Stripper lovin’ 2 Chainz rhyming at House of Blues

From the background to the foreground comes 2 Chainz, a Southern hip-hop veteran who's now getting the chance to shine like his bejeweled teeth.

Guest spots on hits by Kanye West ("Mercy") and Nicki Minaj ("Beez in Da Trap") goosed the career of the bawdy MC, who's been in the game since the late '90s, first as a member of Playaz Circle, where he went by the name Tity Boi.

His debut album as 2 Chainz, "Based on a T.R.U. Story," debuted atop the Billboard album chart last month with a mix of shout-along bass music ("I Love Dem Strippers") and by turns reflective and rugged street rap ("Ghetto Dreams").

He may occasionally get one-upped by his pals, as he does by Drake on "No Lie," the first single from "Story."

But with his star turn hard earned, it's just as hard not to root for the guy.

Especially if you're a stripper.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.