2 Chainz’s work is more conceptual, and he plays around with multiple styles. ‘Rap Or Go To The League’ was almost like ‘clickbait.’” This is one of the first times in recent memory that I’ve read a substantive quote from an artist about his album. In an interview with the radio show The Breakfast Club, 2 Chainz said, “I wanted to show people that they can do more than just have a wicked crossover or be able to hold certain notes … On this album I tried to teach a bit more, tried to have a little more substance, more concepts, cause I love concepts. As former NBA MVP Kevin Durant once said in an interview, getting name-dropped in a song “makes you feel like you made it.” 2 Chainz takes this relationship to the next level on “Rap or Go to the League,” bringing in LeBron James to do help pick the songs that made it onto the album as well as the featured artists. Rap music today is replete with references to sports, most famously exemplified by Jay-Z’s boast in the song “Empire State of Mind:” “If Jeezy’s paying Lebron, I’m paying Dwyane Wade.” Musicians and athletes feed off each other in pop culture they party together, and athletes play their music during games and practices. The title of his newest album “Rap or Go to the League,” released this past Friday, refers more to the intersection of hip hop culture and professional athletics.

Cole also had a fantastic high school career). (He is not the only rapper who was a star basketball player - J.

But because he lacked the athletic ability to have a legitimate shot at the league and instead held an unapologetic talent for wordplay, he made the decision to rap.

According to ESPN, Tauheed Epps, known professionally as 2 Chainz, was an accomplished high school basketball player who was recruited at the D1 level and eventually played a full season for Alabama State University.

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