production technology: Lil Wayne Wanted 2 Chainz Down With Young Money

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Lil Wayne Wanted 2 Chainz Down With Young Money

'He's one of the most unselfish, talented people that I've been around,' 2 Chainz tells 'RapFix Live' of Weezy.
By Rob Markman

2 Chainz
Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

Def Jam wasn't the only label courting 2 Chainz. Before he signed to the rap powerhouse, the Atlanta MC was arguably the most sought-after unsigned talent in the game, so it's no surprise that he was in high demand. Still, if Lil Wayne had had his way, 2 Chainz would've linked up with his Young Money record label.

"I was one of the first people invited to Young Money, before the album. Wayne asked me," Chainz said when he appeared on Wednesday's "RapFix Live."

The two spitters have history. Weezy appeared with 2 Chainz (then known as Tity Boi) on "Duffle Bag Boy," the 2007 single with his group Playaz Circle. Two years later, Dos spent significant time on the road with Tunechi during his I Am Still Music Tour. At the time, however, 2 Chainz chose to remain loyal to Playaz Circle and honor his deal with Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace record label. Ultimately, he didn't want to seem like he was hopping from label to label, though he maintains that he and Wayne have a true friendship.

"From the outside looking in, I hate to see people look like they clique hopping," Chainz said. "But when you just look at an artist that went from here to this subsidiary, to this subsidiary — for me I felt like I'm smart enough to sign 2 Chainz slash Def Jam like I did."

Instead of signing to another artist, with Def Jam the "Spend It" MC was able to become his own boss and partner his new label T.R.U. with the deep-rooted record company. As soon as he signed, Chainz sent Wayne a text thanking him for being a true friend. "Lil Wayne is one of the realest dudes in the game as far as opening up doors for people to eat and trickling down to their families," he said. "He's one of the most unselfish, talented people that I've been around."

Did 2 Chainz make the right decision, or should he have signed with Young Money? Tell us your opinion in the comments.

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