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With a reputation for one-upping the competition by arriving via helicopter at rooftop listening parties for his own T.R.U. (The Real University) imprint, and with the kind of grandiose ambition a rapper from Atlanta’s Southside needs to chase the American Dream, 2 Chainz officially launched his solo career as the newest signing to Def Jam Recordings. 2 Chainz was brought to the label through Sha Money XL, Senior Vice President of A&R for the Island Def Jam Music Group.

“We are proud to welcome 2 Chainz to the Def Jam tradition and family of artists,” said Island Def Jam President & COO Steve Bartels. “We have a tremendous amount of respect for the incredible buzz 2 Chainz has built, and it’s our job to nurture and protect that. 2 Chainz has a credibility and flavor uniquely suited to the Def Jam lifestyle and brand. We look forward to great success together.”

With digital downloads of T.R.U. REALigion, his latest indie mixtape sensation (released in November 2011), numbering in the millions, 2 Chainz was winning new fans every hour. His hit tracks—including “Riot,” “Boo” featuring Yo Gotti, and the Drumma Boy-produced smash single “Spend It”—helped establish a new sphere of influence for the lanky, outspoken rapper.

“I think the world is catching up to me,” he reflected in a rare moment of calm amid an otherwise hectic life. “I’ve always been confident in what I do and have had the respect of the people.”

2 Chainz is a product of the competitive Atlanta scene that spawned his first group, the duo Playaz Circle (in which he was known as Tity Boi). They made their mark in 2007 with the rap-R&B-pop crossover hit “Duffle Bag Boy,” featuring Lil Wayne on the hook, released through the DTP (Disturbing Tha Peace)/Def Jam label. College Park native Tity Boi was a lifelong friend of Chris Bridges, a.k.a. DTP CEO and Def Jam recording artist Ludacris. But the time would come when 2 Chainz would leave the DTP nest and make it on his own.

His first step toward independence was the 2007 mixtape Me Against the World. Proving he could stand on his own, he vowed to “turn up” in 2009. He did exactly that with the double-disc mixtape All Ice on Me, followed by his two-part Trapavelli series. Both projects featured cameos from the likes of fellow underground kings Bun B and Gucci Mane, as well as his 2009 street hit “Stupid” and the surprise 2010 radio smash “Boo.”

“It’s The Real University, Two Gun Gang, Street Executives,” 2 Chainz recently told XXL. “It’s not DTP no more. I’m actually behind [Ludacris]; he’s still my homie. I just took another route as far as running my own company and bossing up. But on the other hand, I’m still working with him. He has an album coming out this year as well. Matter of fact, we are label mates now, which is crazy. So, yeah, that’ll be cool. I’m looking forward to that.