He may be called 2 Chainz, but right about now the rapper formerly known as T--y Boi is probably more partial to the number one.
That's the position his major-label solo debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story, which came out last Tuesday, August 14, is landing at on the Billboard charts this week. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the album moved 147,000 units, pushing last week's No. 1, the Now 43 compilation, down to No. 2, with 75,000 units. Meanwhile, Rick Ross' God Forgives, I Don't, which debuted at No. 1 three weeks ago, slid to No. 3 with 43,000 units sold. 2 Chainz actually exceeded industry predictions with his big week — last Friday, some industry sources predicted that Based on a T.R.U. Story would sell between 130,000 and 140,000 units. On top of all that, his Drake-assisted single "No Lie" is set to spend its second consecutive week at the top of the R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart as well.
It's a stunning career turnaround for 2 Chainz, who just a few years ago was seemingly stuck in industry limbo as one half of the group Playaz Circle. The duo failed to make much noise beyond their lone hit, 2007's "Duffle Bag Boy," featuring Lil Wayne, after being signed to Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace imprint for the better part of the 2000s.
2 Chainz, after years of struggle, is definitely grateful. "Thank each and every one of you that helped me have the NUMBER 1 album n kuntry," he tweeted today. 

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