2 Chainz performed a dramatic version of Forgiven on Thursdays Tonight Show, recruiting a string section, childrens choir and the operatic voice of R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius.
Throughout the song, the rapper lamented an adolescence in which his dreams [turned] to nightmares. I stayed in the Creek, junkies used to preach/In the dope game, tryna reach my peak and go undefeated, he rhymes. I pleaded with the judge, this my first offense/High school b-ball, Im tryna get a scholarship/On a bumpy road like an ATV, EBT.
Over the airy strings and choir, he ended the performance with a warning to young fans: If youre doing something make your parents have to bury you, you may wanna slow down.
Forgiven is the opener from 2 Chainzs just-released fifth LP, Rap or Go to the League, for which NBA star LeBron James served as A&R. The album features several major cameos, including spots from Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla Sign, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Kodak Black, E-40 and Francis and the Lights.