The song is the first release from upcoming Red Clay Soundtrack
Multi-platinum rapper, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and entertainer 2 Chainz delivers a powerful new single, “The ATL Experience” featuring Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers, the first release from the official soundtrack to his upcoming short film, Red Clay, via Empire. A deeply personal tribute to the complexities of his hometown, the track blends gritty storytelling with soul-soaked melodies and honest reflections on life in the city that raised him.
Opening with the line, “We gonna vibe on this one, give you a run down, a little 285 talk,” 2 Chainz sets the tone with a nod to Atlanta’s I-285 highway—a loop that not only encircles the city, but also symbolizes the full-circle nature of his journey. From there, he paints vivid scenes with unfiltered bars that capture the duality of growing up in Atlanta. “Tuna fish was my favorite dish, I admit I’m really blessed,” reflects on humble beginnings, while “In the A these young n**s crazy, better own a zip” speaks to the city’s harsh realities and street codes. He continues, “Daddy wasn’t around, that’s real neglecting,” revealing generational wounds hidden beneath appearances, and “Smiling in your face and stab you in your back” delivers a sobering truth about betrayal from those closest.
In one standout verse, Chainz tells the story of a woman who confides in a new friend, only to be set up and robbed by that friend’s boyfriend, underscoring how trust can be weaponized in a place where survival often trumps loyalty. Tying it all together is Ronald Isley’s chorus “Atlanta is bad to you, at home come back to you,” a line that echoes the bittersweet push-and-pull of a city that can break you and still feel like home.
Released alongside the single, the “The ATL Experience” music video doubles as a visual tour of Atlanta and a cinematic gateway into 2 Chainz’s short film Red Clay. The video opens with sweeping shots of the city’s East Side Moreland Supermarket, Waffle House, Candyland, and the “Welcome to East Atlanta” sign before Chainz emerges from Moreland Supermarket with The Isley Brothers in tow.
From there, the video follows a black Chevrolet and a burgundy Chevelle as they roll through pivotal neighborhoods from 2 Chainz’s past, weaving between moments of nostalgia and raw realism. Throughout, viewers catch glimpses of Red Clay, the short film co-produced by 2 Chainz and Omar Epps, which tells the emotional story of Nook, a teenager navigating adolescence amid his mother’s battle with addiction. As Nook fights to protect his fractured family, the film explores themes of ambition, desperation, and the weight of coming-of-age under pressure. These themes echo back into “Atlanta,” forming a cohesive universe where music, memory, and storytelling intersect.
