:Based on a T.R.U. Story

In 2007, 2 Chainz began releasing solo material, while he still was in the group Playaz Circle with Dolla Boy. During the year, he released a mixtape titled Me Against the World!, while he still was under his former stage name Tity Boi. In 2011, he changed his moniker to 2 Chainz, as he perceived it to be more "family friendly", before his career began to take off.{{cite web|last=Harling|first=Danielle|title=2 Chainz Explains His Decision To Drop Tity Boi As A Stage Name, Says 2 Chainz Is More "Family Friendly"|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18172/title.2-chainz-explains-his-decision-to-drop-tity-boi-as-a-stage-name-says-2-chainz-is-more-family-friendly|work=HipHopDX|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=August 1, 2012|date=January 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506081622/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18172/title.2-chainz-explains-his-decision-to-drop-tity-boi-as-a-stage-name-says-2-chainz-is-more-family-friendly|archive-date=May 6, 2015|url-status=dead}} Following his name change, 2 Chainz released a mixtape titled T.R.U. REALigion (2011), which became his first solo full-length project to appear on a music chart, peaking at number 58 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.{{cite web|title=2 Chainz > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/2-chainz-p2450987/charts-awards|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=August 1, 2012}} He has also made guest appearances on songs by recording artists since the name change, including the singles "Mercy" by Kanye West and "Beez in the Trap" by Nicki Minaj.{{cite web|title=2 Chainz Opens Up About Why He Was Named 'Tity Boi', T.R.U. Realigion Mixtape, and his Use of Codeine|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/2-chainz-opens-about-why-he-was-named-tity-boi-tru-realigon-mixtape-and-his-use-codeine|work=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|access-date=August 1, 2012|date=October 27, 2011}}

The album was originally set to be titled T.R.U. 2 My REALigion, as he revealed to AllHipHop at his sold-out show in New York City's live music venue SOB's, on January 30, 2012.{{cite web|first1=JP|last1=DelaCuesta|first2=Steve|last2=Raze|title=Exclusive: 2 Chainz Talks New Album, His First Sold Out Show In New York And More!|url=http://allhiphop.com/2012/01/31/exclusive-2-chainz-talks-new-album-his-first-sold-out-show-in-new-york-and-more/|publisher=AllHipHop|date=January 31, 2012|access-date=August 1, 2012}} On March 15, 2012, it was revealed, while in Austin, Texas for SXSW, 2 Chainz announced his Def Jam debut, which would no longer be titled T.R.U. 2 My REALigion. Instead, during an interview with FUSE, the former member of Playaz Circle announced a new title for his LP: "I recently changed the album and the new title of my album is Based on a T.R.U. Story."{{cite magazine|first=Andres|last=Vasquez|title=2 Chainz Reveals Album Title, Speaks On Leaving Ludacris' Label|url=http://allhiphop.com/2012/01/31/exclusive-2-chainz-talks-new-album-his-first-sold-out-show-in-new-york-and-more/|magazine=HipHopDX|date=March 15, 2012|access-date=August 1, 2012}}

On March 24, 2 Chainz announced, via his Twitter feed, the album would be released on August 14, 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/2-chainz-announces-album-release-date-news.1653.html| title=2 Chainz Announces Album Release Date| date=March 24, 2012| publisher=HotNewHipHop| access-date=August 1, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427091058/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/2-chainz-announces-album-release-date-news.1653.html| archive-date=April 27, 2012| url-status=dead}} On July 17, 2012, the album's deluxe edition cover art was unveiled.{{cite magazine| url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19253/title.2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story-deluxe-edition-cover-art| title=2 Chainz "Based On A T.R.U. Story" Deluxe Edition Cover Art| date=July 17, 2012| last=Horowitz| first=Steven J.| magazine=HipHopDX| access-date=August 1, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719220742/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19253/title.2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story-deluxe-edition-cover-art| archive-date=July 19, 2012| url-status=dead}} Designed by Kanye West's creative agency DONDA, the album cover was ranked the second best of 2012 by Complex Magazine.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/482074/2-chainz-enlists-kanye-wests-donda-for-album-art "2 Chainz Enlists Kanye West's DONDA For Album Art"], Billboard Magazine, July 5, 2012{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/2012-year-in-review-the-25-best-album-covers-of-2012/based-on-a-tru-story |title=2. 2 Chainz, Based on a T.R.U. Story — The 25 Best Album Covers of 2012 |magazine=Complex |date=2012-12-13 |access-date=2013-03-31}} On July 24, 2 Chainz announced he would embark on a tour following the album's release, which would begin August 30 in Norfolk, Virginia at The Norva and concludes on September 27 in Austin, Texas at La Zona Rosa.{{cite magazine|first1=Steven J.|last1=Horowitz|title=2 Chainz Announces "Based On A T.R.U. Story" Tour Dates|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20539/title.2-chainz-announces-based-on-a-tru-story-tour-dates/|magazine=HipHopDX|date=July 24, 2012|access-date=August 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726235222/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20539/title.2-chainz-announces-based-on-a-tru-story-tour-dates|archive-date=July 26, 2012|url-status=dead}} On February 12, 2013, the album's chopnotslop version by OG Ron C was released on iTunes.[https://music.apple.com/us/album/based-on-t-r-u-story-chopped/598665131 iTunes] |title=2Chainz ChopNotSlop

The album's lead single, "No Lie" premiered on May 1, 2012, and was released to iTunes on May 8, 2012.{{cite web|title=No Lie SOD (feat. Drake) – Single by 2 Chainz|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-lie-feat.-drake-single/id524552884|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511080007/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-lie-feat.-drake-single/id524552884|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2012|work=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple|access-date=May 20, 2012}} The song features guest vocals from Canadian recording artist Drake, while it was produced by Mike WiLL Made It.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/06/18/video-2-chainz-f-drake-no-lie/ |title=Video: 2 Chainz f/ Drake – 'No Lie' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2013-09-15}} It was sent to urban radio on May 15, 2012. The music video (directed by Director X) was released June 21, 2012.

The album's second single, "Birthday Song" featuring Kanye West, was released on July 24, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/08/30/video-2-chainz-f-kanye-west-birthday-song/ |title=Video: 2 Chainz f/ Kanye West – 'Birthday Song' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2012-08-30 |access-date=2013-09-15}} It officially impacted urban radio on August 7, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/2012/07/10/ub-exclusive-2-chainz-enlists-kanye-west-nicki-minaj-for-upcoming-singles/ |title=2 Chainz Enlists Kanye West & Nicki Minaj for Upcoming Singles | UrbanBridgez.com | Urban Entertainment E-Zine |publisher=UrbanBridgez.com |date=2012-07-10 |access-date=2012-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006024054/http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/2012/07/10/ub-exclusive-2-chainz-enlists-kanye-west-nicki-minaj-for-upcoming-singles/ |archive-date=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead }}

The album's third single, "I'm Different" was released on November 8, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.newjams.net/video/2-chainz-talks-on-quot-birthday-song-quot-quot-i-luv-dem-strippers-quot-remixing-songs |title=2 Chainz Talks On "Birthday Song," "I Luv Dem Strippers," Remixing Songs |publisher=NewJams.net |date=2012-08-10 |access-date=2012-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316070538/http://www.newjams.net/video/2-chainz-talks-on-quot-birthday-song-quot-quot-i-luv-dem-strippers-quot-remixing-songs |archive-date=2013-03-16 |url-status=dead }} The music video for "I'm Different" premiered December 23, 2012 on MTV Jams.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/2-chainz/867899/im-different-explicit.jhtml#id=1568964 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224140209/http://www.mtv.com/videos/2-chainz/867899/im-different-explicit.jhtml#id=1568964 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2012 |title=I'm Different (Explicit)|publisher=MTV |date=2012-12-23 |access-date=2013-09-15}}

On August 12, 2012, the music video for "I Luv Dem Strippers" featuring Nicki Minaj, was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/2-chainz/i-luv-dem-strippers-explicit/USUV71201275 |title=2 Chainz - I Luv Dem Strippers (Explicit) ft. Nicki Minaj - YouTube |publisher=Vevo.com |date=2012-08-12 |access-date=2013-03-31}} On March 17, 2013, the music video for "Crack" was released.{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2013/03/17/new-video-2-chainz-crack/ |title=New Video: 2 Chainz "Crack" |publisher=Rap Radar |date=2013-03-17 |access-date=2013-03-31}} On April 15, 2013, the music video for "Yuck!" featuring Lil Wayne, was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/15/video-2-chainz-f-lil-wayne-yuck/ |title=Video: 2 Chainz f/ Lil Wayne – 'Yuck' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-04-15 |access-date=2013-09-15}} On April 24, 2013, the music video for "Like Me" was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/24/video-2-chainz-like-me/ |title=Video: 2 Chainz – 'Like Me' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=2013-04-24 |access-date=2013-09-15}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}Jeffries, David. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=based-on-a-tru-story-mw0002403649|pure_url=yes}} Review: Based on a T.R.U. Story]. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2012-08-31.

| rev2 = HipHopDX

| rev2score = {{Rating|3|5}}[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1941/title.2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story Review: Based on a T.R.U. Story] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104081342/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1941/title.2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story |date=2012-11-04 }}. HipHopDX. Retrieved on 2012-11-08.

| rev3 = Los Angeles Times

| rev3score = {{Rating|1|4}}Roberts, Randall. [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2012-aug-14-la-et-ms-album-review-2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story-20120814-story.html Review: "Based on a T.R.U. Story"]. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2012-11-23.

| rev4 = Pitchfork

| rev4score = 4.5/10Drake, David. [http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17092-based-on-a-tru-story/ Review: Based on a T.R.U. Story]. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2012-08-31.

| rev5 = RapReviews

| rev5score = 2.5/10[http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_08F_TRUstory.html Review: Based on a T.R.U. Story]. RapReviews. Retrieved on 2012-11-08.

| rev6 = Rolling Stone

| rev6score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}Rosen, Judy. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/based-on-a-t-r-u-story-20120814 Review: Based on a T.R.U. Story]. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2012-08-31.

}}

Based on a T.R.U. Story received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 55, based on 19 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/based-on-a-tru-story/2-chainz/critic-reviews |title=Critic Reviews for Based on a T.R.U. Story |website=Metacritic |access-date=2012-11-20}} David Jeffries of AllMusic praised the high-powered production on the lead track "Yuck" and felt that overall 2 Chainz "almost delivers on his official debut." Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone felt 2 Chainz has "irrepressible enthusiasm" and also praised the guest artists and producers.

Phillip Mlynar of HipHopDX affirmed 2 Chainz' enthusiasm but disliked his lyrics, stating "throughout the album, Chainz kicks a series of amazingly flimsy rhymes" and concluded "2 Chainz has revealed himself as the weakest guest on his own album." In a very negative review, Jesal Padania of RapReviews.com panned 2 Chainz' lyrics with the lowest possible score 1 out of 10 points, commenting "Can 2 Chainz rap? Yes, of course. But is he saying anything? No, not even once... Albums like Based On a T.R.U. Story really make you wonder just how they even come about to existence." Los Angeles Times reviewer Randall Roberts also disliked Chainz' lyrics, and while he praised the guest verses on the album, he felt that "2 Chainz drags them down." In a lengthy review, Pitchfork{{'}}s David Drake felt the album offers "nothing beyond the one-dimensional caricature [2 Chainz]'s crafted on countless other verses" and called it "a cynical example of the bare minimum of creativity required for that level of success."

The track Dope Peddler samples Tom Lehrer's song "The Old Dope Peddler". In 2013, Lehrer said he was "very proud" to have his song sampled "literally sixty years after I recorded it". Lehrer went on to describe his official response to the request to use his song: "As sole copyright owner of 'The Old Dope Peddler', I grant you motherfuckers permission to do this. Please give my regards to Mr. Chainz, or may I call him 2?"{{cite magazine | last=Prospero | date=October 17, 2017 | title=Who can fill the role of Tom Lehrer today? | magazine=The Economist | url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2017/10/wit | access-date=January 1, 2018 | archive-date=December 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201194530/https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2017/10/wit | url-status=live }}

Despite being met with mixed reviews from critics, Based on a T.R.U. Story was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Grammy Awards. The album was named the 25th best Hip Hop album of 2012 by Spin.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/12/spin-40-best-hip-hop-albums-of-2012/121204-25-2chainz/ |title=Spin's 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012 |publisher=Spin |date=2012-12-11 |access-date=2013-03-31}}

Based on a T.R.U. Story debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 147,000 copies in its first week.{{cite web|last=Vazquez|first=Edwin|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 8/19/2012|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20875/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-19-2012|publisher=Cheri Media Group|access-date=22 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510053639/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20875/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-19-2012|archive-date=10 May 2015|url-status=dead}} As of August 2013, the album sold 623,000 copies in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809062844/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi|title=Upcoming Releases |publisher=HITS Daily Double |access-date=2013-09-15|archive-date=August 9, 2013}} On March 30, 2016, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over a million units in the United States.{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Steven|title=2 Chainz's "Based On A T.R.U. Story" Certified Gold|url=https://www.reservoir-media.com/news/post/MTcwMzItYzQ2YjA4/2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story-riaa-certified-platinum|access-date=17 December 2012|newspaper=HipHopDX|date=17 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044912/https://www.reservoir-media.com/news/post/MTcwMzItYzQ2YjA4/2-chainz-based-on-a-tru-story-riaa-certified-platinum|archive-date=29 September 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22726/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-1-27-2013|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 1/27/2013|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=January 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204180201/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22726/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-1-27-2013|archive-date=February 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Based on a T.R.U. Story track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 54:21

| title1 = Yuck!

| writer1 = {{flat list|

• Tauheed Epps
• Dwayne Carter Jr.
• Nicholas Warwar
• Matthew Burnett}}

| extra1 = {{flat list|

• Streetrunner
• Burnett}}

| length1 = 4:47

| note1 = featuring Lil Wayne

| title2 = Crack

| writer2 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Joshua Luellen}}

| extra2 = Southside

| length2 = 4:32

| title3 = Dope Peddler

| writer3 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Shondrae Crawford
• Tom Lehrer}}

| extra3 = Bangladesh

| length3 = 3:28

| title4 = No Lie

| note4 = featuring Drake

| writer4 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Aubrey Graham
• Noah Shebib
• Michael Williams II
• Marquel Middlebrooks}}

| extra4 = {{flat list|

• Mike Will Made It
• Marz{{ref|a|[a]}}
• 40{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length4 = 3:57

| title5 = Birthday Song

| note5 = featuring Kanye West

| writer5 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Kanye West
• Sonny Uwaezuoke
• Brandon Whitfield}}

| extra5 = {{flat list|

• Sonny Digital
• West{{ref|a|[a]}}
• BWheezy{{ref|a|[a]}}
• Anthony Kilhoffer{{ref|b|[b]}}
• Lifted{{ref|b|[b]}}
• Mike Dean{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length5 = 5:06

| title6 = I'm Different

| writer6 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Dijon McFarlane}}

| extra6 = {{flat list|

• DJ Mustard
• Mike Free{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length6 = 3:27

| title7 = Extremely Blessed

| note7 = featuring The-Dream

| writer7 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Terius Nash}}

| extra7 = The-Dream

| length7 = 4:05

| title8 = I Luv Dem Strippers

| note8 = featuring Nicki Minaj

| writer8 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Onika Maraj
• Brandon Henshaw
• Rico Brooks
• Travis McFetridge
• Ray Parker Jr.}}

| extra8 = YoungStarr Beatz

| length8 = 3:59

| title9 = Stop Me Now

| note9 = featuring Dolla Boy

| writer9 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Earl Coyners
• Maurice Jordan
• Matthew Furdge
• Tony Hester}}

| extra9 = {{flat list|

• Kenoe
• Got Koke}}

| length9 = 4:37

| title10 = Money Machine

| writer10 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Christopher Gholson}}

| extra10 = Drumma Boy

| length10 = 4:43

| title11 = In Town

| note11 = featuring Mike Posner

| writer11 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Michael Posner
• Ronnie Jackson}}

| extra11 = {{flat list|

• Mike Posner
• Lil' Ronnie}}

| length11 = 3:26

| title12 = Ghetto Dreams

| note12 = featuring Scarface & John Legend

| writer12 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Brad Jordan
• Carlos Broady
• William Guice
• James Walker
• Kenneth Lewis
• John Stephens}}

| extra12 = Broady

| length12 = 3:43

| title13 = Wut We Doin?

| note13 = featuring Cap.1

| writer13 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Leon Smith
• Williams II
• Middlebrooks}}

| extra13 = {{flat list|

• Mike Will Made It
• Marz{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length13 = 4:25

}}

{{tracklist

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| headline = Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)

| title14 = Countdown

| note14 = featuring Chris Brown

| writer14 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Anthony Burrell
• G'harah Degeddingseze
• Christopher Brown}}

| extra14 = {{flat list|

• AC Burrell
• PK}}

| length14 = 3:51

| title15 = Like Me

| writer15 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Emmanuel Nickerson
• Martin McKinney
• Carlo Montagnese
• Abel Tesfaye}}

| extra15 = Mano

| length15 = 3:49

| title16 = I Feel Good

| writer16 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Donald Cannon
• Marcene Harris}}

| extra16 = Don Cannon

| length16 = 2:21

| title17 = Riot

| writer17 = {{flat list|

• Epps
• Gary Hill}}

| extra17 = DJ Spinz

| length17 = 2:47

| total_length = 1:07:12

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer
• {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} signifies a vocal producer

Samples credits

• "Yuck!" contains a sample of "Down for My Niggaz", performed by C-Murder.
• "Dope Peddler" contains a sample of "The Old Dope Peddler", performed by Tom Lehrer.
• "I Luv Dem Strippers" contains a sample of "Mr. Telephone Man", performed by New Edition.
• "Stop Me Now" contains a sample of "Nothing Can Stop Me", performed by Cissy Houston.
• "Like Me" contains a sample of "The Birds Part 1", performed by The Weeknd.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Based on a T.R.U. Story}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Based on a T.R.U. Story|artist=2 Chainz|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2012|certyear=2016}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true | nosales=true | noshipments=true}}

• List of number-one albums of 2012 (U.S.)
• List of number-one R&B albums of 2012 (U.S.)
• List of number-one rap albums of 2012 (U.S.)

{{Reflist}}

{{2 Chainz}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2012 debut albums

Category:Def Jam Recordings albums

Category:2 Chainz albums

Category:Albums produced by Bangladesh (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Drumma Boy

Category:Albums produced by Kanye West

Category:Albums produced by Mike Posner

Category:Albums produced by The-Dream

Category:Albums produced by Mike Will Made It

Category:Albums produced by Mustard (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Southside (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Noah "40" Shebib

Category:Albums produced by Mike Dean (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Mike Free