Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, rapper 2 Chainz became well-known for being one-half of the Southern hip-hop duo Playaz Circle, alongside his hometown rapper Earl “Dolla Boy” Conyers.
The duo eventually got signed to Ludacris’ Disturbing tha Peace label and became recognized for their 2007 debut single “Duffle Bag Boy” (featuring Lil Wayne). Like other musicians, 2 Chainz has ventured into the entrepreneurship space.
He is into real estate, inspired by his mother who was a mortgage loan officer during his childhood. According to him, his early encounter with real estate helped him to better understand the sector and how to make it.
He said that during his early days of hustling, he did a couple of things to flip his money before he eventually started buying commercial properties which he turned into a business.
“Early on when I was hustling, I tried to do a couple of little things to flip my money as far as buying little apartment buildings, Section 8 homes, and stuff like that,” he recalled in an interview with Earn Your Leisure. “And then, I ventured out and I started buying commercial [real estate]. Something that I could turn into a business.”
The rapper now owns Esco Restaurant & Tapas, Pink Trap House Museum, and Pamper Nail Studio, all located in one area in Atlanta, GA. Reflecting on his investment, he told the podcast that he has seen his investment truly pay off.
“When I bought this dirt here, I probably paid half a million dollars for it, which I know I done doubled or tripled that,” he shared.
2 Chainz launched Esco Restaurant with a business partner, Mychel “Snoop” Dillard. He credits his business partner for the seven-year milestone of the restaurant. He believes its unique dining and lounge experience is what has helped it to succeed.
Currently, Eco has locations in Atlanta, GA; Columbus, OH; and Memphis, TN. 2 Chainz recently said that there is an upcoming location heading to Dallas, TX.
“It’s a vibe, and with vibes people stick around a little longer than [a typical] restaurant… Although we have great food, we have other things that stimulate you as far as the music, the TVs, and great drinks,” he said of Esco.
