2 Chainz (with his two chains) plays it safe but effective on 'B.O.A.T.S. II.' (via Wikimedia)

Whether he’s rhyming about his gold glistening, dropping designer names or being featured on the songs of your favorite artists, there’s no doubt that he’s got the industry’s ear.  

The Atlanta rapper (formerly known as Tity Boi) has already achieved the unachievable by re-launching his career under a new name and reaching massive success as a solo artist.

Lyrically, he’s no Nas. However, his catchy flow and hard-hitting beats keep fans coming back and judging by the tracks on his sophomore effort, "B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time," he has no problem ascribing to the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Similar to his debut, "Based on a T.R.U Story," the album finds 2 Chainz demonstrating his own voice and mastering it instead of emulating the sound of other emcees.

On the LP, 2 Chainz swaggers through each track with smooth, easy to digest lyrics juxtaposed with edgy yet, classic rap beats crafted by the likes of hit makers such Mike Will Made It and Pharrell Williams, who produced the album’s first single “Feds Watching.” 

"B.O.A.T.S. II" opens with “Fork,” an ironically humorous skit where 2 Chainz asks his mother if she took money from his pants the previous night. Immediately, it breaks into a blaring chorus that sets up the remainder of the album, which can be described as anything but relaxing.

"I had a dream that rap wouldn't work / I woke up on the block, had to hit it with the fork," he recalls, remembering days of dealing crack cocaine. 

The following track, "36" — "That's how many ounces in a brick / 36" — serves as a crash course for the mainstream listeners and with the many perfectly placed one-liners throughout the album, you almost forget the seriousness of some of the content. 

2 Chainz is an artist with a past. Before going solo, the 35-year-old emcee was signed to Ludacris’ DTP label as a member of the group Playaz Circle.

Following the release of their 2009 album, "Flight 360," the group left DTP.  The departure ultimately allowed 2 Chainz to shift gears in the industry. The journey is one in which he addresses on this record more than ever.

The song “Black Unicorn” is a blatant departure from the rest of the "B.O.A.T.S II," with a powerful verse from poet Sunni Patterson and breathy chorus from Chrisette Michele, giving the track a neo-soul feel. Yet, it feels strangely necessary.

“Free at last, free at last / That's what I said when I got out my last deal / Some people can't relate, sleep is the / cousin of death, that is some Nas shit,” he raps.

However, despite the revelations about his past, 2 Chainz’ fun, energetic spirit is never far away on the album. 

There’s “Used 2” in which he channels rapper Juvenile’s signature “Back That Azz Up” flow through New Orleans producer Mannie Fresh, high energy “I Do It” featuring Drake and Lil Wayne and the unconventional, yet awesome collaboration with Fergie on the track “Netflix.”

Overall, "B.O.A.T.S II" delivers nothing more or less than the product that we’d expect from 2 Chainz. But, whether you love it or hate it, he has no problem with reminding you that it’s, in his words, “me time.”

Read more of NT's album reviews here.

Reach Staff Reporter Courtney M. Fowler here. Follow her on Twitter here