2 Chainz: A Masterclass On Intuition, Self-Investment And Building A Lasting Brand

Key Concepts

• Entrepreneurship and Business Acumen: Two Chain's multifaceted career extending beyond music into business ventures.
• Intuition and "The Voice": The significance of inner guidance and self-trust in decision-making and success.
• Legacy and Impact: The artist's focus on creating lasting value and contributing positively.
• Financial Management and Investment: Strategies and perspectives on managing wealth and making strategic investments.
• Personal Growth and Maturity: The evolution of his mindset and approach to life and career.
• Authenticity and Truth: The importance of staying true to oneself amidst external noise and trends.
• Fatherhood: His experiences and perspectives on raising children.

Fatherhood and Family

Two Chainz, a father of three, expresses immense love for his role as a dad, emphasizing his presence in his children's lives. He has two teenage daughters and a son who will soon turn 10. His eldest daughter, 17, is focused on college applications, aiming for Howard University. His soon-to-be 13-year-old is active in flag football and in eighth grade. His son has aspirations in basketball, and Two Chainz admits to living vicariously through him. Despite the joys, he humorously states he prays not to have more children, citing their expense and the age gaps affecting sibling relationships. He is open with his daughters about their crushes and relationships, believing in fostering transparency.

Financial Investments and Stock Market

Two Chainz views investments in the Venture Capital (VC) space as akin to gambling, with a significant portion of his current assets tied up in companies awaiting public offerings. While he has a broker managing traditional stocks, his primary focus is on investments and callable yield notes offering better returns. He acknowledges the validity of investing in the S&P 500 but personally gravitates towards higher-yield instruments.

Music and Creative Process

"Life is Beautiful" Album

Two Chainz discusses his latest album, "Life is Beautiful," a collaboration with Larry June and Alchemist. He describes it as containing "jewels" about life, finances, and love, presented in a way that is not preachy or boring, allowing listeners to learn organically. He highlights his positive experience working with Alchemist, praising his attention to detail and the quality of the sound.

"Red Clay" Short Film

He also mentions his short film, "Red Clay," which he financed, co-produced, and co-wrote with his cousin Omar Epps. Filmed at his mother-in-law's house in Atlanta, the film is a deeply personal narrative about his relationship with his mother and a past act of addiction and selfishness. The film is currently on the festival circuit with Oscar consideration as a goal. The name "Titty Boy" for his music persona originated from his close relationship with his mother, being called a "titty baby" due to being spoiled.

"The Voice in My Head is God" Book

Two Chainz's upcoming book, "The Voice in My Head is God," is described as a departure from typical autobiographical struggles. He was inspired by letters his father wrote him from prison, which often bore the inscription "God is love." He realized the profound meaning of this phrase in his 40s, equating God with love. The book explores the concept of an inner voice that has guided him positively throughout his life, which he believes might be his conscience or a divine presence. It is not a religious text but a collection of experiences and their outcomes based on listening to this inner voice. He also includes a chapter on the "it voice," representing the temptation to do things one knows are wrong. His goal for the book is to encourage readers to quiet external noise and pay attention to their inner guidance.

Creative Inspiration and Intuition

He explains his creative process as being heavily influenced by intuition, often described as "the voice in my head." This voice prompts him to leave situations or make decisions, and he has learned to trust it, as questioning it has led to regrets. He likens this to a form of mental calisthenics, especially given his past long-term smoking habit. He also addresses a question from a fan about creating from truth amidst "noise," emphasizing the importance of "tunnel vision" and focusing on his own path and responsibilities, using external distractions as mere entertainment. He considers himself self-motivated and driven by a desire to leave a legacy.

Career Investments and Milestones

The Tour Bus Investment

A pivotal investment was the purchase of a tour bus for approximately $300,000, which he outfitted with a studio. This mobile recording space allowed him to work on music and features while on the road, significantly enhancing his productivity and accessibility. He recalls specific instances like Kanye West and Big Sean visiting the bus, and recording the hit song "No Lie" with Drake after a chance encounter. He still owns the bus, considering it a legendary and iconic piece of his career.

Exiting Disturbing Peace Deal

Another significant investment was paying Ludacris approximately $100,000 to exit his deal with Disturbing Peace, enabling him to pursue his independent career as Two Chainz. He views this as a well-spent investment that allowed him to establish his own brand.

Early Career and Influences

He recounts his early days in College Park, Georgia, and his transition from basketball to music. He was intrigued by rappers' styles and began freestyling. His first recorded song, "Player's Motto," received positive feedback, boosting his confidence. He credits older individuals in College Park with teaching him a more measured approach to situations, which he adopted. His mother, a survivor, instilled in him qualities of resilience and responsibility, having to contribute to household expenses from a young age due to his father's absence.

Business Ventures

Candyland Adult Entertainment Club

Two Chainz is involved in Candyland, an adult entertainment club in Atlanta, where he is focusing on the real estate aspect and growth. He notes the difficulty in obtaining licenses for such establishments, making their existing permits valuable.

Real Estate Holdings

He describes himself as a "property hoarder" with approximately 20 properties in Atlanta, including commercial and residential units. He has encountered challenges such as properties being demolished without his permission and being charged for it.

Escobar Tapas & Lounge

He co-owns Escobar Tapas & Lounge, which has been operating for nine years and is franchised in multiple cities. He emphasizes partnering with passionate individuals in the hospitality sector, like his partner Snoop, and highlights the organic nature of these collaborations.

Pizza Padora

He also helped a partner, David, open Pizza Padora, a vegan pizza restaurant in Atlanta that has been ranked as the number one vegan pizza in Georgia.

Crypto Investments

Two Chainz has held Bitcoin for a long time and purchased Bitcoin for all his children, holding them in trust.

Zen Water Investment

He is an investor in Zen Water, an alkaline water brand that utilizes recycled ocean-bound plastic. He sees this as an investment in environmental sustainability.

"Educated Young Street Brother" Superpower

Two Chainz elaborates on the quote, "I'm an educated young street brother. It's almost like having a superpower to have these qualities." He explains that being educated and having street knowledge provides a unique advantage, allowing him to see situations from multiple angles and operate effectively under diverse circumstances. His education, combined with his street upbringing, has instilled a deep confidence that cannot be easily shaken. He highlights his self-driven approach to education and his ability to learn and read at a high level, contrasting it with his mother's proactive approach to ensuring his homework was done.

Travel and Lifestyle

Two Chainz is a Delta 360 member with millions of miles. While he receives special treatment at airports, he still goes through TSA. He prefers connecting flights over direct flights to avoid long periods on a plane. He used to fly private jets frequently before the pandemic but now prefers wearing a mask to avoid recognition and the associated attention. He is considering downsizing his collection of 22 cars, keeping only five, including a Cullinan, Wraith, Lambo, Maybach, and Cybertruck.

Investment Philosophy and Pitching

When considering a business pitch, Two Chainz relies on trusted individuals to vet proposals to avoid emotional decision-making. He values pitches where the individual has "skin in the game," meaning they are personally invested financially, demonstrating their belief in the venture. He draws a parallel to his own $300,000 tour bus investment, which was made without a guaranteed deal but with the conviction that it would lead to opportunities.

Career Reflection and Legacy

Two Chainz describes his career as "blessed," acknowledging it as the first word that came to his mind, even if it feels cliché. He believes that "greatness" in hip-hop comes from both innate talent and hard work. He feels he has achieved greatness through his dedication. He is also considering investments in Africa, with his manager actively developing projects there, and he has family ties to Ghana.

First Million Dollars

His first million dollars was earned after exiting his contract. He spent it on two cars: a Maybach and a Phantom, which together cost around a million dollars. He reflects that he would still make that purchase, as it was a learning experience that contributed to his current financial understanding. He also mentions having $50 at one point and never wanting to be in that position again, and recalls receiving Pell Grants in college.

Future Investments

He is interested in investing in Africa and is actively seeking opportunities there. He also mentions his manager is building things in Africa. He expresses a preference for direct flights to Africa but enjoys connecting flights for the opportunity to stretch his legs.

Difference Between Good and Great Hip-Hop Artists

Two Chainz defines a good hip-hop artist as someone born to do it, while a great artist is someone born to do it and works exceptionally hard at it. He firmly believes he falls into the latter category.