Proud (2 Chainz song)

"Proud" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper 2 Chainz featuring American rappers YG and Offset. It was sent to urban contemporary radio on March 6, 2018 as the lead single from 2 Chainz's EP The Play Don't Care Who Makes It (2018).^[1] The song was produced by T-Minus and Vaiyeh.

Composition[edit]

The production contains "a few plaintive synth squiggles" with a snare and hi-hat beat,^[2] while lyrically the rappers reflect on their separate upbringings and relationships with their mothers.^[2][3] 2 Chainz details spending his childhood in a crime-ridden neighborhood with his mother in the first verse.^[2] It is respectively followed by verses from YG and Offset,^[2][3] the latter of whom performs in melodic, Auto-Tuned vocals^[2] and praises his mother for teaching him how to make money.^[3] The three rappers interpolate lyrics from the chorus of the song "My Momma" by Future featuring Wiz Khalifa, especially the line "My momma ain't raise no ho".^[3]

Critical reception[edit]

Aron A. of HotNewHipHop gave a positive review, writing "YG and Offset bring some fire verses through for the highlight of 2 Chainz latest project. On 'PROUD,' 2 Chainz brings T-Minus to handle the sleek production. The three emcees come through with fire and completely demolish their verses. While the project might only be four songs, 'PROUD' defintely [sic] stands out on the tracklist."^[4] Mehan Jayasuriya of Pitchfork wrote that "2 Chainz's guests never get the best of him on 'Proud,' a song that balances toughness, humor, street savvy, and genuine affection. It's hard to imagine another rapper landing the kind of trap song you could bring home to mom."^[2]

Music video[edit]

An official music video was filmed on March 9, 2018^[5] and released on March 27, 2018. Directed by 2 Chainz and Howard Ross and filmed in Atlanta,^[6][7] it features appearances from the rappers' mothers, who dress like them, lip-sync their verses and dance along with them in various neighborhoods.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} 2 Chainz's mother wears Gucci sneakers,^[10][12] a gold "Tru" necklace, gold-tinted Tom Ford Olivier shades^[13] and a bandana,^[14] as she poses next to a classic muscle car.^[11][14] YG's mother wears a red jacket,^[13][14] red bandana around her neck,^{[10][12][13][14]} high black socks, black loafers^[14] and dark red lipstick.^[13] Offset's mother appears inside a trap house, wearing tinted glasses^[14] and a heavy gold "Offset" chain^[13] and counting stacks of cash.^[10][11][13] The clip also shows people holding up signs with the song's lyrics, like "My Momma Ain't Raise No Ho" and "I'm Just Tryna Make My Momma Proud."^[11][12] The rappers and their mothers come together in the ending in front of the burned down house.^[10]

Live performances[edit]

On May 10, 2018, 2 Chainz and YG performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with their mothers appearing onstage alongside them.^[15]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

References[edit]