Review: 2 Chainz - T.R.U. Jack City
By Joe Cooke, Contributor
[The Real University; 2015]
Rating: 6/10
Key Tracks: “Somebody to Love,” “Bird Bath,” “Xanny”
Instead of battling Nancy Grace on the legalization of marijuana, it seems as if 2 Chainz is trying to keep his name alive in the studio once again. In addition to attacking the mixtape scene via the release of T.R.U. Jack City, 2 Chainz began his own label this January, The Real University.
It seems clear that, instead of going down in the books as a golden rap masterpiece, the project was released in order to showcase its multiple featured Southern-based MCs. 2 Chainz’ frequent collaborators include Cap 1, Skooly, Travis Porter and Short Dawg. Notable producers on this project are Mike Will and DJ Spinz; the two use their engineering skills to give 2 Chainz’ music a southern style and feel. This is done through bass-filled beats, specializations of 2 Chainz and the rap/hip-hop heads.
2 Chainz last left off with Boats I.I.: Me Time. Even though T.R.U. Jack City hasn’t collected as big of a buzz as 2011’s mixtape T.R.U. Religion or Boats, this 17-track mixtape can still draw you in.
First track “Road Dawg” is somewhat reminiscent and brags about 2 Chainz’ massive wealth, acquired by selling dope, being “untouchable” and claiming to run the game, similar to the way “Makaveli” did. A majority of the following songs refer to topics introduced in this introductory track.
Tracks like “Somebody to Love” and “Xanny,” featuring Cap 1 and Spooky, as well as “Bird Bath” with Cap 1, are some of the most recognizable tunes on this mixtape. Beside the fact the instrumentals are dope enough to force one to nod their head, either with headphones on or in the car, the songs build the foundation of the buzz already possessed by Cap 1 and Spooky in the dirty South’s music scene.
Unfortunately, we may be starting to see the 37-year-old MC starting to pass his peak. T.R.U. Jack City just isn’t one of 2 Chainz’ strongest lyrical releases. The songs lack the distinguishably clever bars that got him on Billboard, such as “Based on a T.R.U. Story.” It’s hardly surprising the veteran is beginning to slow down, considering he’s been in the game since the late ‘90s; he originally started as co-partner to Dolla Boy in Playaz Circle.
Yet no matter how old 2 Chainz gets, he’ll always have street appeal, wit, catchy bars and the thuggish-masculinity he can’t help but show.
T.R.U. Jack City is a decent sound for Tity Boi to prove he’s still relevant, even if it probably won’t be one of the more remembered mixtapes at the end of 2015. Considering The Real University is just beginning to get off of the ground, we can definitely expect its artists to release material that continue to hold 2 Chainz on the rap pedestals he’s known for.
