Chingy

Howard Earl Bailey JR.

(born March 9, 1980), known professionally as Chingy, is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri.

He toured as an opening act with fellow St. Louis rapper Nelly in 2002, and signed with Georgia rapper Ludacris' record label, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) that same year.

Released in a joint-venture with Capitol Records, his 2003 debut single, "Right Thurr" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chingy specialized in catchy, club-friendly beats and simplistic lyrics delivered in a sing-song, nursery rhyme style.

The song preceded the release of his debut studio album Jackpot (2003), which saw mixed reception and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

Chingy's debut album Jackpot was released on July 15, 2003, on Disturbing tha Peace.

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, Raindrop, Tity Boi of Playaz Circle, Trina, and Jermaine Dupri.

Fueled by "Right Thurr", Jackpot produced the hit "One Call Away" featuring J-Weav and "Holidae In" featuring Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.

The album was produced by St. Louis production crew The Trak Starz.

The album was received well by critics.

Within a year of the release of Jackpot, It was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

The up-tempo Southern hip hop track "Right Thurr" gained popularity, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

His second album, Powerballin' (2004) peaked at number ten while his third album, Hoodstar (2006) peaked at number nine and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Pullin' Me Back" (featuring Tyrese Gibson).

Chingy released his second album, Powerballin', on November 16, 2004, through Slot-A-Lot Records and Capitol Records.

The album peaked at #10 on the charts and featured the hit single "Balla Baby."

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.

The eighth song from his album "I Do" is featured on the soundtrack for the smash hit 2004 video game Need for Speed: Underground 2.

Powerballin' sold over one million copies and received a Platinum certification by the RIAA on March 21, 2005.

He also was on one of the George Lopez episodes as himself.

Hoodstar is Chingy's third album, released on September 19, 2006.

The album featured Mr. Collipark, longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, and Mannie Fresh.

His summer single, "Pullin Me Back" (featuring actor-R&B singer Tyrese), would find him back on top on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and help Hoodstar debut at number eight on the album chart, but the follow-up single "Dem Jeans", featuring Jermaine Dupri, fared worse although the album did go gold.

Other singles from Hoodstar were "Brand New Kicks" and "Hands Up".

His fourth album, Hate It or Love It (2007) saw trailing commercial response and was preceded by the lead single "Fly Like Me" (featuring Amerie).

Unhappy with the way he felt Capitol was promoting their urban artists, in 2007 Chingy jumped ship and returned to DTP Records, which was by-then a part of the Def Jam family.

When asked about the move, the St. Louis rapper said: "I don't think Capitol really knew how to work urban artists, They're really stuck on pop and they didn't know how to market me."

Hate It or Love It is Chingy's fourth studio album.

The album featured production from Scott Storch, Timbaland, and Cool and Dre.

His fifth album, Success & Failure (2010) failed to chart.

Chingy grew up in Walnut Park, St. Louis; he has referred to the neighborhood as the "Bad Blocks."

He began writing lyrics when he was 9 and was recording raps at 10.

He was originally known as H Thugz and was in the St. Louis group Without Warning on 49 Productions with M.G.D. & Mysphit.

They recorded "What's Poppin Off" together, which became a local hit.

H Thugz and Augustin also recorded a music video for the song.

H Thugz later chose the alias Chingy, a slang term for money.

Chingy attended McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri which is a suburb of St. Louis.

During high school, he was known to his friends as "Howie," and he continues to prefer that name from close friends and family.

Ludacris and his manager, Chaka Zulu, were quick to sign Chingy to their fledgling Disturbing Tha Peace label.