The Def Jam rapper explained that B.O.A.T.S II: #METime would be the ultimate record to self-reflect to, or gain some ‘me time’ as 2 Chainz calls it. Self-indulgent it certainly is, and we would expect nothing less from 2 Chainz, considering his swag and confidence. Before the album even dropped we knew we were in for some serious #TityBoiTime as 2 Chainz reveled in his success on the single ‘Where U Been?’ The track attacks the rappers left behind while Tity 2 Necklace has moved ahead in the game. There are some classic 2 Chainz lines on it, for example, "pocket full of dead guys and you know I'm anti/Anti-social, anti-lame, but ain't I cool nigga, ain't I?"
We don't only see the materialistic 2 Chainz on this album, but the Hair Weave Killa shows his depth with tracks like ‘Beautiful Pain’. This is a great song featuring Ma$e, and Lloyd on the hook which conveys the sacrifices that need to be made in order to succeed, ‘scared money don’t make no money’. We hear 2 Chainz spit on a smoother beat in a reflective manner, giving an often unseen insight into his feelings. Nonetheless 2 Chainz is best when he's on his repetitive, somewhat ignorant, fun records, of which there are plenty on this album.
Arguably the most crucial factor that progresses the rapper’s discography is the impressive production here. The producers definitely serve as an attractive selling point on the album. Mike WiLL Made It, Pharrell Williams, Diplo, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League and StreetRunner are all involved on this record. As great as the production is, a hit album cannot simply hinge on this. At times the record is over-reliant on using production in attempting to give these tracks the ‘hit factor’.
The features on this record are interesting with some unexpected choices, like Chrisette Michele and Sunni Patterson on ‘Black Unicorn.’ The experimental record makes for an interesting listen, with 2 Chainz’ rapping contrasting Michele’s sweet sound. Some of 2 Chainz' feature choices inspire a different sound from the rapper, but some, like 'I Do It' with Drake and Lil Wayne are just good ol' Tity Boi.
Overall this record is a decent body of work from 2 Chainz, there are definitely some dope tracks on it. Great production is accompanied by some unexpected features, while 2 Chainz serves up his bars about selling drugs, the police, women, and high end fashion-- it's nothing we haven't exactly heard before, but Tity Boi attempts to present it in a new way. However, maybe not new enough, the sales projections aren't suggesting that B.O.A.T.S. II will be as huge a record as Based On A T.R.U. Story was, perhaps because of the lack of (at least, thus far) a huge single (like, 'Birthday Song').
