2 Chainz Unveils New Track “NOT THE SAME” Featuring Ne-Yo from the “Red Clay” Soundtrack
2 Chainz has dropped a new single from the Red Clay soundtrack titled “NOT THE SAME,” featuring Ne‑Yo. Here’s what you should know:
🎤 Track Highlights
This is the third official release from the upcoming Red Clay soundtrack, following “THE ATL EXPERIENCE” (with Ronald Isley) and “SISTA WIVES” (with Lil Yachty) (hotnewhiphop.com).
The song blends 2 Chainz’s reflections on growth, loss, and overcoming trauma with Ne‑Yo’s soul-infused hook—capturing the emotional depth that matches the short film’s themes (themusicuniverse.com).
🎬 Connection to the Red Clay Short Film
The track aligns closely with the film’s storyline—a teenager grappling with adversity, set against the backdrop of his mother’s addiction (hotnewhiphop.com).
The accompanying visuals weave in scenes from the film, including transformative imagery like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly and community-set moments like a backyard barbecue (themusicuniverse.com).
🎧 Audio & Video Highlights
The song opens with reflective lyrics over a laid-back beat, such as: “I miss pop tellin’ me that we was eye to eye, he died right in front of me…” (themusicuniverse.com).
Ne‑Yo’s chorus reinforces resilience: “Once you get a little change, they gon’ say you changed, but you’re not supposed to stay the same” (themusicuniverse.com).
The official music video captures intimate, feel-good moments—Chainz and Ne‑Yo hanging out, playing cards, grilling, interspersed with cinematic film scenes (themusicuniverse.com).
⏳ Context & Release Info
Red Clay, a short film co-produced by 2 Chainz and Omar Epps, debuted at the Atlanta Film Festival on May 3 and was featured at the BET Experience Fan Fest around the 2025 BET Awards (hotnewhiphop.com).
Though the full soundtrack doesn’t yet have an official release date, it’s expected to arrive sometime this summer (hotnewhiphop.com).
💬 Why It Matters
Aspect
Insight
Artistic Growth
2 Chainz continues fusing introspective storytelling with mainstream appeal.
Strategic Collaboration
Partnering with Ne‑Yo taps into nostalgia while deepening the emotional resonance.
Integrated Storytelling
The synergy between song and film enhances the overall narrative experience.
🎧 Want to Watch or Listen?
The song and its video are currently live on streaming platforms like Apple Music and YouTube.
For a full cinematic ride, watch the Red Clay short film, which adds visual layers to the themes explored in “NOT THE SAME.”
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of the other soundtrack cuts, early audience reactions, or comparisons to his past film-music projects!