2 Chainz B. O.A.T.S. II: #METIME Album Review

2 Chainz - B.O.A.T.S. II: #METIME

Release Date: September 10, 2013

Label: Def Jam

by Shadi Khoury

Some fans expected a continuation of 2 Chainz first label LP, Based on a True Story. Some expected a totally new project. A compromise has been reached, because #METIME is both. The B.O.A.T.S. theme is still the base of this album, but the whole project is a concept album while #METIME acts as the major arc.

  
This record is definitely a reflection of how we spend our personal time. What we do with our time deals greatly with personal introspection and self awareness. On this record 2 Chainz is creating an atmosphere with his #METIME concept. He elevates #METIME in an artful way with new metaphors and great flowing.

  
The first track on the album is “Fork”. This record introduces the listener to the concept of this record. Part of the #METIME concept is an introspective analysis that can strike parallels with the listener. Chainz is successful now, but “Fork” examines where Deuce would be if he failed at rap. If rap did not work, 2 Chainz would hit it with the fork. The listener parallel is the same. How do you respond to failure? Fear drives us to work harder because hustle brings progress.

  
“Fork” is followed by “36”, a quick interlude tutorial for a beginning hustler. Deuce references weight conversions, “36, thats how many ounces in a brick.” And in usual Deuce fashion, he warns people not in his position to watch out for their women around him. “Young whippersnapper, I might eat that snapper.” This is just a fun interlude with some good raps that leads to the next track.

  
“Feds Watching” is a perfect release for what has been going on in America in 2013. This track is not entirely a scathing response to the proliferation of the NSA. Only the chorus focuses on that topic. “I’m be fresh as hell if the feds watching.” This is a Pharrell produced hit from the same shelf as “Blurred Lines” and “Get Lucky”. Ultimately this song is a radio smash that includes 2 Chainz now deadly flow and a Vogue level knowledge of designer brands.

  
The first three tracks of this album craft a relatively calm introduction compared to the body of this album. The rest of this record has so many things for the rap nerd critics: “Where You Been” is a certified club banger with clever couplets and slippery flow throughout.

A rap conversation between Wayne, Drake, and Chainz that is called “I Do It” Deuce does the first two verses then Drake starts, then it goes to Wayne, then back to Drake then back to Wayne, then Deuce closes out the song. This track is a rare instance of multiple artists with multiple verses on the same track. Deuce (3 verses), Drake (2 verses), and Wayne (2 verses). That alone should get any rap nerd interested.

“Used 2” will be another single off this album. This track is the 2013 “Back That Azz Up” and it sounds like Chainz and Mannie Fresh planned that. “Netflix” could be another hit/single off this record. Fergie sounds great on this track and Deuce goes off on these verses. He features his new time switching flow on this song in a sharp way on the second verse. He flips the verse speed from fast to faster to a banging effect. 

“U Da Realest” continues stellar production and further enforces the concept of Deuce’s me time. Here 2 Chainz obviously is remembering people from the past who are gone. This track has universal relatability, everyone wants someone back.

The most important song title on this record is “Mainstream Ratchet” because that's where 2 Chainz is. He obviously has enough forward thinking to feel his influence on rap music. The trap and bad copies of 2 Chainz flow have crept into rap music. Deuce is a deceptively good lyricist. It takes a serious listener to hear his easter eggs. “Shorty on my dica, backwards spell acid” A short bar but huge creativity.

Want some more lyricism? The first verse on “Black Unicorn” involves Nas and faucets. How? Well, “Sleep is the cousin of death that is some Nas shit, When its cold outside so your pipes won’t bust turn on your faucet” Reading that lyric on paper doesn’t do the record justice. But that verse is so good all critics should laud it.

“Outroduction” is the last track on the non-deluxe package. It is a great close to the LP. This track is like a year in review, encompassing the changes 2 Chainz has been through since his first LP. He touches on his father and his family who now see him less because of his success. And he notes “I been locked up more times rapping than tryin to get a brick” referencing his silly run ins with the law since he became famous.

The deluxe version of #METIME has 3 additional tracks. “Employee of the Month” a great strip club record that jams at home and in the car too. “Live and Learn” is a good track that seems like it could have been at the end of the regular LP, but “Outroduction” was a better closer.

One of the best flows of the year is on the last track of the deluxe LP. “Livin” first verse is a butter flow that has so many word flips it reminds me of “Party and Bullshit." Overall this is a hit play and listen record, and one of the best rap records of 2013. In the new golden era of rap 2 Chainz is part of the shine.