Rap or Go to the League

by 2 Chainz

Overview

The title of Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz's fifth studio album, Rap or Go to the League, is a reference to the destructive belief that the only two routes out of a life of crime and poverty are to either become a famous rapper or athlete. The title alone indicates a new level of consciousness and amplified maturity, at least moving well past the larger-than-life party monster persona that made some of his early songs multi-platinum hits. While there are still moments of that strip-club bravado here, these 14 songs are more reflective and thoughtful than anything 2 Chainz has turned in before. Beats built on wistful soul samples make up tracks like the Ariana Grande-assisted "Rule the World" or the autobiographical album opener, "Forgiven," creating a pervasive mood of introspection. Rap or Go to the League moves between this emotional searching and bangers like "Momma I Hit a Lick" and bass-heavy flex-fests like "2 Dollar Bill." 2 Chainz calls out the big guns on these tracks, with verses from Lil Wayne, E-40, and Kendrick Lamar, and elsewhere on the album he trades rhymes with Travis Scott, Kodak Black, Chance the Rapper, Young Thug, and Ty Dolla $ign. The strength of the album is its ability to explore more serious themes without losing the fun and swagger that the rapper made his name on. Now in his early forties, it makes sense that 2 Chainz's art is developing beyond hedonistic abandon to touch on real-life concerns like family, society, and becoming an elder statesman of the rap game. Without making any kind of heavy-handed declaration, Rap or Go to the League is a step forward in 2 Chainz's artistry, and reveals sides of his personality that were previously harder to see in the shadow of his enormous persona. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	03/29/2019
Label:	Def Jam / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602577497391

Tracks

1. Forgiven
2. Threat 2 Society
3. Money in the Way
4. Statute of Limitations
5. High Top Versace
6. Whip
7. NCAA
8. Momma I Hit a Lick
9. Rule the World
10. Girl's Best Friend
11. 2 Dollar Bill
12. I Said Me
13. I'm Not Crazy, Life Is
14. Sam

Album Credits

Performance Credits

2 Chainz   Primary Artist
DJ E. Sudd   Vocals (Background)
Ty Dolla $ign   Featured Artist
Kendrick Lamar   Featured Artist
Jahmon Pauling   Vocals (Background)
Travis Scott   Featured Artist
Chance the Rapper   Featured Artist
Denise Carite   Vocals (Background)
Blair Taylor   Keyboards
Kodak Black   Vocals,Featured Artist
Jonathan Joyner   Vocals (Background)
Roland Gajate   Percussion
Chophouze Jay   Vocals (Background)
Phil Cornish   Keyboards
E-40   Featured Artist
Lil Wayne   Featured Artist
Marsha Ambrosius   Featured Artist
Tiffany Palmer   Vocals (Background)
Tyler Cates   Guitar
Jason Berry   Vocals (Background)
Young Thug   Featured Artist
Smileyface   Vocals (Background)
Ariana Grande   Featured Artist
Francis and the Lights   Vocals
Anthony Evans   Vocals (Background)
Isaac Wriston   Bass
Sunni Patterson   Vocals
Chelsea West   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Maxie Smith   Composer
DJ Mustard   Producer
Billy Hickey   Engineer
Dijon McFarlane   Composer
Patrick Douthit   Composer
Zach Steele   Engineer
Carlton Mays Jr.   Composer
Jonathan H. Smith   Composer
Carl McCormick   Composer
Dwayne "Dem Jointz" Abernathy Jr.   Composer
Cardo   Producer
Kendrick Duckworth   Composer
Rob Holladay   Additional Production
Melvin Moore III   Composer
Tauheed Epps   Composer
Paul Cabbin   Producer
Hugh Perry   Composer
Sammie Norris   Composer
Trocon Roberts   Composer
Jacques Webster   Composer
Ebony Oshunrinde   Composer
Chancelor Bennett   Composer
Matt Schaeffer   Engineer
Ben Sedano   Assistant
Cardiak   Producer
Ronald LaTour   Composer
30 Roc   Producer
Adarius Moragne   Composer
Datboisqueeze   Producer
Jacob Candy   Composer
Christian Ward   Composer
Sean Solymar   Assistant
Nolan Presley   Engineer
ATL Jacob   Producer
Jacob Canady   Composer
WondaGurl   Producer
Johnny Kosich   Assistant
Lerron Carson   Composer
Serban Ghenea   Mixing
Bernard Freeman   Composer
Lonnie Liston Smith   Composer
Leonard Williams   Composer
Buddah Bless   Producer
Pharrell Williams   Composer,Producer
N.O. Joe   Producer
Melvin Williams   Composer
Kanye West   Composer
9th Wonder   Producer
Mike Dean   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Additional Production
Hitmaka   Producer
Marsha Ambrosius   Composer
Richard Harrison   Composer
Todd Shaw   Composer
Bruce Hawes   Composer
Dwayne Carter   Composer
Robert Watson   Composer
Chad Butler   Composer
Christopher Brown   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Joseph B. Jefferson   Composer
Glenn Schick   Mastering
Dem Jointz   Producer,Mixing
Joseph Johnson   Composer
Mike Larson   Engineer
Terrace Martin   Composer,Additional Production
Migui Maloles   Engineer
James Phillips   Composer
Thomas Warren   Assistant
Douglas Williams   Composer
Maxwell Smith   Composer
Brock Korsan   Composer
Samuel Gloade   Composer
Bill K. Kapri   Composer
Jeffery Williams   Composer
Dylan Cleary-Krell   Composer
Tyron Douglas   Composer
Racquelle Rahky Anteola   Composer
FKi   Producer
Dez Wright   Producer
Finis "KY" White   Mixing,Engineer
Earl Stevens   Composer
Tyrone Griffin   Composer
John Hanes   Assistant
Shawn Carter   Composer
Phalon Alexander   Composer