ATLANTA, GEORGIA — It’s been a hell of a week for 2 Chainz, but on Saturday night the Based on a T.R.U. Story MC returned to his native Atlanta for a triumphant hoemcoming to headline Hot 107.9’s annual Birthday Bash concert; and he added a few big names to the already star-studded guest list.
Chainz had the fans at Phillips Arena bouncing out of their seats with crowd favorites like “I Luv Dem Strippers,” “Spend It” and “Riot” and could’ve handled the set himself, but instead chose to share his moment with friends Rocko, Wale and Drake. The crowd was surprised when the Toronto MC touched the Birthday Bash stage for the first time, popping out to perform the hook for Deuce’s “No Lie.” From there Drizzy went into a medley of sure fire crowd pleasers like Lil Wayne’s “Love Me,” DJ Khaled’s “No New Friends” and his own “Started From the Bottom,” which prompted a spirited sing a long from the front row to the nose bleed section.
For Drake it was a chance to celebrate with a city that he has a deep love for, a love which he first expressed on his 2009 track “Houstalantavegas.” In fact Drake has been thinking about moving to the Southern hip-hop hotspot, his affinity is that real he says. “Every time I touch down in the city, I got so many memories. This is really where I started with Wayne,” he told MTV News backstage after his perfomance. “Tonight to kinda give back and be out there with Chainz and get that look together was great.”
2 Chainz thought so too. “Drake is my homie, Rocko’s my homie, Wale. I just wanted to do something different,” he told us, before he explained the thought process behind choosing the artists that he did to rock with him at Birthday Bash. “People always bring people up, I wanted it to be like a commercial within my show, but I wanted my commercials to be dope.”
Chainz wasn’t the only one who provided “dope” moments for the crowd. DJ Drama curated a set that included a excellent mix of hometown favorites and out of town stars. One by one the Gangsta Grillz DJ made way for Roscoe Dash, Trinidad Jame$, Rich Homie Quan,the ATL trio Migos, as well as Meek Mill and French Montana. Not to be outdone T.I. and his Hustle Gang collective had their own set with B.o.B. and Young Dro.
With all the excitement Birthday Bash had to offer however it was 2 Chainz who clearly owned the stage and even used the occassion to announce the title of his second LP, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time.
It was the perfect cap to what seemed to be a rollercoaster of a week for the rapper. Last Sunday 2 Chainz was robbed in San Francisco and on Tuesday he was arrested in Los Angeles, on Saturday however there was absolutely no hint of drama or worry. When he performed “Birthday Song” confetti fell from the rafters, signifying some type of grand finale but the decorated hit maker continued to go into overtime performing tracks like Young Jeezy’s “R.I.P.,” and his own “I’m Different.” For his closing number Chainz decided on Lil Wayne’s “Rich as F—” and when it was all said and done he dropped the mic to the floor, turned around and strutted off with his usual confident swagger. “For me it was just about taking a step forward,” he said.
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