on yellow vinyl - On his fifth studio album, 2 Chainz steps into the rap arena as Tauheed Epps — the trap adjacent mastermind behind two stage personas and the mortal man listeners have been keen to meet since the inception of Playaz Circle. The title Rap or Go to the League is a reference to the career choices often bandied about as the only viable options for young men seeking to escape opportunity deserts and the accompanying circumstances of generational poverty.
Buoyed by production from Pharrell Williams, Terrace Martin, Mustard, WondaGurl, Mike Dean, and Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E, Rap or Go to the League finds 2 Chainz prioritizing an autobiographical narrative over heavy-handed flossing, overconsumption of controlled substances, and snub-nosed flex. He is given to refreshing honesty — from the open embrace of his marriage on “Rule the World” to dodging temptation on the bounce and hyphy hybrid “2 Dollar Bill” — in a clearing of the conscience that thankfully avoids a sizable inventory of regrets. Listeners are treated to the less than savory details of his personal experience dabbling in the streets on the 9th Wonder-produced “Threat 2 Society” (“I done some things I ain’t proud of/ Like sold my mom drugs”) and subsequent tracks “Statute of Limitations” and “I Said Me” (“When my daughter asked me what a drug dealer was, I said, ‘me’”). “NCAA” deftly parallels the trap and collegiate sports, both of which require “the young and dangerous” to pay a hefty price to participate. “Rule the World” and “Girl’s Best Friend” are love songs that recall 2 Chainz’s knack for spitting syrupy game. The foil to 2 Chainz’s candor is the characteristic turn-up that keeps him knee-deep in a healthy dose of drip, as demonstrated by the Young Thug feature “High-Top Versace”.
By Rap or Go to the League, 2 Chainz is a veteran rapper of a certain age who posits himself to be at the top of his game. Unlike the outsized projections rap stars routinely make to seem more powerful, 2 Chainz assessment of himself is actually correct. That kind of career longevity is rare in the league.
| A1 | Forgiven | 5:23 |
| A2 | Threat 2 Society | 3:46 |
| A3 | Money In The Way | 2:42 |
| A4 | Statute Of Limitations | 2:29 |
| B1 | High Top Versace | 2:57 |
| B2 | Whip | 3:47 |
| B4 | NCAA | 4:08 |
| C1 | Momma I Hit A Lick | 2:54 |
| C2 | Rule The World | 4:06 |
| C3 | Girl's Best Friend | 3:13 |
| C4 | 2 Dollar Bill | 4:00 |
| D1 | I Said Me | 5:32 |
| D2 | I'm Not Crazy Life Is | 5:30 |
| D3 | Sam | 4:11 |
