Birthday Song
by 2 Chainz (featuring Kanye West)

Album: Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012)
Charted: 47
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 2 Chainz hooked up with Kanye West for the second single from his Def Jam debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story. 'Ye also co-produced the track, alongside Sonny Digital (Soulja Boy, Rick Ross). 2 Chainz previously appeared on West's hit Cruel Summer single, "Mercy."
  • We learn from this strip club anthem that when shopping for 2 Chainz's special day, you're unlikely to find what he wants in your local mall. "All I want for my birthday is a big booty ho," he requests (or in the edited version, "big booty girl").
  • 2 Chainz enlisted West's DONDA design firm to create the album cover, which was shot by photographer Fabien Montiquethe and features the rapper wearing, yep, two gold chains on a black background. The G.O.O.D Music affiliate told MTV News: "That actual cover was me, Kanye, Donda, the whole team over there at G.O.O.D. Music, we had a meeting for like two hours. It was just symbolism."
  • When 2 Chainz appeared on the February 11, 2013 episode of the TV show 2 Broke Girls, bits of this song were performed by some of the characters in a plot line that followed the rapper to the Grammy Awards (conveniently airing a few days later on the same network: CBS). Based on a T.R.U. Story was up for Best Rap Album at the awards, but lost to Take Care by Drake.
  • Sonny Digital originally made the beat for Gorilla Zoe, who was recording a series of mixtapes. When 2 Chainz got to hear it, he reached out to his fellow Atlanta rapper and asked him if he could use the beat.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.