Epps formed the hip hop duo Playaz Circle (the word “Playaz” being a bacronym for “Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A to Z”) in College Park, Georgia in 1997, with his high school friend Earl Conyers (known as Dolla Boy), while Epps adopted “Tity Boi” as his moniker. Following the release of an independent album titled United We Stand, United We Fall (2002), the duo were introduced to fellow Atlanta rapper Ludacris, when he moved into their College Park apartment complex, whilst he was acting as a DJ. After taking interest in Playaz Circle, Ludacris began to record several songs with the group, playing some of them on his radio station.

Their debut album Supply & Demand, was released on October 30, 2007. The lead single and their debut single, “Duffle Bag Boy”, became an urban hit single. The song features Lil Wayne, and was performed by the duo at the BET Hip Hop Awards. The duo released their second studio album Flight 360: The Takeoff, on September 29, 2009. In January 2010, Playaz Circle filmed a music video for their single “Big Dawg” featuring Lil Wayne and Birdman at Studio Space Atlanta. Shortly afterwards, Epps left Disturbing tha Peace, a move he claimed was taken in order to advance his career. Although Ludacris was initially reluctant to allow Epps to leave the label (as he felt Epps could still prove financially successful), he eventually accepted the decision.

Epps has two daughters, Heaven, born on July 26, 2008, and Harmony, born on October 20, 2012. On October 14, 2015, 2 Chainz welcomed his third child, a baby boy named Halo. On August 18, 2018, Epps married his longtime girlfriend and mother of his three children: Kesha Ward.

Throughout Epps’s career, critics and fans alike have speculated the pseudonym “Tity Boi” was meant to be derogatory towards women, although he repeatedly denied such accusations. In early 2011, Epps decided to change his stage name to 2 Chainz, as he perceived it to be more “family friendly.” Following the name change, Epps released a mixtape entitled T.R.U. REALigion, which became his first mixtape to appear on the music charts, peaking at number 58 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Since the success of the mixtape, Epps has made numerous guest appearances on tracks by prominent recording artists such as Kanye West (“Mercy”) and Nicki Minaj (“Beez in the Trap”).

On March 24, 2012, Epps announced his debut studio album, whose title he had changed to Based on a T.R.U. Story from its original title of T.R.U. to My REALigion, was set for an August 14, 2012, release date. The album’s lead single, “No Lie,” features Canadian rapper Drake, and was released on May 8, 2012. On May 11, it was under speculation that Epps had signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music label, after West tweeted: “2 Chainz is charging 100k for a verse now cause he’s G.O.O.D!!!!!” However, Epps later denied those rumors, saying: “He just said I’m good, like I’m ill. But we was talking and I think I was jeopardizing my brand sometimes by doing the homeboy special. So I think he felt like we should just put that out there that we ain’t doing no more of that.” On May 30, 2012, Ciara revealed 2 Chainz was featured on “Sweat,” the intended first single from her fifth studio album, One Woman Army.

In late 2012, Epps stated once he completed the B.O.A.T.S. concert tour, he would reenter the studio. In November 2012, he revealed he was three songs deep into his second studio album. The album’s estimated release date was April 2013. The rapper made a guest appearance on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in an episode that aired May 8, 2013. He also appeared as himself in the second season (episode 16, titled “…And Just Plane Magic”) of the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls, where he travels on the same private planes as the two main characters. On May 23, 2013, he announced that his second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time will be released on September 10, 2013. On June 2, 2013, Epps premiered the first single from the album, titled “Feds Watching,” at the Hot 97’s Summer Jam. The song featured Pharrell Williams, and it was recorded on 2013 Grammy Awards night. On June 15, Epps announced the title of his second album would be B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. The album was released, through Def Jam Recordings, on September 10, 2013.

On October 23, 2013, Epps revealed that he had begun working on his third studio album immediately following the release of B.O.A.T.S. II. He also stated he had the first single from his third album ready for release and that he still wanted to get Jay-Z featured on the album. In November 2015, 2 Chainz revealed that he was releasing a joint album with Lil Wayne, titled ColleGrove. On May 5, 2014, Epps released a brand new EP titled FreeBase for free digital download. It includes 7 songs, and includes features from Lil Boosie, A$AP Rocky, Rick Ross and more. The EP has earned over 200,000 downloads. In January 2014 Epps released a promotional single titled “I’m A Dog.”

At the age of 15, Epps was convicted of felony cocaine possession. On February 14, 2013, Epps was arrested in Maryland en route to a concert at UMES for marijuana possession. Epps was then cited and released.

On June 11, 2013, Epps was arrested while on board a departing flight at LAX airport for possession of a controlled substance after TSA agents found that his checked bag contained marijuana and promethazine. He was booked and charged with felony narcotics possession. Later that day he posted $10,000 bond and was released. He was due back in court on June 21, 2013. Two days previous, he was reportedly robbed at gunpoint outside a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco.

Just before midnight on August 21, 2013, Epps’ tour bus was pulled over in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, because the passenger side taillights were out. The arresting officer reported that he smelled marijuana and saw smoke through the open door of the bus after he had stopped and pulled over the bus. The driver of the bus shut the door and told officers he was not authorized to allow them on the bus. The officer said the marijuana smell gave him probable cause to search, but the driver refused to open the door. After many attempts to enter, the bus was towed with the men still aboard to the police training center in Oklahoma City. Officers obtained a search warrant and the 10 men, including Epps, got off the bus. Police discovered two semi-automatic pistols and a 12-gauge pump shotgun, along with some prescription painkillers and marijuana residue, on the tour bus according to papers filed Oklahoma County district Court.

On January 6, 2015, 2 Chainz announced that he was starting his own independent record label “The Real University” (also known as “T.R.U.”; or “The Real U”). The announcement also revealed that frequent collaborators Cap.1 & Skooly were signed. Additionally, they signed former Young Money artist Short Dawg, who is now known as Fresh. Along with the announcement of the label’s founding, they also revealed they’d be releasing their debut mixtape TRU Jack City on January 27, 2015. On October 4, 2019, 2 Chainz announced that T.R.U has signed a partnership deal with Atlantic Records.

On January 27, 2016 Epps released an EP titled “Felt Like Cappin” the EP was released via online streaming sites and iTunes, the EP is promoted by the single “Back On That Bullshit” featuring Lil Wayne.

Epps began 2016 with the March release of a 12 record collaborative album with rapper Lil Wayne titled ColleGrove. The album was intended to be the debut album between 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, however, Wayne’s ongoing lawsuit with Cash Money Records prevented Wayne from being a primary artist on the album. Epps appears as the primary artist on the album with eight tracks featuring Lil Wayne. The album features prominent producers such as: Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Mike Will Made It, Zaytoven, TM88, Metro Boomin, London on da Track, and more. ColleGrove received decent reviews from critics and fans.

Epps continued his work in 2016 with the August 5, release of mixtape Daniel Son; Necklace Don, a 9 track mixtape that Epps released independently. Daniel Son; Necklace Don originally featured Drake and YFN Lucci on it but Epps chose to move the song, “Big Amount ft. Drake” to 2017 studio album Pretty Girls Like Trap Music due to its mass appeal on the mixtape and star power performance. Daniel Son; Necklace Don received a 3 out of 5 stars review from XXL magazine.

2016 was wrapped up by Epps third mixtape titled Hibachi for Lunch, released October 28. The seven track mixtape originally featured Quavo, Gucci Mane, Ty Dolla Sign, and Future however, the song, “Good Drank ft. Quavo and Gucci Mane” was moved to Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. Notable production was done by: Mike Will Made It, K Swisha, Buddah Bless.

In October 2016, he opened a line of hoodies called CEO Millionaires or Create Every Opportunity Millionaires. He also has his own line of sweaters called “Dabbing Sweaters.”

In 2017, Epps released his fourth studio album titled Pretty Girls Like Trap Music on June 16 by Def Jam Recordings. The album features Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Swae Lee, Migos, Jhene Aiko, Pharrell Williams, and more. Album production was done by Mike Will Made It, Buddah Bless, Mike Dean, Murda Beatz, and more. The album was supported by three official singles: “Good Drank”, “It’s a Vibe” and “4 AM”. The album was also supported by a nationwide concert tour, as well as several pop-up shops in the US. 2 Chainz alluded to the album showing “growth and maturation.” He stated the content would maintain its edginess while also elevating trap music to a point where everyone can appreciate it. Pretty Girls Like Trap Music received widespread critical acclaim, with most critics citing the album as his best album yet.

On November 15, 2017, the first episode of Most Expensivest aired on the TV network Viceland. The show focuses on 2 Chainz visiting different locations offering the “most expensivest” goods and services. Each show covers a particular theme, with shows ranging from personal health to extravagant indulgences. The show offers a unique insight into products and services that have been created with the explicit intent on being exclusive and expensive. 2 Chainz offers a unique, and often humorous insight into the products, especially the ones he personally finds to be either amazing or ridiculous. The show was renewed for a 20-episode third season, which aired in early 2019.

The Play Don’t Care Who Makes It is the fourth EP released by Epps on February 8, 2018, by Def Jam Recordings. The EP consists of four songs one of which features appearances from YG and Offset on the song “PROUD”. Production was done by Minus, June James, Nonstop, Streetrunner, and more.

On February 19, 2018, Epps announced his new album Rap Or Go To The League which was set to be released in 2018. However, the album was released on March 1, 2019. On March 26, 2020, 2 Chainz confirmed that ColleGrove 2, a sequel to 2016’s ColleGrove, would be released later in 2020.

On May 10, 2019, the Atlanta Hawks announced that 2 Chainz had acquired a minority ownership stake in the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.

In August 2020, following his Verzuz battle with Rick Ross, 2 Chainz announced that his upcoming sixth album would be titled So Help Me God. The album was initially scheduled for release on September 25, 2020, however in the week of its planned release, it was delayed due to sample clearances. 2 Chainz said “It should be another couple weeks”. It was then announced for release on November 13, 2020, and was preceded by the release of the single, “Quarantine Thick”, featuring Mulatto. On September 24, 2 Chainz played against Big Boi and his family on the season premiere of the reality game show Celebrity Family Feud.