2 Chainz uses "Dabbin Santa" success for charitable outreach

2 Chainz surprises a disabled veteran and her son with some wonderful news this holiday season.

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

2 Chainz surprises a disabled veteran and her son with some wonderful news this holiday season.

2 Chainz' trendy "Dabbin Santa" line of Christmas sweaters won accolades in Forbes and popped up on some famous torsos this holiday season. Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton wore his during a day of Christmas merriment in Charlotte, when he made stops at the Salvation Army and several schools.

The success is a deeply personal one that helped the metro Atlanta rapper also known as  Tauheed Epps give back.

2 Chainz surprises a disabled veteran and her son with some wonderful news this holiday season.

Credit: Jennifer Brett

icon to expand image

Credit: Jennifer Brett

" I will be donating a part of the proceeds from each sweater to help families in need this Holiday season. Thanks to y'all!!" he announced on his sales page.

Cam Newton wore his Dabbin Santa sweater while sharing Christmas cheer. Photo: Cam Newton Foundation

Credit: Jennifer Brett

icon to expand image

Credit: Jennifer Brett

His site now features a heartwarming example of his dedication to helping others. A video clip shows him surprising a disabled veteran and her son with the news that he's paying her rent for a year and furnishing their apartment.

"I've been selling these really cool sweaters," he says. "A lot of the proceeds I feel like should go to families in need. Today I would like to offer to pay your rent for a year. What do you think about that?"

The resident is nearly speechless and very emotional.

In a message on his home page, 2 Chainz explains where his passion for philanthropy comes from:

"I remember when we didn't have hot water and I didn't want my friends to know, so I told them it was something wrong with that bathroom and they couldn't use my momma's I remember using the oven to heat the house. I would stand in the kitchen for hours to stay warm. I remember waiting until the water company closed at 5 ,so we could use a tool and turn the water back on until 6 a.m.  I remember going to sleep hungry. I remember a long ... extension chord coming from the neighbor's house to mine to borrow their lights. I remember stealing cable, cars, clothes etc. No matter how much pain I endured I smiled on the outside. It was my defense mechanism. I remember."

Here's the clip: