St. Louis rapper, Chingy broke through in 2003 with his debut album, the triple platinum “Jackpot.” Anchored by smash single "Right Thurr," the acclaimed collection also included two other hits: "Holidae In" (with Snoop Dogg and Ludacris) and "One Call Away."
Chingy builds off his strong foundation with “PowerBallin'”, his second stellar album. Recorded primarily in Chingy's home studio, the high-energy collection features top-tier production from The Trak Starz and David Banner, as well as up-and-coming beatmakers Keith McMasters, Vudu and The Beatstaz.
This is your 2nd album, which album was more challenging to make?
Probably Powerballin’, considering I was on the road and doing different things while trying to make that album. On Jackpot I was just in one place…I was in St. Louis and in a little apartment…(laughs) I mean it...we really made the whole album in an apartment in the ‘Loo. That was gravy compared to Powerballlin’ since I was moving so much and on the road after Jackpot blew up.
So after all the work…any surprises on this album?
The only surprises that fans can probably expect on this album is the features. We got R. Kelly, Janet Jackson, Nate Dogg, David Banner, Lil’ Flip, Lil Wayne, the Git It Boyz. I guess you can call that surprises… because all of them are handlin’ theirs.
Since your success, how has it been going back home to the ‘hood?
It’s love; it’s home and where I grew up in. You know, I know everybody in the neighborhood, so I go back there and still get love. It’s a little more different, because you know, they’re excited when you come around, and everybody starts floodin’ the block. But, it’s all love though. I love going back over there.
What’s it really like to be considered a “star”?
Cool… real cool. Especially when people give you that positive energy and feedback. When they come speak to you, and, see how you’re doing and stuff, they give you that positive energy. It makes you happy. It makes you want to keep doing what you do.
I heard that you changed the name of the album from “Soul to St. Louis” to “Powerballin’”. Why the title change?
Well I didn’t make up “Soul to St. Louis”, and I didn’t really want it to be called that anyway. So I thought, coming from “Jackpot” to work with the lottery and gambling theme and I thought “Powerballin’” would be the next closest thing to make what I’m trying to do big. So, “Powerballin’” was a better title. “Soul to St. Louis” was a cool title, but it wasn’t what I was looking for.
What about video shoots? What do you like best about the process?
I like the idea that I can be creative and interject my own ideas… li/ke in the “Balla Baby” video… The owl, the owl that was in it, that was my idea. The owl that was in it, I liked it, the white owl. It was a beautiful owl, and when I was doing the “Oooh, oooh”, it was supposed to have been the owl saying it. So it was cool. The owl’s my favorite part of that particular video.
What’s the next single from the album?
Next single would be “Make That Thing Talk For Me”. It’s just about, like… Say you see a fine woman walking down the block, she has a nice ass, and it’s pretty jiggly (laughs) and it shakes (laughs) and it looks like it’s talking to you when she’s walking. So make that thing talk for me.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I grew up in a household with my mama and daddy listening to The Temptations… so Temptations, The Isley Brothers, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Rakim, Eric B, NWA, Ice Cube, DJ Quick… people like that are some of my inspirations.
Why did you choose to work with newer talent?
Because you always give upcoming producers a chance to shine. They’re trying to get in the same positions, and they make just as good of music, if not better. So, you always just need to get those up and coming producers a little shine because they do a good job at what they do too.
What was it like to work with Janet Jackson, R. Kelly, etc?
I mean it’s cool, you know. I know Lil’ Wayne, Lil Wayne’s a real good friend and partna... I met R. Kelly a couple times, I met Janet a couple times. It’s a good thing, because, coming from where I come from I used to see them on TV, doing what they do, and be looking from a consumer’s point. So now that I’m actually doing it and can be able to meet those people and to interact with them, it’s cool, you know. They’re just like me…Cool. (laughs)
Are there any sleeper tracks on the album?
All the tracks on the Powerballin’ album are crazy, but I would say it’s probably gonna be the song called “Don’t Really Care,” the song called “I Do,” the song called, “Give Em Some Mo”, and the track “We Do”, people will listen to them and nod their heads and these cuts will hook them… There’s a couple songs on there, you know. But I think they’re gonna like all the album.
You said in our interview a year ago, “Everything I used to dream about is happening.” Any new dreams yet?
Hell yeah…I’m starting my record company… I’m doing that now, I’m in the position of getting that done. “Slot-A-Lot Records”…(laughs) can’t get away from the getting paper titles. And I’m looking to put others with talent on also…you know my homeboys, the Git It Boyz, my little sista Ziggy… I got a couple things we’re working on. That’s my label right now…that’s probably the biggest dream that I wanted to accomplish…it’s slowly but surely coming true.
What's the message you want to get out to the world?
VOTE! (laughs) Well you did that, but, you know, just try to make things right. I mean, I want peace in the world. There’s probably never going to be world peace, but world peace wouldn’t hurt. And just keep negative out of your life. Always keep it positive. If you got any goals, any big dreams you’re trying to accomplish, work hard at them and you shall accomplish them. And always look out for your boy Chingy and support your boy Chingy, ya dig, cause I’m-a hold it down for you. You know, that’s it. (laughs). And get my album too!
What can we expect on the DVD portion of the limited edition album?
I’m basically taking you around my neighborhood, letting you holler at my folks, my mom and my aunties, uncles, cousins, and they’re just telling you little stuff about me…(laughs) Not too much though. You know people talking about how I was when I was young, or whatever. And you’re just meeting a lot of my family. And you know, in the studio with me, vibing with me and the Git It Boyz, Trak Starz. Just having fun with me on the DVD, and giving you a little insight on my day-to-day life.
Will you be dropping a mixtape?
Yeah, well me and the Git It Boyz, we’re going to drop this mixtape. Its just for the Git It Boyz to be heard, let people know the music we be comin with…just some hardcore street mentality, real life reality music, you know what I’m sayin. Just expect it to be street.
2004 was off the chain for Hip Hop.What got play in your ride during 2004?
That’s a good one…Favorite albums of 2004, huh? Twista, definitely…of course my album “Powerballin’”, Jay-Z’s the “Black Album” is a nice album… I liked plenty of albums. Juve, definitely Juvenile. That’s all I can think of right now.
Other than the record label…any other business venture that we can expect from you? A clothing line maybe?
I’m still thinking about that. You know, that’s a different ball game, so I’m gonna take that slow until I find the right people. I still got that in mind, but I’m gonna take that slow.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
Still working (laughs)… I like being in the studio, creating more music. Me and the Git It Boyz, just creating more music. I’m working on my 3rd album now.
Any chance for collabs or features with other St. Louis artists?
I did a song with Murphy Lee that was on the Jackpot album. But you know, we’re gonna hook up again and get some more stuff crackin, hopefully. You know, it’s all good with me.
Who handle the production and boards on the album?
The Beatstaz, Trak Starz, Vudu, David Banner did a track on the album too, and I also did a beat on the album…the last song.
Are you going to appear on anybody else’s album in the future?
I’m gonna be on the Lil’ Wayne new album, still working on that, still working on that. Cause I ain’t really did nothing with a lot of people… We been talking about it, so eventually we gonna get that done, but definitely Lil’ Wayne’s new album.
Any last words?
Get the “Powerballin’”album! Look out for the Git It Boyzcoming next year, And just, thanks for the support, and be cool. (laughs).
Chingy builds off his strong foundation with “PowerBallin'”, his second stellar album. Recorded primarily in Chingy's home studio, the high-energy collection features top-tier production from The Trak Starz and David Banner, as well as up-and-coming beatmakers Keith McMasters, Vudu and The Beatstaz.
This is your 2nd album, which album was more challenging to make?
Probably Powerballin’, considering I was on the road and doing different things while trying to make that album. On Jackpot I was just in one place…I was in St. Louis and in a little apartment…(laughs) I mean it...we really made the whole album in an apartment in the ‘Loo. That was gravy compared to Powerballlin’ since I was moving so much and on the road after Jackpot blew up.
So after all the work…any surprises on this album?
The only surprises that fans can probably expect on this album is the features. We got R. Kelly, Janet Jackson, Nate Dogg, David Banner, Lil’ Flip, Lil Wayne, the Git It Boyz. I guess you can call that surprises… because all of them are handlin’ theirs.
Since your success, how has it been going back home to the ‘hood?
It’s love; it’s home and where I grew up in. You know, I know everybody in the neighborhood, so I go back there and still get love. It’s a little more different, because you know, they’re excited when you come around, and everybody starts floodin’ the block. But, it’s all love though. I love going back over there.
What’s it really like to be considered a “star”?
Cool… real cool. Especially when people give you that positive energy and feedback. When they come speak to you, and, see how you’re doing and stuff, they give you that positive energy. It makes you happy. It makes you want to keep doing what you do.
I heard that you changed the name of the album from “Soul to St. Louis” to “Powerballin’”. Why the title change?
Well I didn’t make up “Soul to St. Louis”, and I didn’t really want it to be called that anyway. So I thought, coming from “Jackpot” to work with the lottery and gambling theme and I thought “Powerballin’” would be the next closest thing to make what I’m trying to do big. So, “Powerballin’” was a better title. “Soul to St. Louis” was a cool title, but it wasn’t what I was looking for.
What about video shoots? What do you like best about the process?
I like the idea that I can be creative and interject my own ideas… li/ke in the “Balla Baby” video… The owl, the owl that was in it, that was my idea. The owl that was in it, I liked it, the white owl. It was a beautiful owl, and when I was doing the “Oooh, oooh”, it was supposed to have been the owl saying it. So it was cool. The owl’s my favorite part of that particular video.
What’s the next single from the album?
Next single would be “Make That Thing Talk For Me”. It’s just about, like… Say you see a fine woman walking down the block, she has a nice ass, and it’s pretty jiggly (laughs) and it shakes (laughs) and it looks like it’s talking to you when she’s walking. So make that thing talk for me.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I grew up in a household with my mama and daddy listening to The Temptations… so Temptations, The Isley Brothers, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Rakim, Eric B, NWA, Ice Cube, DJ Quick… people like that are some of my inspirations.
Why did you choose to work with newer talent?
Because you always give upcoming producers a chance to shine. They’re trying to get in the same positions, and they make just as good of music, if not better. So, you always just need to get those up and coming producers a little shine because they do a good job at what they do too.
What was it like to work with Janet Jackson, R. Kelly, etc?
I mean it’s cool, you know. I know Lil’ Wayne, Lil Wayne’s a real good friend and partna... I met R. Kelly a couple times, I met Janet a couple times. It’s a good thing, because, coming from where I come from I used to see them on TV, doing what they do, and be looking from a consumer’s point. So now that I’m actually doing it and can be able to meet those people and to interact with them, it’s cool, you know. They’re just like me…Cool. (laughs)
Are there any sleeper tracks on the album?
All the tracks on the Powerballin’ album are crazy, but I would say it’s probably gonna be the song called “Don’t Really Care,” the song called “I Do,” the song called, “Give Em Some Mo”, and the track “We Do”, people will listen to them and nod their heads and these cuts will hook them… There’s a couple songs on there, you know. But I think they’re gonna like all the album.
You said in our interview a year ago, “Everything I used to dream about is happening.” Any new dreams yet?
Hell yeah…I’m starting my record company… I’m doing that now, I’m in the position of getting that done. “Slot-A-Lot Records”…(laughs) can’t get away from the getting paper titles. And I’m looking to put others with talent on also…you know my homeboys, the Git It Boyz, my little sista Ziggy… I got a couple things we’re working on. That’s my label right now…that’s probably the biggest dream that I wanted to accomplish…it’s slowly but surely coming true.
What's the message you want to get out to the world?
VOTE! (laughs) Well you did that, but, you know, just try to make things right. I mean, I want peace in the world. There’s probably never going to be world peace, but world peace wouldn’t hurt. And just keep negative out of your life. Always keep it positive. If you got any goals, any big dreams you’re trying to accomplish, work hard at them and you shall accomplish them. And always look out for your boy Chingy and support your boy Chingy, ya dig, cause I’m-a hold it down for you. You know, that’s it. (laughs). And get my album too!
What can we expect on the DVD portion of the limited edition album?
I’m basically taking you around my neighborhood, letting you holler at my folks, my mom and my aunties, uncles, cousins, and they’re just telling you little stuff about me…(laughs) Not too much though. You know people talking about how I was when I was young, or whatever. And you’re just meeting a lot of my family. And you know, in the studio with me, vibing with me and the Git It Boyz, Trak Starz. Just having fun with me on the DVD, and giving you a little insight on my day-to-day life.
Will you be dropping a mixtape?
Yeah, well me and the Git It Boyz, we’re going to drop this mixtape. Its just for the Git It Boyz to be heard, let people know the music we be comin with…just some hardcore street mentality, real life reality music, you know what I’m sayin. Just expect it to be street.
2004 was off the chain for Hip Hop.What got play in your ride during 2004?
That’s a good one…Favorite albums of 2004, huh? Twista, definitely…of course my album “Powerballin’”, Jay-Z’s the “Black Album” is a nice album… I liked plenty of albums. Juve, definitely Juvenile. That’s all I can think of right now.
Other than the record label…any other business venture that we can expect from you? A clothing line maybe?
I’m still thinking about that. You know, that’s a different ball game, so I’m gonna take that slow until I find the right people. I still got that in mind, but I’m gonna take that slow.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
Still working (laughs)… I like being in the studio, creating more music. Me and the Git It Boyz, just creating more music. I’m working on my 3rd album now.
Any chance for collabs or features with other St. Louis artists?
I did a song with Murphy Lee that was on the Jackpot album. But you know, we’re gonna hook up again and get some more stuff crackin, hopefully. You know, it’s all good with me.
Who handle the production and boards on the album?
The Beatstaz, Trak Starz, Vudu, David Banner did a track on the album too, and I also did a beat on the album…the last song.
Are you going to appear on anybody else’s album in the future?
I’m gonna be on the Lil’ Wayne new album, still working on that, still working on that. Cause I ain’t really did nothing with a lot of people… We been talking about it, so eventually we gonna get that done, but definitely Lil’ Wayne’s new album.
Any last words?
Get the “Powerballin’”album! Look out for the Git It Boyzcoming next year, And just, thanks for the support, and be cool. (laughs).
