2 Chainz - Trap Check

What this video is

Released June 23, 2017, 'Trap Check' arrived during the peak commercial moment of Atlanta trap music's mainstream crossover. The video's human chess concept — performed on a monumental checkered stage with body-painted performers — uses the metaphor of chess to interrogate power, violence, and survival within trap culture. The fully desaturated visual palette strips away the color excess typical of the era's rap…

Why it matters

Represents a landmark in trap-era conceptual music video production, using surrealist staging and full monochrome desaturation — rare for the genre — to elevate trap aesthetics into fine-art territory. The chess metaphor resonates with longstanding hip-hop iconography around strategy and survival,…

The director

Howard Ross (also credited as Hdotross) is an Atlanta-area music video director and creative. His IMDb credits include directing for 2 Chainz and Young Dolph, with notable works including 2 Chainz's 'It's a Vibe' (2017), Young Dolph's 'Drippy' (2018), Young…