2 Chainz Is Working With Q-Tip On An Album To Show The World He’s A Lyricist (Video)

While respected by his peers, 2 Chainz is generally not revered as a lyricist among most Hip-Hop Heads. Enlisting the help of A Tribe Called Quest’s visionary rapper/producer Q-Tip, the Playaz Circle artist hopes to change that perception.

To follow up his fourth studio album as a solo artist, last month’s Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, 2 Chainz has been in the studio with the legendary icon who is helping to “curate” the beats on his next project. Whether or not that means The Abstract will be providing production himself, taking on more of an executive producer’s role or simply mentoring the Georgia rapper in his beat selection is unclear, but 2 Chainz’s goals are not. “I don’t feel like I’m running out of ideas. I don’t feel like I have a glass ceiling. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my pinnacle,” he recently told The Breakfast Club. “I still wanna whoop some ni**as’ [asses] lyrically,” he added. “Until I get the recognition that I feel like I deserve, I’m gon’ keep going hard.”

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In the interview, the MC shared his belief that straightforward Trap production doesn’t lend well to lyrical showmanship and admitted to having dumbed down his bars in the past. “With Trap music, it’s hard to be lyrical because of the beat. It’s not because you can’t rap,” he explained. “With those [sample-driven] kind of beats… you’re able to express yourself more [and] change styles.”

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2 Chainz also pointed to the last song on his latest album, “Burglar Bars,” as a hint of the direction of his future project, which he claimed will be like a “Trappin’ Midnight Marauders.” Charlamagne expressed that he considers it to be the most lyrical offering off the LP.

Both Tity Boi (Chainz’ older moniker) and Q-Tip are closely tied to Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Tip is an artist, while 2 Chainz has been an affiliate. In 2012, one of ‘Ye’s tweets led many to believe the Atlanta MC had signed. Despite that, all of Chainz’ solo works have been released through Def Jam Records.

Although details about the upcoming 2 Chainz and Q-Tip collaboration are ambiguous at best, it is certainly one of the most unexpected and interesting pairings in Hip-Hop, right now.