2 Chainz reveals first trailer for ‘Red Clay’ short film co-produced by Omar Epps [VIDEO]

2 Chainz’s ‘Red Clay’ Short Film and Soundtrack Celebrate Atlanta’s Resilience

Hip-hop mogul 2 Chainz just dropped the official trailer for his long-awaited short film Red Clay, giving fans a gripping preview of the project via his Instagram page. The trailer arrives alongside renewed promotion for the film’s star-studded soundtrack and a call to action for fans to join a VIP email list for exclusive updates and early access.

Premiering at the Atlanta Film Festival back in May, Red Clay is a passion project co-written and co-produced by 2 Chainz and actor Omar Epps. The story centers on Nook, a teenage boy played by rising actor Christopher A’mmanuel, who struggles to protect his younger brother while navigating his mother’s drug addiction and the harsh realities of early 2000s Atlanta.

The soundtrack—a powerful blend of nostalgia and storytelling—features new music from The Isley Brothers, Lil Yachty, Ne-Yo, and more. More than just a film, Red Clay is a cultural statement built on memory, music, and Atlanta pride.

The Evolution of 2 Chainz: Music, Growth, and Reinvention

Long before becoming one of the most respected rappers in the game, Tauheed K. Epps—known professionally as 2 Chainz—was hustling in the Southern rap trenches as Tity Boi. One-half of the duo Playaz Circle. Raised in College Park, Georgia, he came up alongside fellow Georgia native Earl “Dolla Boy” Conyers. The duo’s breakout came when they signed to Ludacris’ Disturbing tha Peace label. Following up with the release the street anthem “Duffle Bag Boy” featuring Lil Wayne in 2007. A record that instantly made them regional heavyweights.

But 2 Chainz’s real transformation began in 2012. Shedding his former moniker, he rebranded as a solo act and inked a deal with Def Jam Recordings. That same year, his feature on Kanye West’s “Mercy” skyrocketed him into the mainstream. Back-to-back bangers like “No Lie” featuring Drake and “Birthday Song” with Kanye cemented his crossover appeal. With both earning double platinum status. His debut solo album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and although critics were divided, the fans showed up—solidifying 2 Chainz as more than just a feature king.

From Trap Star to Multimedia Mogul

Over the next decade, 2 Chainz evolved his sound and influence. Albums like B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, ColleGrove (with Lil Wayne), and Pretty Girls Like Trap Music showcased his range. His 2019 album Rap or Go to the League brought vulnerability and social commentary into his catalog. While 2022’s Dope Don’t Sell Itself marked the end of his journey with Def Jam. In 2023, he once again teamed up with Wayne for Welcome 2 Collegrove, before stepping into full independence in 2024.

Accolades followed the growth. A Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance with Chance the Rapper, three BET Awards, and five BET Hip Hop Awards affirmed his impact. Meanwhile, his luxury taste and comedic charm earned him a four-season run as the host of VICE TV’s “Most Expensivest .” Reviewing outrageous high-end products and solidifying his place as a tastemaker.

Today, 2 Chainz is more than an artist—he’s a cultural entrepreneur, balancing music, fashion, film, and wellness. While also highlighting Atlanta’s authenticity and billionaire ambition.

Red Clay Film First Look

On July 22, 2 Chainz dropped the official trailer for Red Clay on his Instagram, giving fans a gritty, emotional preview of the highly anticipated short film. The trailer opens with sweeping shots of East Atlanta and centers on Nook, a teenage boy torn between shielding his younger brother and escaping the generational cycles of poverty and pain. Directed by Christian Nolan Jones, the film stars Rutina Wesley (Queen Sugar) and rising actor Jaylen Ragin, set against the turbulent backdrop of Olympic-era gentrification and BMF-era street culture.

Speaking to Variety, 2 Chainz said, “Atlanta is full of resilience, and bringing Nook and Bub’s story to life—everyday folks fighting to survive—means everything to me.” Co-creator Omar Epps added, “My inspiration was to unpack brutal truths and showcase why Black and brown communities normalize trauma.”

The trailer’s Instagram debut quickly lit up social media. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) praised the raw storytelling and Atlanta pride, with posts like, “2 Chainz and Omar Epps made a movie for the A!” and “This is giving Snowfall meets Moonlight.” From its visual tone to its cultural commentary, Red Clay promises more than a film—it’s a message wrapped in music, memory, and survival.

Red Clay Soundtrack

The Red Clay soundtrack amplifies the film’s emotional core with genre-crossing production and storytelling.

• “The ATL Experience” feat. The Isley Brothers (released May 2): Ronald Isley delivers a haunting hook—“Atlanta is bad to you, at home come back to you”—layered over lush keys and soulful horns.
• “Sista Wives” feat. Lil Yachty (released May 15): Over a Buddah Bless beat, Yachty flexes his offbeat charm while 2 Chainz paints pictures of love and chaos in the South.
• “Not the Same” feat. Ne-Yo (released June 10): A melancholic ballad about loss and legacy, with 2 Chainz rapping, “I miss pop tellin’ me that we was eye to eye.”
• “I Wanna Win” (released July 10): A motivational anthem with lines like “Get rich, got a plan, consistency and talent mix,” underscoring the film’s core theme of perseverance.

Fans praised the collection online: “This soundtrack slaps—2 Chainz curated a vibe,” and “ATL soul in every beat,”

Omar Epps: From Cult Classics to Cultural Commentary

Omar Hashim Epps isn’t just co-producing Red Clay—he’s bringing decades of cinematic weight with him. Born on July 20, 1973, Epps first made his mark in the early ’90s with roles in era-defining films like Juice, Higher Learning, and The Wood. His ability to bring emotional depth to coming-of-age and urban drama narratives solidified his status as a go-to actor for stories rooted in realism and community.

Epps continued his film dominance in In Too Deep and Love & Basketball, before transitioning seamlessly into prestige television. He starred as Dr. Dennis Gant in ER, then became a household name through his eight-season portrayal of Dr. Eric Foreman on the critically acclaimed medical drama House. Later, he took on leading roles in Resurrection, Shooter, and most recently, Detective Malcolm Howard in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Where his gritty portrayal resonated with a new generation of fans.

Epps’s excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. His shelf includes nine NAACP Image Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, one MTV Movie Award. In addition to one Black Reel Award, and one Screen Actors Guild Award. A testament to both his versatility and staying power.

His collaboration with 2 Chainz on Red Clay feels less like a left turn and more like a natural evolution. As someone who has always gravitated toward projects with cultural depth and social weight, Epps’ presence in the film brings not just acting credibility, but storytelling intention.

Public Reaction Red Clay

The internet lit up after the trailer dropped.

• “2 Chainz and Omar Epps snapped with Red Clay, Atlanta’s story needs this,” one user @thekaranation posted.
• “Lil Yachty and Ne-Yo on one project? 2 Chainz cooked,” @iamdanicoleman added.
• Some fans expressed frustration: “Why only festivals? Drop Red Clay for everyone,” @ladye-comedyy commented.

Atlanta Cultural Impact

Set during a pivotal time in Atlanta’s history, Red Clay taps into a city grappling with displacement. In addition to the rising trap culture, and economic shifts. The early 2000s era saw the collision of Olympic ambition and grassroots hustle—perfect terrain for this story.

Filming locations like Moreland Supermarket and Waffle House add local authenticity. The track “The ATL Experience” even features nods to real ATL icons like OutKast, T.I., and Pastor Troy.

Posts like “Red Clay is Atlanta’s soul on screen” reflect the film’s deep resonance with the city’s legacy of art, resistance, and innovation.

A New Era of Storytelling in Music

2 Chainz and Omar Epps’s Red Clay isn’t just another celebrity project. It’s a carefully curated tribute to Atlanta’s grit, history, and culture. The film and its soundtrack tell stories that resonate across generations. Especially for those who’ve lived through or grown up admiring the city’s rise.

If you’re a hip-hop head, a lover of Southern storytelling, or simply someone who believes in the power of resilience, Red Clay offers something worth watching—and listening to.