Life of 2 Chainz 'Based on a T.R.U. Story' (Updated January 16, 2013)

Originally known by the moniker "Tity Boi" while a member of the Atlanta-based Playaz Circle, rapper 2 Chainz launched his solo career in 2007 with the mixtape "Me Against the World." He's been hot ever since, with his debut studio album, "Based on a T.R.U. Story" bowing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in August 2012.

2 Chainz was the third act of the calendar year to start at No. 1 with a debut studio effort, but had already notched 10 hit singles on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since 2011. The song "No Lie" (featuring Drake) became his second No. 1 (and first as a lead act) after a collaboration track, "Mercy", spent five nonconsecutive weeks at the top. The song was credited to Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz, and shows the star power behind his push to the top.

Working with big names has become a bit of an art form for 2 Chainz, who grew up as Tauheed Epps in College Park, Georgia. After forming the hip hop duo Playaz Circle, Ludacris began recording several songs with the group. He ultimately became one of the best-selling rappers in the country, and he eventually signed Epps to his record label Disturbing Tha Peace, a subsidiary of Def Jam Recordings.

The man known as 2 Chainz has come a long way since then. He's part of Kanye West's GOOD Music label, facilitated his first solo tour (which wrapped December 22 in Vancouver), and won 4 BET Hip Hop Awards. He's also nominated for 3 Grammys, including Best Rap Album, and should have a sophomore album released by April 2013.