2 Chainz on Kanye West's Influence and Evolving Verse Rates

Genesis of a Rap Career

• 💡 2 Chainz initially offered verses for free, driven by a desire to demonstrate his business acumen and work ethic.
• 🚀 He aimed to be a reliable artist who delivered promptly, showing he was more than just a rapper but a professional.
• ⚠️ This generosity was sometimes met with attempts by others to take advantage of his kindness.

Collaboration with Kanye West

• 🎯 Kanye West reached out to 2 Chainz, initiating a significant professional relationship.
• 🎤 Their first phone conversation lasted nearly two hours, establishing a strong rapport beyond typical industry introductions.
• 🎶 2 Chainz recorded multiple verses quickly during a studio session in LA, impressing Kanye and his team.
• 🌟 The collaboration led to the hit song "Mercy," which 2 Chainz believes featured his hardest verse, despite the song's evolution during production.

Evolving Verse Rates and Artistic Value

• 💰 Kanye West advised 2 Chainz to increase his rate to $100,000 per verse, a significant jump from his previous free offerings.
• 📈 This adjustment reflected his growing success and established his market value.
• 🤔 2 Chainz believes some of his best verses are on his latest projects, indicating continued artistic growth rather than a peak.

Dream Collaborations and Legacy

• 🎤 2 Chainz expresses a desire to work with artists like Hov (Jay-Z) and Andre 3000, respecting their unique approaches and artistic integrity.
• 🎶 He acknowledges having collaborated with many of his favorites, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Scarface, and Eminem.
• 🏆 He also reflects on winning a Grammy with Chance the Rapper for "No Problems."