ReviewsListsDiscographyArtistsGenresCover ArtAbout
Discography Ranked

All 2 Chainz Albums Ranked Best to Worst (2026)

2 Chainz has released seven studio albums, and this page ranks all seven, from Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012) to Dope Don't Sell Itself (2022). His mixtapes (including the T.R.U. REALigion tape that launched his solo career), his EPs, his Playaz Circle records and the Lil Wayne collaboration Welcome 2 ColleGrove (2023) are not ranked.

2 Chainz7 albums8 min readUpdated October 2026Hip-Hop

Quick Take

Consensus PeakPretty Girls Like Trap MusicHis most cohesive and acclaimed trap albumMost PersonalRap or Go to the LeagueReflective, soulful and executive produced by LeBronThe DebutBased on a T.R.U. StoryHuge singles from rap's late bloomer

Why it ranks here

This is the album where 2 Chainz's personality and craft finally lined up. "Good Drank" and "It's a Vibe" are radio-ready without feeling cheap, "4 AM" with Travis Scott is moody and hypnotic, and "Burglar Bars" closes on a more personal note. Critics agreed — Metacritic 82 and a Pitchfork 8.0 — praising a long-time punchline artist for delivering a cohesive album.

Context

His fourth studio album, released June 16, 2017 by The Real University and Def Jam. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 106,000 units, promoted with pop-up shops and its famous pink trap house in Atlanta.

Highlights

  • Good Drank
  • It's a Vibe
  • 4 AM
  • Riverdale Rd
  • Burglar Bars

Weak Spots

  • A few features crowd the middle
  • Over an hour with bonus tracks

Production

Buddah Bless · Mike Will Made It · Murda Beatz · Mike Dean · Honorable C.N.O.T.E.

Influence

Proved that a trap album could be treated as a serious, cohesive piece of work by critics and fans alike.

Replay Value

Very high — the most consistent front-to-back listen in his catalog.

Why it ranks here

With LeBron James as executive producer, 2 Chainz made his most thoughtful record, built around the limited paths out of poverty that the title names. 9th Wonder, Pharrell, Mustard and WondaGurl give it a warmer, more soulful sound than his trap albums, and the writing is more personal throughout. Metacritic: 82; Pitchfork: 7.6.

Context

His fifth studio album, released March 1, 2019 through Gamebread, T.R.U. and Def Jam. It debuted at No. 4 with 65,000 units.

Highlights

  • Rule the World
  • Forgiven
  • Money in the Way
  • Statute of Limitations
  • I'm Not Crazy, Life Is

Weak Spots

  • Less playful than his best work
  • A couple of radio bids feel out of place

Production

9th Wonder · Pharrell Williams · Mustard · Mike Dean · WondaGurl

Influence

Expanded what fans expected from him and gave the late-career album a model.

Replay Value

High — rewards close listening more than any other 2 Chainz album.

Why it ranks here

As an album, Based on a T.R.U. Story is thin; as a collection of hits, it is formidable. "No Lie" with Drake, "Birthday Song" with Kanye West and "I'm Different" were everywhere in 2012, and his deadpan one-liners made him the most in-demand guest in rap. Critics were lukewarm (Metacritic 55), but its cultural footprint was huge.

Context

His debut studio album, released August 14, 2012 by Def Jam. It debuted at No. 1 with 147,000 copies, went platinum and was nominated for the Grammy for Best Rap Album.

Highlights

  • No Lie
  • Birthday Song
  • I'm Different
  • Extremely Blessed
  • Yuck!

Weak Spots

  • Album tracks lag far behind the singles
  • Little depth beyond the jokes

Production

Mike Will Made It · Sonny Digital · Kanye West · DJ Mustard · Southside

Influence

Completed one of rap's great late-career reinventions and made him a fixture of the early-2010s charts.

Replay Value

High for the singles, low for the rest.

Why it ranks here

The sequel to his debut is more ambitious, with Diplo, Mannie Fresh, Drumma Boy and Mike Will Made It behind the boards and a guest list running from Pharrell and Drake to Mase and Pusha T. "Feds Watching" is a smooth, Pharrell-assisted highlight, but the album lacks the inescapable singles that carried the debut. Metacritic: 67.

Context

His second studio album, released September 10, 2013 by Def Jam. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Feds Watching
  • Used 2
  • Where U Been?
  • Netflix
  • Black Unicorn

Weak Spots

  • Over an hour long
  • Few songs stick like his earlier hits

Production

Mike Will Made It · Diplo · Drumma Boy · Mannie Fresh · Honorable C.N.O.T.E.

Influence

Kept his commercial run going and widened his sound beyond pure trap.

Replay Value

Moderate — "Feds Watching" is the keeper.

Why it ranks here

ColleGrove was conceived as a full collaboration with Lil Wayne, but label issues meant only 2 Chainz is credited as lead artist. The chemistry is real on "Gotta Lotta" and "Bounce", and the producers — Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Mike Will Made It, Southside — keep it bright. It is short and enjoyable, if slight. Metacritic: 66.

Context

His third studio album, released March 4, 2016. It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. A credited sequel, Welcome 2 ColleGrove, followed in 2023.

Highlights

  • Gotta Lotta
  • Bounce
  • Smell Like Money
  • Not Invited
  • Rolls Royce Weather Everyday

Weak Spots

  • Feels like a victory lap rather than a statement
  • Wayne's verses vary in focus

Production

Mike Will Made It · Metro Boomin · Zaytoven · Southside · TM88

Influence

Rekindled the 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne partnership that fans had wanted since "Duffle Bag Boy" days.

Replay Value

Moderate — a quick, easy listen.

Why it ranks here

Delayed by sample clearances and announced after his Verzuz battle with Rick Ross, So Help Me God! is solid and occasionally inspired, with guests from Kanye West and Lil Wayne to Brent Faiyaz and Chief Keef. But it lacks a central idea or a breakout single, and it passed quickly. Metacritic: 68.

Context

His sixth studio album, released November 13, 2020 through Gamebread, T.R.U. and Def Jam. It peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Lambo Wrist
  • Grey Area
  • Southside Hov
  • Money Maker
  • Save Me

Weak Spots

  • No standout single
  • Guest list is scattershot

Production

Mike Will Made It · Mike Dean · TM88 · Chief Keef · LilJuMadeDaBeat

Influence

Minimal; a placeholder between his acclaimed late-2010s run and his last trap record.

Replay Value

Moderate — solid background listening.

Why it ranks here

2 Chainz called this his last trap album, and at thirty-two minutes it is his shortest. The punchlines are still there on "Kingpen Ghostwriter" and "Million Dollars Worth of Game", and Hit-Boy and Mannie Fresh contribute, but the record sounds like a craftsman going through familiar motions. Metacritic: 58.

Context

His seventh studio album, released February 4, 2022 through Gamebread, T.R.U. and Def Jam. It peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200.

Highlights

  • Bet It Back
  • Pop Music
  • Kingpen Ghostwriter
  • Million Dollars Worth of Game
  • Lost Kings

Weak Spots

  • Feels routine
  • Features outnumber fresh ideas

Production

Buddah Bless · Hit-Boy · Mannie Fresh · FKi 1st · BeatKing

Influence

Marked the end of his trap era, at least by his own account.

Replay Value

Low to moderate — short enough to revisit, but rarely essential.

Essay

The Complete Picture

2 Chainz's best albums came late. Pretty Girls Like Trap Music and Rap or Go to the League showed a rapper who had learned how to sequence, pace and focus an album without losing his humor. The early records are fun but single-driven, and the 2020s albums are reliable rather than essential.

Start with Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, then Rap or Go to the League, and keep Based on a T.R.U. Story for the hits.

Read next
More discographies →Latest reviews →

2 Chainz Albums in Order

  1. 2012Based on a T.R.U. StoryRanked #3
  2. 2013B.O.A.T.S. II: Me TimeRanked #4
  3. 2016ColleGroveRanked #5
  4. 2017Pretty Girls Like Trap MusicRanked #1
  5. 2019Rap or Go to the LeagueRanked #2
  6. 2020So Help Me God!Ranked #6
  7. 2022Dope Don't Sell ItselfRanked #7

2 Chainz Albums: Common Questions

What is the best 2 Chainz album?
We rank Pretty Girls Like Trap Music (2017) as the best 2 Chainz album, with a score of 8.2/10: Trap music elevated with wit, polish and real songs.
How many 2 Chainz albums are ranked here?
This ranking covers 7 2 Chainz projects, released between 2012 and 2022.
What is the earliest 2 Chainz album in this ranking?
Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012) is the earliest release in this list. We rank it #3.
What is the most recent 2 Chainz album in this ranking?
Dope Don't Sell Itself (2022) is the most recent release in this list. We rank it #7.
Which 2 Chainz album is ranked lowest?
Dope Don't Sell Itself (2022) sits at #7 with a score of 6.0/10.