idiot?

    23. i banged this album this wknd didnt like 4 the 1st 2 listens bumped it in the ride started 2 like it been bangin it grom front 2 back i like good riddin music fav.track u da realest..gonna cop it fri 2 put in the archives…

    24. Dis album iz a Clazzic magne!!!! Chainz spit wit da fuego flow. I’m finna buy 5 copies bishes. Y’all hata playas need wize up bishes!

      1. what’s wrong with you, damn. i didn’t understood a shit. speak english not in that swag yolo dope shitty language.
        P.S. album was fine. flow is terrible as always for these ymcmb “rappers” but the beat was fine for all songs and it was nice to hear this album. peace!

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