Suebsaeng, Ben JacobsAsawin. “2 Chainz for Mayor?” The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
Sullum, Jacob. “The ‘Constitutional Conservative’ Who Wants to Legalize Pot-and Anything That’s Peaceful.” Reason.com. Hit and Run, 04 Mar. 2015. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
“Nancy Grace.” Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 03 Aug. 2015.
The world perceives Taueed Epps or more widely known as 2Chainz to be the typical rapper who boasts about his money and girls. However Epps is a loving father, former division one athlete, salutatorian of his high school class, and obtained a 4.0 in college. Social media highlights none of these things and his career has shaped his image. Recently Epps had debated Nancy Grace on her show about the legalization of marijuana. She had specifically debated 2Chainz because she knows his credentials and he is one of the biggest advocates of the legalization of marijuana. Further she knows he is one of the iconic figures in pop culture and the significant amount of influence he has on the youth.
Throughout the debate 2Chainz is conveying to the audience that marijuana legalization shouldn’t be the biggest problem in our country. Also many people believe Grace to be conservative as well as her audience, which makes it more difficult for 2Chainz to explain his message. Conservatives conceive marijuana as ”evil” because its action “harms other men” (Sullum). Marijuana causes significant hazards to people’s lives and that is the reason Grace seemed exasperated by 2Chainz support of marijuana. In her personal life Grace wanted to become an English professor, however this plan was altered when her fiancé was murdered. This ignited Grace’s career shift to a felony prosecutor. Throughout the debate Grace’s emotions are conspicuous when she discusses about people dying from marijuana or alcohol. She cannot stand the disgust that people suffer from marijuana because people get killed, abused, and sexually harassed. In the debate Grace’s embeds her arguments with videos regarding parents abusing their children with marijuana. She emphasizes how these incidents are “caused by marijuana”, but Epps disagrees and says its “mental illness and alcohol” that are to blame.
Additionally 2chainz discussed in the debate that he had to sell marijuana to provide for his family. He states, “It was a means, a way of living”. “I did it for them [his kids]. I sacrificed that for them so they wouldn’t have to do it.” Growing up from a small city in Georgia, Epps went from rags to riches. He was living in poverty in Georgia and he did everything for his family. The reason Epps’ is so successful is because of the power of capitalism. He is trying to inspire others to become prosperous. Also to extend his influence 2chainz is going to run as mayor for College Park. He adds, “I’m supposed to be running for mayor in College Park”(Jacobs). Epps wants to represent the marijuana community and how they are not the stereotypical community that does absurd things. Epps believes that it’s unfair how people with marijuana possession are treated. They are restricted to vote and ignored from society because it’s on their record.
Overall it’s ironic how people categorize celebrities and rappers because people judge them through their image and music. 2chainz may seem to be the typical rapper, but he is not because he is trying to make an impact on a community. Although he is flamboyant through his music, his music does not personify him.