Review: The Rap Game’s Smoothest Duo? How 2 Chainz & Larry June Made "Life is Beautiful" Look Effortless

Some albums feel like a moment in time, and some feel like a statement. Life Is Beautiful, the collaboration between 2 Chainz, Larry June, and The Alchemist, is both. It’s the type of project that makes you appreciate rap as an art form—not just for the beats and hooks, but for the craftsmanship in every bar.

From the jump, 2 Chainz sounds like he’s on a mission. He’s always been a sharp lyricist, but this project showcases the full range of his pen. Some rappers lean heavy on metaphors, some are all about punchlines, and others excel at painting vivid lifestyle bars. 2 Chainz manages to do all three seamlessly, showing just how well-rounded he really is. One moment, he’s hitting you with layered metaphors and slick wordplay; the next, he’s dropping real-life luxury bars like, “lookin’ at a chandelier during a wine tasting.” That’s just one example of how effortlessly he blends substance with style. The consistency in his verses makes it clear—this is some of his sharpest rapping yet.

Larry June, on the other hand, is exactly where you’d expect him to be—comfortable. Having already built chemistry with The Alchemist on previous projects, he slides into the production effortlessly, keeping his delivery cool and calculated. While 2 Chainz brings the punchlines and hunger, Larry balances it with his signature smoothness. His ability to blend so naturally with 2 Chainz also stems from his time spent in Atlanta growing up, as well as his Trap Larry era, which gave him an understanding of the city’s sound and culture. That history makes their collaboration feel even more organic, as if the two were always meant to trade bars over Alchemist’s production.

Production-wise, The Alchemist delivers in ways only he can. On Life Is Beautiful, 2 Chainz specifically says that he made The Alchemist pick all the beats, and that decision played a big role in shaping the project’s unique sound. Because of that, the production doesn’t fit into one specific regional box—it has layers. There are moments where the beats lean into trap influences, like on “Colossal” and “Generation,” but Alchemist still keeps that signature hip-hop essence woven throughout. Not every rapper can sound comfortable over his production, but 2 Chainz and Larry June not only adapt, they elevate.

Speaking of “Generation,” that track in particular stands out. The hook carries an element of accountability, making it more than just a catchy moment—it resonates. It follows “Life Is Beautiful,” a breezy, feel-good track that leans into a flute-driven sample, setting the tone for one of the album’s strongest sections. Another standout is “I Been,” rounding out the list of records that hit hardest.

At its core, Life Is Beautiful is a testament to balance—gritty yet luxurious, streetwise yet introspective. It’s a reminder that elite lyricism and thoughtful production will always cut through, no matter what’s trending. And for 2 Chainz, this might just be one of the best lyrical performances he’s ever put together.