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CHINGY - Artist Profile

Real name: Howard Bailey Jr.
AKAs: H Thugz, Chingy Jackpot
Official website: fulldekk.com
Born: March 9, 1980
City: St. Louis, MO
Groups: Without Warning
Labels: Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam, Slot-a-Lot, Bungalo Records, Universal Music Group, Real Talk Entertainment
Influences and favorite artists: Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ludacris, Big Tymers, Nelly, Eazy-E, Lil Jon
Image source: XXL

Chingy grew up in St. Louis, MO, in the Walnut Park neighborhood, attending McCluer North high school in Florissant. In his early years he got mixed up with gang members affiliated with the Bloods, and says that he was scared straight after being grazed in the head by a bullet at the age of 17. He got into hip hop at an early age, recording raps as early as ten years old, and eventually took the name H Thugz and formed the group Without Warning with fellow rappers MGD and Mysphit. The group scored a local hit with their song "What's Poppin' Off," and Chingy later changed his name to his current moniker, which is a slang term for change or money.

Chingy gained the attention of rapper Ludacris, who signed Chingy to his own imprint, Disturbing tha Peace. At this time, St. Louis rap was experiencing a major boom thanks to the success of Nelly and the St. Lunatics, and Chingy's debut single, "Right Thurr," was a smash hit, capitalizing on public interest in the St. Louis dialect. In 2003 Chingy released his debut album, Jackpot, on Disturbing tha Peace through a distribution deal with Capitol, instead of Ludacris's parent label Def Jam which declined to distribute the album. It produced two more smash hits with "Holidae In," featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg, and "One Call Away," featuring Jason Weaver, as well as also producing a remix to "Right Thurr" which featured Jermaine Dupri and Trina. The album was almost solely produced by fellow St. Louisans Trak Starz, and managed to peak at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 with double platinum certification from the RIAA. The album was well-received by critics and Chingy was a bona fide star for the DTP imprint, however, a dispute over royalties led to Chingy leaving the label later that year. Additionally, Chingy feuded with fellow St. Louisan Nelly during this time, as Chingy felt that Nelly was threatened by his success and Nelly felt that Chingy didn't demonstrate gratitude to Nelly for helping to pave the way for his career and for taking him on his first national tour. The two traded shots on several tracks, but eventually Nelly's cousin and Chingy's former babysitter MJ mediated the feud between the two men.

In 2004, Chingy released his sophomore album Powerballin' through his own label, Slot-a-Lot Records, and another Capitol distribution deal. The album was again successful, spawning the singles "Balla Baby" (and its remix with Boozie and Lil Flip) and "Don't Worry" featuring Janet Jackson, again achieving a Billboard Top 10 position and platinum RIAA certification despite a slower start on the charts. He released his third album Hoodstar in 2006 and achieved another top ten single on Billboard with "Pullin' Me Back" featuring Tyrese, although follow-up singles struggled and the album barely managed to go gold.

Attributing the commercial disappointment of Hoodstar to a marketing failure on Capitol's behalf, Chingy returned to DTP, now fully a Def Jam subsidiary. However, by this point, St. Louis's rap scene had begun to lose its novelty status with the public, as even Nelly's album sales were beginning to decline, and Chingy's fourth studio album, Hate It or Love It, failed commercially, peaking at #84 on Billboard and selling only 30,000 copies. Chingy departed DTP again after this, citing lack of promotion of the album's singles as reason for its failure and his departure.

Chingy has struggled to get a commercial foothold in the years since his most recent departure from DTP, and his output has dwindled since then, releasing only a retail mixtape titled Success & Failure in 2010 and various EPs and mixtapes under his own label, now known as Full Dekk Music Group, with his most recent release crediting him by the longer name "Chingy Jackpot." In 2014, Chingy claimed in an interview with DJ Vlad of VladTV that false rumors of a relationship with transgender model Sidney Starr cost him future deals with major labels. Starr acknowledges spreading the false rumor after meeting Chingy and taking a photo with him, but denies that the rumor caused the damage to his career that he claims. In early 2016, Chingy seemingly endorsed Donald Trump, then-Republican candidate for President of the United States, causing controversy for himself. He has since walked back his comments after he says he became more informed about Trump's political stances.

As of 2018, he is working on an album titled Dead Rose.

Solo Discography
Jackpot, 2003
Powerballin', 2004
Hoodstar, 2006
Hate It or Love It, 2007
Global Warming (mixtape), 2009
Fresh Thug Volume One (mixtape), 2009
1st Quarter (mixtape), 2009
Stars & Straps Reloaded Vol. 1 (mixtape), 2009
The Mixtape (mixtape), 2009
Success & Failure, 2010
Jackpot Back (mixtape), 2012
Chances Make Champions (mixtape), 2012
Chingology: 9 Year Theory (EP), 2013

SINGLES (NOT AVAILABLE ON ALBUMS)

  • Down Thru Durr (2010)
  • Paperman (2011)
  • Let It Go (2012)

CHARTING SINGLES
  • "Right Thurr" (Jackpot, 2003) #2 Billboard, #2 R&B, #1 Rap
  • "Holidae In" feat. Ludacris and Snoop Dogg (Jackpot, 2003) #3 Billboard, #2 R&B, #2 Rap
  • "One Call Away" feat. Jason Weaver (Jackpot, 2003) #2 Billboard, #3 R&B, #1 Rap
  • "Balla Baby" (Powerballin', 2004) #20 Billboard, #7 Rap
  • "Pullin' Me Back" feat. Tyrese (Hoodstar, 2006) #9 Billboard, #1 R&B, #1 Rap


GUEST APPEARANCES

  • 2003
  • "Excuse Me Baby," Heat feat. Chingy (single)
  • "We Got", Ludacris feat. 2 Chainz, Chingy, and I-20 (Chicken n Beer)
  • "Overload," Murphy Lee feat. Chingy, King Jacob, Pee, and Wally (Da Skool Boy: Booleg Vol. 1)
  • "Hot & Wet (Remix)," 112 feat. Chingy and Ludacris (Hot & Wet)
    2004
  • "I Like That," Houston feat. Chingy, I-20, and Nate Dogg (It's Already Written)
  • "Fightin' In the Club," I-20 feat. 2 Chainz, Chingy, and Lil Fate (Self Explanatory)
  • "Still Tipsy," J-Kwon feat. Chingy and Murphy Lee (single)
  • "Circus Music," Suga Free feat. Chingy (The New Testament: The Truth)
  • "Can't Stop, Won't Stop (Remix)," Young Gunz feat. Chingy (Tough Luv)
  • "Hot & Wet," Ghostface feat. 112, Chingy, and Ludacris (The Rain)
    2005
  • "Static," Craig David feat. Chingy (single)
  • "Get Down," DJ Quik feat. Chingy (Trauma)
  • "Loked Out Hood," DJ Quik feat. Chingy (The Trauma Mixtape)
  • "My Lowrider," Game feat. Chingy, E-40, Ice Cube, Kxng Crooked, Lil Rob, Paul Wall, Techniec, and W.C. (Stop Snitchin' Stop Lyin')
  • "Ride Out," Mack 10 feat. Chingy (Hustla's Handbook)
  • "Country Boy Remix," Tyra B feat. Chingy and Trillville (Get No Ooh Wee)
    2006
  • "Do It To It (Rap Remix)," Cherish feat. Chingy, Fabo, Jazze Pha, Jody Breeze, and Yung Joc (single)
  • "Dat Girl (Remix)," DJ Smallz & Rick Ross feat. Chingy, Murphy Lee, and Potzee (Southern Smoke 28: Miami Heat)
  • "Pulling Me Back," Tyrese feat. Chingy (Best of Both Hoods Vol. 1)
    2007
  • "My Drink n My 2 Step (Remix)," Cassidy feat. Chingy, Jermaine Dupri, and Swizz Beatz (single)
  • "Get Low Pt. 2," DJ L & DJ Suss One feat. Chingy and Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz (Crunk Time)
  • "Pullin' Me Back," Jermaine Dupri feat. Chingy and Tyrese (Y'all Know What This Is... the Hits)
  • "St. Louis Niggaz," Jim Tonic feat. Chingy, Fresco Kane, Godsilla, and Huey (Es Gibt Kein Battle!!!)
  • "Celebrity Chick," Ludacris feat. Chingy, Small World, and Steph Jones (single)
    2008
  • "Let's Ride," Fatman Scoop feat. Chingy (Hottest)
  • "Get Down," Fixxers feat. Chingy (Street Masterpiece)
    2009
  • "Donk Dat Remix," Yung-Ro feat. Chingy and City Spud (single)
    2010
  • "Bedrock (Remix)," 3G feat. Chingy, Kyjuan, and Laudie (single)
  • "I Want It," Poppa Leezy feat. Chingy and Chocolate Tai (The Champ Iz Herr)
  • "My City Serious Remix," Poppa Leezy feat. Chingy, Fresco Kane, and Phat Pheezy (So St. Louis)
  • "2 Sides," City Spud feat. Chingy and Nelly (Twelve-12: "Some Mixtape Shit")
  • "Look At Her Go (Remix)," Fresco Kane feat. Chingy, Jibbs, and Murphy Lee (single)
  • "I'm Cool (Remix)," MC feat. Chingy, Ebony Eyez, and Twista (Grey Goose, Headphones & Thirsty Women)
  • "Freestyle," MC feat. Chingy (Grey Goose, Headphones & Thirsty Women)
  • "Coolest Ever," MC feat. Chingy, Kyjuan, and Murphy Lee (Grey Goose, Headphones & Thirsty Women)
  • "Money Ain't a Thang," Mr. Skip feat. Chingy (My Business Card Vol. 1 & 2)
    2011
  • "Drumma," Aye Verb feat. Chingy, Jibbs, and Murphy Lee (Takin Out the Garbage)
  • "Beat Like a Drumma," Jibbs feat Aye Verb, Chingy, and Murphy Lee (Round Two)
  • "Do Ya Own (Remix)," Luey V feat. Chingy, Fresco Kane, and Murphy Lee (Underrated & Overhated)
  • "Big Ass Chain," Luey V feat. Chingy (Underrated & Overhated)
  • "Paper Man," P-Money feat. Chingy (It's All Good)
  • "Turkey Hamm (Remix)," Zeus Rebel Waters feat. Chingy and Luey V (Gunz & Rosez)
    2012
  • "Supawoman," Chris Woodhouse feat. Chingy (single)
  • "Model," Dutch Jackson feat. Chingy, Fresco Kane, and Murphy Lee (single)
    2013
  • "Throw It," Chalie Yung feat. Chingy (Chalie Yung)
    2015
  • "Fast & Furious Flow," iRome feat. Chingy and Chloe Riley (single)
    2016
  • "Do What You Want," MC feat. Chingy (Bachelor Party)
  • "iFeelikeastar," MC feat. Chingy (Bachelor Party)
  • "Get Down," Solberjum feat. Chingy (single)
    2017
  • "She Want It," 10yrwar feat. Chingy (single)
  • "2 da Side," Jay E feat. Chingy and Nelly (single)
  • "Million," Muxy x Demo Gubbz feat. Chingy and Fortafy (single)
  • "Him," Omega Crosby feat. Chingy (Him)
  • "Batteries," Tarantino feat. Chingy (single)
    2018
  • "Only 4 da Strip Club," Ying Yang Twins feat. Caliclas and Chingy (single)
COMPILATION APPEARANCES
  • "Shorty (Put It On the Floor)," Busta Rhymes, Chingy, Fat Joe, and Nick Cannon (Love Don't Cost a Thing, 2003)
  • "Fallen (Zone 4 Remix)," Chingy and Mya (Barbershop 2: Back In Business, 2004)
  • "Professional," Chingy (Coach Carter, 2005)
  • "Money Disease," Chingy (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "Still," Chingy (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "On the Grind," Chingy, Lil Bit, and Mr. 915 (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "All Year Round," Chingy, M.C., and Vega Heartbreak (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "Water To Her Fire," Chingy and Soulo (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "Hello," Chingy and Soulo (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
  • "Damn Girl," Chingy (Full Dekk Fullosiphy, 2014)
JACKPOT
Released: July 15, 2003
Label: Capitol Records, Disturbing tha Peace

TRACK LIST
1. Jackpot Intro
2. He's Herre
3. Represent (feat. 2 Chainz and I-20)
4. Right Thurr
5. Jackpot the Pimp (Skit)
6. Wurr's My Cash
7. Chingy Jackpot
8. Sample Dat Ass (feat. Murphy Lee)
9. One Call Away (feat. Jason Weaver)
10. Dice Game (Skit)
11. Gettin' It
12. Holidae In (feat. Ludacris and Snoop Dogg)
13. Juice
14. Fuck That Nigga (Skit)
15. Madd At Me
16. Bagg Up
17. Right Thurr (Remix) (feat. Jermaine Dupri and Trina)
18. Mob Wit Me

POWERBALLIN'
Released: November 16, 2004
Label: Slot-a-Lot, Capitol Records, Disturbing tha Peace

TRACK LIST
1. Haters 101 (Intro)
2. Give 'Em Some Mo
3. Fall-n (feat. G.I.B.)
4. Balla Baby
5. Jackpot the Pimp (Part 2 Skit)
6. Leave Wit Me (feat. R. Kelly and Ziggy)
7. Make That Ass Talk (feat. Ziggy)
8. I Do
9. Don't Worry (feat. Janet Jackson)
10. All the Way To St. Lou (feat. David Banner and Nate Dogg)
11. 26's (feat. Lil Wayne)
12. We Clubbin'
13. We Do (feat. Bun B)
14. Wurr da Git It Gurlz At? (feat. G.I.B.)
15. Bring da Beef (feat. G.I.B.)
16. Outro
17. Balla Baby (Remix) (feat. Boozie and Lil Flip)

HOODSTAR
Released: September 19, 2006
Label: Disturbing tha Peace

TRACK LIST
1. Intro (Ridin' Wit Me)
2. Hands Up
3. Club Gettin' Crowded (feat. Da Mafia 6ix)
4. Nike Aurr's & Crispy Tees
5. Bounce That
6. Cadillac Door (feat. Midwest City)
7. Dem Jeans (feat. Jermaine Dupri)
8. Pullin' Me Back (feat. Tyrese)
9. U a Freak (Nasty Girl) (feat. Kanary Diamonds)
10. Brand New Kicks (feat. Mannie Fresh)
11. Ass N da Aurr (feat. Spiffy)
12. Let Me Luv U (feat. Keri Hilson)
13. Let's Ride (feat. Fatman Scoop)
14. How We Roll (feat. Chopper Young City)
15. All We Do Is This

HATE IT OR LOVE IT
Released: December 18, 2007
Label: Slot-a-Lot, Disturbing tha Peace, Def Jam

TRACK LIST
1. Hate It or Love It (Intro Skit)
2. Hate It or Love It Pt. 2 (Chapter 2)
3. Check My Swag
4. Fly Like Me (feat. Amerie)
5. Kick Drum
6. Gimme Dat (feat. Bobby V. and Ludacris)
7. All Aboard (Ride It) (feat. Steph Jones)
8. Trickin' Off (Skit)
9. Spend Some $ (feat. Trey Songz)
10. 2 Kool 2 Dance
11. Lovely Ladies
12. How We Feel (feat. Anthony Hamilton)
13. Roll On 'Em (feat. Rick Ross)
14. Block Star
15. Ain't No Way (Skit)
16. Remember When (feat. Bobby V.)

GLOBAL WARMING
Released: January 12, 2009
Label: World Star Hip Hop

TRACK LIST
1. Intro
2. Pussy Nigga (feat. H.B. Monte)
3. Hatin' On Myself
4. Turn It Up (feat. Soulja Boy)
5. Look At Her Go
6. Money Motivation
7. Interlude
8. Balla (feat. Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy)
9. Ain't No Way
10. Porn Star
11. Get Up (Freestyle)
12. Life of da Party
13. Stand Tall
14. Git Doe
15. Another One
16. Outro

FRESH THUG VOLUME ONE
Released: January 24, 2009
Label: Slot-a-Lot Records

TRACK LIST
1. Intro
2. Git Up
3. Life of da Party
4. Paper Planes
5. Look At Her Go (feat. Fresco Kane)
6. Money Motivation
7. Fresh Thug
8. Anotha One
9. Turn It Up (feat. Soulja Boy)
10. Git Silly
11. Ride At Night
12. Haten On My Self
13. Marco Polo (feat. M.C.)
14. Whatchu Want (Pussy Nigga) (feat. H.B. Monte)
15. Interlude
16. Babymomma Bullshit
17. Mad 'Cause Yo Hoe Gone Choose
18. So Fly (feat. Slim)
19. Can't Believe It
20. Porno Star
21. Outro
22. Pop Bottles (feat. Sun-E)

1ST QUARTER
Released: May 12, 2009

TRACK LIST
1. Pussy Nigga
2. Hatin' On Myself
3. Look At Her Go
4. Money Motivation
5. Balla (feat. Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy)
6. Spend Some Money (feat. Trey Songz)
7. Ain't No Way
8. Porn Star
9. Stand Tall
10. Git Doe
11. Another One
12. Lovely Ladies
13. 2 Kool 2 Dance
14. Outro

STARS & STRAPS RELOADED VOL. 1
Released: July 24, 2009

TRACK LIST
1. Intro
2. She Twerk It
3. Didn't I (feat. Mgang, Niddy, Pistol, and Spiffy)
4. Interlude #1
5. On Dey Head (feat. Lil Bit, Meechi, Rich Money, Spiffy, and YG)
6. Eurrgurl (feat. Lil Bit, Rich Money, and Spiffy)
7. Ignorant
8. Interlude #2
9. Magazine (feat. B Woo, Damo, and Pistol)
10. Flag Hang
11. N da Hood
12. Interlude #3
13. My Pohtna
14. Mz. Keri
15. Wurr Dey Do Dat At
16. Merkamuthafucka (feat. Kenny Knox)
17. Wanna B Free
18. Fresh (performed by Fresh Thugs)
19. Outro

THE MIXTAPE
Released: November 10, 2009

TRACK LIST
1. 2 Kool 2 Dance
2. 'Cause I'm a Git It Boy
3. Hatin' On Myself
4. Get Your Swag Up
5. Look At Her Go
6. Money Motivation
7. Lovely Ladies
8. Pussy Nigga
9. Ain't No Way
10. Porn Star
11. She Say She Got a Man
12. What's Up
13. Stand Tall
14. Git Doe
15. Another One

SUCCESS & FAILURE
Released: September 7, 2010
Label: Real Talk Entertainment

TRACK LIST
1. The Haters
2. Iced Out (feat. 8Ball)
3. Thurr Dey Go
4. Ya Hear Me
5. Git It Boy
6. All I Know
7. Drop a Dime
8. Feelin' Like a Million
9. Anythang (feat. Lil Flip)
10. Money Brought Me Back
11. Diamonds
12. Set It Out
13. Take Me
14. How It Goes

JACKPOT BACK
Released: March 6, 2012
Label: Full Dekk Music Group

TRACK LIST
1. Jackpot Back
2. Muthafucka
3. We N Hurr
4. Good Up (feat. J Jus, Niddy, and Samo)
5. I Am (feat. Lil Bit, Niddy, Rich Money, and Shaun Li)
6. Go
7. 'Bout My Paper
8. Bitch I'm Rolling
9. Swagg On It
10. Pop That
11. Do It With Yo Face (feat. Hakeem da Dream)
12. Love No Hoes
13. She Don't Know
14. All Night
15. Stay N da Aurr (feat. M.C.)
16. Let It Go
17. Outro
18. Wurr You From (performed by Kodakk and Mr. Mr.)

CHANCES MAKE CHAMPIONS
Released: October 13, 2012
Label: Full Dekk Music Group

TRACK LIST
1. Intro
2. Go Dumb (feat. Lil Bit)
3. Club Nights
4. Yangin'
5. Fire
6. Stop the Violence (Interlude)
7. Fresh Thug
8. 4 a Real Niguh (feat. Bred Gang)
9. They Ain't 'Bout Nuttin'
10. By Far
11. Still Gittin' It
12. Lil Momma
13. Relationship 101 (Interlude)
14. Keeper (feat. Chris Woodhouse)
15. I'm Hurr (feat. Ms. Kriss and Solo)
16. Wanna Go (feat. Brad Young)
17. You and Me

CHINGOLOGY: 9 YEAR THEORY
Released: June 20, 2013
Label: Full Dekk Music Group

TRACK LIST
1. King Judah
2. That's What's Up
3. Falling (feat. L. Frost)
4. She Official
5. Stuck In My Ways
6. Hello






For Chingy's work with Without Warning, see the page for that group.

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