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Chingy
Birth name	Howard Bailey, Jr
Born	March 10, 1980 (1980-03-10) (age 29)
Origin	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Genre(s)	Hip-Hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, actor, entrepreneur
Years active	2002-present
Label(s)	Capitol (2003–2004) Slot-A-Lot/Capital (2004–2007) Disturbing tha Peace/ Slot-A-Lot/Def Jam (2007–2008)
Associated acts	Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Amerie, Bobby Valentino, DJ Quik

Howard Bailey, Jr. (born March 10, 1980),¹ better known by his stage name Chingy, is an American Hip-Hop recording artist and actor.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early career 1.2 Jackpot (2003) 2 Dispute with Disturbing tha Peace Records 2.1 Powerballin' (2004) 2.2 Lawsuit 2.3 Hoodstar (2006) 3 Return to Disturbing tha Peace 3.1 Hate It or Love It (2007) 4 New ventures 5 Discography 5.1 Albums 5.2 Mixtapes 5.3 EPs 6 Acting Credits 7 References 8 External links

Biography

Chingy grew up in the historic Walnut Park section of St. Louis, a neighborhood he's referred to as the "Bad Blocks."²³ The middle child with two older brothers and two younger sisters, Chingy became a music fan at an early age citing Run-DMC and Ice Cube as his early rap heroes, stating:²

“

I was already trying to rap when I was a kid, I also listen to my share of old school music, so I know as much about Luther Vandross as I do about NWA.

”

Following in the footsteps of his heroes, Chingy began writing lyrics at age nine and was recording raps at age ten. He originally considered the stage names H. Thugzy and H Thugs, before settling on Chingy, a slang term for money.³⁴

Early career

In the wake of hip-hop's Dirty South phenomenon, Ludacris and his manager, Chaka Zulu, were quick to sign Chingy to their fledging Disturbing tha Peace label. Upon signing with DTP in 2003, Chingy was merely a local rapper with an immense amount of potential. Reminiscent of fellow St. Louis native Nelly (with whom he toured in 2002),³ Chingy's popular southern dialect combined with his smooth, confident, charming vocal style, made him considerably marketable in the wake of Nelly's massive success the summer before. With the quick release of the party rap track "Right Thurr," Chingy became an overnight sensation. The track gained immediate popularity in the clubs, especially throughout the South, and quickly infiltrated urban radio in the midst of summer while simultaneously climbing to the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number four.

Jackpot (2003)

Chingy's highly anticipated debut album Jackpot was released on July 15, 2003 on Disturbing tha Peace. However, unable to secure a distribution deal through Def Jam, Ludacris negotiated a deal to distribute the album through Capitol Records. Guest appearances included Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Murphy Lee, I-20, Tity Boi of Playaz Circle, Trina, and Jermaine Dupri. Fueled by the summer anthem, "Right Thurr," Jackpot also produced the hit single "One Call Away" featuring J-Weav and "Holidae In" featuring Snoop Dogg and Ludacris. The album was produced by the lesser-known St. Louis production crew The Trak Starz. The album was received well by critics and was regarded by some as the hottest album of the summer. Within a year of its release, Jackpot would be certified RIAA 3x Platinum.

Dispute with Disturbing tha Peace Records

After the success Chingy's debut album Jackpot, an ensuing monetary dispute between Chingy and Disturbing the Peace resulted in a separation of the rapper from the label. The partnership between Ludacris & Chingy turned sour after the Chingy accused his mentor and former label Disturbing tha Peace of cheating him out of cash. In regards to the dispute Ludacris released a statement saying:

“

This is the first time we're hearing about his accusations - through different media outlets instead of him talking to us individually - so all respect is lost. He [Chingy] keeps saying, 'It's cool.' It's not cool. There's no cool. There's nothing that's cool between us right now. It's just like completely over. Financially, he is still signed to Disturbing Tha Peace, and we'll do what we have to do but we don't want anybody representing the crew that's going to make false accusations like that. We have no respect for this individual, basically.5

”

Chingy insisted the new "beef" had gotten way out of control and in response to the rumors stated:

“

It ain't like that... If there was some beef you'd be hearing about it. You'd be hearing about him saying something about me and me saying something about him.5

”

Despite Chingy's attempt to quiet the rumors, it was confirmed in 2004 that Chingy had left the DTP organization to start his own Slot-A-Lot Records imprint through Capitol Records, stating that he made the move because he was tired of being "under Luda's wing", adding accusations that Ludacris' people had mismanaged his money by cutting him out of a merchandising deal.⁵

Powerballin' (2004)

Chingy released his second album, Powerballin', on November 16, 2004 through his Slot-A-Lot/Capitol Records record deal. The album peaked at #10 on the charts and featured the hit single, "Balla Baby." It was the only hit from the album, however the second single, "Don't Worry" gained moderate popularity. The album featured guest appearances from artists R. Kelly, Bun B, Lil Wayne, Lil Flip, Janet Jackson, David Banner, Nate Dogg, and Get It Boyz. Powerballin' would go on to sell one million copies.

Lawsuit

In June 2006 it was reported that local St. Louis record producer Ronald R. Gavin had filed a lawsuit against Chingy and his record producers The Trak Starz for more than $250,000, alleging that the rap star broke a record deal in 2002 so he could join Ludacris' national recording label Disturbing tha Peace.⁶ Gavin also claimed that in June 1999, Chingy signed an exclusive contract with his label, 49 Productions Inc., spending more than $100,000 developing Chingy's professional image and career as a rap star over the course of three years. Additionally, getting Chingy radio play and performances, while producing his album. According to court records, it was then, in 2002, that the Trak Starz got Chingy to sign a separate contract, with the promise to connect him with Atlanta-based rapper Christopher 'Ludacris' Bridges. Also claiming that The Trak Starz knew of Chingy's contract with Gavin.⁶ As of 2008, no other information has been released regarding this case.

Hoodstar (2006)

Hoodstar is Chingy's third album, released on September 19, 2006. The album featured a star-studded lineup of producers and rappers, such as Mr. Collipark, longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, and Mannie Fresh. Numerous guest verses were featured on the album. It features the summer hit single, "Pullin Me Back." The song features Tyrese on the hook and was produced by Jermaine Dupri. Other singles were "Brand New Kicks," "Hands Up," and "Dem Jeans." Hoodstar debuted at #8, selling 77,000 copies and has since gone Gold.

Return to Disturbing tha Peace

In 2007 it was reported that Chingy had returned to Disturbing tha Peace, three years after leaving the company, claiming that Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges and his manager Chaka Zulu were mismanaging his finances.⁷ According to Chingy,

“

...It wasn’t one of those things where it was like “Well I want to start working with Ludacris cause they want to start working with me”. It was kind of something that just happened as we seen each other in Las Vegas for an event at the Billboard Awards last year. We ran into each other and we all just sat down and talked. You know the whole thing was a misunderstanding, miscommunication, so we just all sat down and talked man. We settled the differences, put it in the past went to the club after that and it is what it was man I just ended up back on DTP.8

”

Upon re-signing with DTP, Chingy recorded a verse on track "Make That Money", where he confirms he has signed back with his old crew. He rhymes, "Was gone for a minute, back with the crew /Who?/ DTP so if you on top, we came to move you n****r."⁸ In regards to Chingy's departure from Capital Records he's stated that his decision to leave was due to the labels lack of promotion and inability to promote urban artists:

“

Capitol just don’t know how to direct an urban artist in the right direction. They really work with pop and rock so they didn’t really know what to do with me. We tried to give them direction, but you know everyone wants to take credit for stuff. I ain’t mad at Capitol, because that’s where I started at. They didn’t really know what to do man they was confused and they couldn’t lead you to where you wanted to go. DTP understands the business and works as a whole understanding were we all tryna get. Capitol just didn’t understand the urban music to me.8

”

He has also stated that his relationship with Ludacris is back to normal,

“

I mean it’s the same man like it ain’t no love lost. Everybody is still cool, all our work ethics are still the same, ain’t nothing changed for real. It’s just like you and your family getting into it ya’ll probably be mad at each other for a second, but eventually ya’ll be cool again. It’s still all good it’s just the same, Ludacris is still like a brother.8

”

In April 2007, Chingy signed a joint-venture between Disturbing tha Peace Records and his Slot-A-Lot Records imprint. Upon his return to DTP, Chingy was featured on the lead single from DTP's compilation album, Strength in Numbers, titled "Celebrity Chick." He would also begin working on his album, Hate It or Love It.

Hate It or Love It (2007)

Hate It or Love It is the fourth studio album by Chingy and the first since his return to DTP Records. The album featured production from Scott Storch, Timbaland, and Cool and Dre. The lead single from Hate It or Love It is "Fly Like Me," featuring Amerie. The album was released on December 18, 2007 and featured additional appearances by Ludacris, Bobby Valentino, Steph Jones, Trey Songz, Rick Ross, and Anthony Hamilton. This album also marked his Def Jam Recordings debut and is his second album off Disturbing tha Peace. The album debuted at #84 on the Billboard 200, selling 30,000 copies.

New ventures

In 2008, Chingy announced he's working on a reality show called "Business with the Baileys,"

“

It got something to do with my little sister Ziggy, she's an artist as well, but she also does fashion. We got my little cousin Young Spiffy, he's an artist on my label, and Jenna [people probably know her from College Hill Interns], who's his sister and my cousin...It's all family, Spiffy and his sister and me and my sister. The show, shows me in my everyday life and interacting with them and trying to help them with what they got going.9

”

Chingy is also planning on launching two clothing lines, "Red Marine" for men and "Pink Monkey" for women. ⁹

Discography

Albums

• 2003: Jackpot
• 2004: Powerballin'
• 2006: Hoodstar
• 2007: Hate It or Love It
• 2009: Everything and Nothing

Mixtapes

• 2009: Fresh Thug (with DJ Noize)
• 2009: Global Warning (with DJ Woogie)

EPs

• 2005: Pick 3

Acting Credits

• My Wife and Kids (2005)
• The George Lopez Show as himself (2005)
• One on One (2005)
• Punk'd as himself (2005)
• Scary Movie 4 as himself (2006)
• System Within as Nick (2006)
• Yo Momma as himself (2006)
• Caramel as Kyle (2009)
• Speed-Dating as Kenneth (2009)

References

External links

• Chingy at MySpace
• Exclusive Chingy interview at TrulyHollywood.com

v • d • e Chingy Albums Jackpot · Powerballin' · Hoodstar · Hate It or Love It · Everything and Nothing Singles "Right Thurr" · "Holidae In" · "One Call Away" · "Balla Baby" · "Don't Worry" · "Pullin' Me Back" · "Dem Jeans" · "Fly Like Me" · "Gimme Dat" Labels Capitol Records (former) · Slot-A-Lot / Disturbing tha Peace (current) Related Articles Discography