Name	Lil' Flip
Landscape	no
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Wesley Eric Weston, Jr.
Alias	Flip, Flip Gates, The Clover G
Born	March 03, 1981
Origin	Cloverland, Houston, Texas, United States
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	1998–present
Label	Suckafree (President) (2000-2004) Loud(2002-2003) Columbia (2002-2004) Warner Bros. (2004-2005) Clover G (CEO) (2006-present) Asylum(2007-2008) Real Talk Ent. (2008-Present) Hi-Powered (2009-2010) E1 Music (2009-2010)
Associated acts	Gudda Gudda, Screwed Up Click, DJ Screw, Chamillionare, Bun B, Z-Ro, Jim Jones, Three 6 Mafia, David Banner, Chingy, Mr. Capone-E, Lil' Scrappy, DTP
Url

Wesley Eric Weston, Jr. (born March 3, 1981),

2002-03: Undaground Legend

In 2002 Columbia Records offered Flip a contract and Suckafree a distribution deal. Flip stated "We felt that they not only respected what we'd already accomplished on our own, but they also saw the big picture of what me as an artist, and Hump and I as Suckafree's CEOs were all about." Lil Flip released his debut studio album Undaground Legend on August 27, 2002. The album was certified Platinum in December 2002. It contained his hit single "The Way We Ball". In 2003 Lil' Flip was also featured in David Banner single "Like A Pimp". Then he also made featured appearance on Yung Wun's charting single "Tear It Up". He also made another appearance on Three 6 Mafia single "Ridin' Spinners" that made the charts. In 2003, he also did a track with Ludacris called "Screwed Up". Also in 2009 Lil' Flip released his second independent album entitled Underground Legend 2 which was the sequel to his first studio album Undaground Legend. Flip also in 2009 made a collaboration album with Young Money's own Gudda Gudda the album was entitled Certified. In 2010 Lil' Flip released his third independent album Ahead of My Time which was supposed to be his fifth studio album but did not get any promotion from E1 Music.an altercation with rapper T.I. occurred in Lil' Flip's neighborhood, the Cloverland section of Houston. It has been said that T.I. reasons for visiting the neighborhood was to create a DVD to expose Lil' Flip to be a fraud. When T.I. arrived with his entourage, he was met by Flip and his respective entourage, where it is said a fight broke out when one of the members of Flip's entourage began swinging at T.I., which resulted in one of T.I.'s bodyguards to begin shooting. The same day T.I. went on a Houston, Texas radio station and revealed that he had recorded a tape and was going to release it with an upcoming mixtape. James Prince stopped T.I. from distributing any sort of tape and it is unknown whether T.I. still has the tape or not. The feud was squashed by Rap-a-Lot's Prince after having the two sit down and resolve it. The feud was documented by the Houston Press.

Discography

;Studio albums

2002: Undaground Legend

2004: U Gotta Feel Me

2007: I Need Mine

2009: Respect Me

2011: TBA

;Independent albums

2000: The Leprechaun

2009: Underground Legend 2

2010: Ahead of My Time

Filmography

;Films

;Television

References

External links

Official website

Clover G's Official YouTube channel

Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:American shooting survivors Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:Warner Bros. Records artists

Name	Slim Thug
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Stayve Jerome Thomas
Born	September 08, 1980 Houston, Texas
Genre	Hip hop Gangsta rap
Height	6'6
Years active	1998–present
Label	Swishahouse, Boss Hogg Outlawz, Interscope, E1
Associated acts	Bun B, Chalie Boy, Chamillionaire, Dice, Z-RO, Yelawolf, Mike Jones, T.I., Pharrell, Gwen Stefani
Url	www.immahogg.com

Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980), better known as Slim Thug, BossHogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'".

Early life

Thomas grew up in Houston's Northside neighborhood of Homestead/Scenic Woods. Slim says that his rap name come from the fact that as a teenager, he was very tall and skinny before he filled out. He stands 6'6" tall. The Thug part comes from people's assumptions of him due to his fresh braids and sunglasses. At age 17, he performed freestyle raps at local high school parties. He began his rap career with Swishahouse in the late 1990s. After realizing how much money he could make distributing his own mixtapes, he parted ways with Swishahouse on good terms and formed his own independent label, Boss Hogg Outlawz. Thomas bought two record stores and worked in real estate. Singles included "3 Kings" (featuring T.I. and Bun B), and "I Ain't Heard of That" (featuring Pharrell and Bun B). Slim Thug appeared on Still Tippin' with Mike Jones and Paul Wall, Beyoncé Knowles's #1 single "Check on It" and Gwen Stefani's "Luxurious". With the Boss Hogg Outlawz, Slim Thug released three albums, Boyz N Blue (2004), Serve & Collect (2007) and Back by Blockular Demand: Serve & Collect II (2008). He left Interscope Records in 2008.

Boss of All Bosses (2009)

Slim Thug's second solo album Boss of All Bosses was released in 2009. Although not as successful as his debut album Boss of All Bosses debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200 with 32,000 copies sold in the first week released. It included the single "I Run".

Tha Thug Show (2010-present)

Slim Thug is third studio album Tha Thug Show. His first single was "Gangsta" which featured Z-Ro. His second single featured rapper/singer B.o.B entitled "So High". It was released November 30, 2010.

Other Ventures

Acting career

In October 2009 he appeared on The Daily Show, in a parody discussing the effects of the recession upon wealthy rappers such as himself. The skit was filmed in part at The Lion's Den Recordings in Houston, Texas.

Personal life

Slim Thug dated singer LeToya Luckett until 2006. He claimed the two broke up as a result of his cheating and child with another woman.

According to MTV News, Lupe Fiasco's video for "Hip Hop Saved My Life" was based on Slim Thug's life story. "It is based on Slim Thug," Fiasco revealed. On June 7, 2010, Vibe released controversial statements Slim Thug had made regarding treatment of black men by black and white women saying "it’s hard to find [a successful black man] so Black women have to bow down and let it be known that they gotta start working hard; they gotta start cooking and being down for they man more. ...White women treat they man like a king."

The article stirred many varied reactions from bloggers and online commentators. Cultural critic and Columbia University professor Marc Lamont Hill, singers Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods, and Talib Kweli have all responded publicly to his comments.

Discography

2005: Already Platinum

2009: Boss of All Bosses

2010: Tha Thug Show

References

External links

Category:1980 births Category:1990s rappers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:E1 Music artists

Name	Paul Wall
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Paul Michael Slayton
Born	March 11, 1981
Name	Wall, Paul
Date of birth	1981-03-11
Place of birth	Georgetown Texas

Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:1990s rappers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:American rappers Category:American musicians of European descent Category:Asylum Records artists Category:Jersey Village High School alumni Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:University of Houston alumni

Name	David Banner
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Lavell William Crump
Born	April 11, 1973Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Instrument	Sampler, Keyboards
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, record producer
Years active	1999–present
Label	Big Face, SRC, Universal Records
Associated acts	Crooked Lettaz, Lil Flip, Yung Wun, 9th Wonder
Url	www.david-banner.com

Lavell Crump, (born April 11, 1973), better known by the stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer & occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000 with Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 and signed to Universal Records in 2003. With Universal, Banner released four albums: (2003), (2004), Certified (2005), and The Greatest Story Ever Told (2008).

Early life

Lavell Crump grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Zeno and Carolyn Crump. He attended Northwest Jackson Middle School and Provine High School. He attended the University of Maryland to pursue a master's degree in education but dropped out to pursue his music career. With several of his friends, Banner sent some demo tapes to Jackson radio station WJMI, whose operations manager praised them. Banner released his solo debut album Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1 in 2000. Released under the independent label Big Face Records, the album sold about 7,000 copies.

When the single "Like a Pimp" became a radio hit it attracted significant label interest towards the artist. After assessing the offers, Banner and manager Scott Johnson decided to sign with Universal Records subsidiary SRC Records because the pair were aware of CEO Steve Rifkind's successful history with Loud Records. He released the follow-up album the same year called , yielding "Crank It Up", featuring Static Major. Banner produced T.I.'s 2004 single "Rubberband Man", which reached #30 on the Hot 100, #15 on the R&B; chart, and #11 on the rap chart.

In 2005, he released another album, Certified. Its first single was "Ain't Got Nothing", featuring Magic & Lil Boosie, followed by his second single, "Play", which reached #7 on the Hot 100 chart, #5 on the R&B; chart, and #3 on the rap chart. His first single is "9mm", featuring Akon, Lil Wayne, & Snoop Dogg. Banner produced his next two singles: "Get Like Me", featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc, and "Shawty Say", featuring Lil Wayne. "Get Like Me" reached #16 on the Hot 100, #7 on the R&B; chart, and #2 on the rap chart. He worked with gospel duo Mary Mary in Superfriend.

He is credited with writing, producing and arranging an original song (with vocals by Blackstreet's Kermit Quinn) for Gatorade's 2010 "Gatorade Has Evolved" TV commercial.

2010 will see the release of the first fruits of a much anticipated collaboration between Banner and hip-hop producer 9th Wonder. The duo paired up to create an album entitled "Death Of A Pop Star", which was released on December 21, 2010. In an interview with HitQuarters, 9th Wonder talked about the inspiration behind the album saying, "We thought that in many ways the death of Michael Jackson meant the death of black music ... Not to say black music is dead all the way, but on the mainstream side there’s not really much of a focus on soul. There’s not a lot of people trying to redefine soul music."

Major national advertisement for Gatorade running still in July 2010 featuring Evolve, Written, produced and arranged by David Banner.Revolvution Ad's Full Song on YOUTUBE.

Recently, he contributed an original music for a commercial for the video game . He also collaborated with the gospel duo, Mary Mary, on their album The Sound with the song Superfriend.

Film career

Banner played the part of Tehronne in Black Snake Moan. He has worked on the Adult Swim cartoon show That Crook'd 'Sipp, which premiered Sunday, May 13, 2007. His single "Play" was used as the background music in the pilot's first television promo. In 2007, he played the character of Mo, in the film This Christmas. Banner also starred as Jay, a gang leader from the hood in . In 2010 he played Bosch in the film The Experiment.

Activism

In November 2006, Banner was awarded a Visionary Award by the National Black Caucus of the State Legislature in recognition of his work after Hurricane Katrina.

On September 25, 2007, Banner testified in front of Congress at a hearing about African-American media stereotypes, which was aired nationally on C-SPAN2. He spoke about his lyrics and whether or not they were appropriate or stereotypical. Banner argued that his lyrics explain the pain blacks go through. In his opening statement, Banner was applauded by several in attendance for saying, "I can admit there are some problems in hip hop but it is only a reflection of what's taking place in our society. Hip hop is sick because America is sick."

Discography

2000: Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1

2003:

2003:

2005: Certified

2008: The Greatest Story Ever Told

2011: MTA3: The Trinity Movement

Collaboration

2010: Death of a Pop Star (with 9th Wonder)

Filmography

Awards

BET Hip Hop Awards

* 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("Get Like Me") with Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]

* 2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("Get Like Me") with Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]

* 2008, Best Producer [Nominated]

Ozone Awards

* 2008, Best Rap/R&B; Collaboration ("Get Like Me"), featuring Chris Brown & Yung Joc [Nominated]

References

External links

Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:African American actors Category:African American record producers Category:Actors from Mississippi Category:Musicians from Mississippi Category:Rappers from Mississippi Category:People from Jackson, Mississippi Category:American hip hop record producers Category:Southern University alumni Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni

Name	Big Pokey
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Milton Powell
Alias	Pokey, PoYo, Sensei, Podeine
Born	December 04, 1977
Origin	Houston, Texas
Genre	Southern rap
Occupation	Rapper, Vocalist
Years active	1998–present
Label	E1 Music
Associated acts	Screwed Up Click
Url	http://www.myspace.com/sucbigpokey

Big Pokey, (born Milton Powell on December 4, 1977) is a rap artist from Houston, Texas and is one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click.

Big Pokey joined up with DJ Screw in the early 1990s and started releasing songs on DJ Screw's many mixtapes. His first full-length album appeared in late 1999, "Hardest Pit in the Litter". The following year, Pokey returned with "D-Game" 2000, another album of mid-tempo 808-driven beats featuring several of his Houston peers as guests. In 2001, he collaborated with the Wreckshop Wolfpack for Collabo and then returned in 2002 with another solo album, "Da Sky's Da Limit". In 2004, as the popularity of Houston rap expanded nationwide, HBO's hit series Entourage featured a clip of Pokey's song "Who Dat Talkin Down" in its pilot episode. In 2005 he was featured in a song which was #93 on US Top 100 with Paul Wall called Sittin' Sidewayz.

Discography

Studio albums

1999: Hardest Pit in the Litter

2000: D-Game 2000

2001: D-Game 2000 : Chopped and Screwed

2002: Da Sky's Da Limit

2006: The Best of Big Pokey II: 8ighted & Chopped

2007: On Another Note

2007: The Best Of: Pt. 1 & Pt. 2

2008: Evacuation Notice

2009: (Screwed) I Aint Takin No Loss

2010: (Screwed) Wet Dons Association

Collaborative albums

2001: Tha Collabo (with The Weckshop Wolfpack)

2005: Mob 4 Life (with Chris Ward)

2008: Screwed Up Gorillaz (with E.S.G.)

Mixtapes

2004: A Bad Azz Mix Tape Vol. 3

2004: A Bad Azz Mix Tape Vol. 3 (Slowed & Chopped)

2005: Since The Grey Tapes Vol. 3 (with Lil' Keke)

2010: Warning Shot

Solo

2008: Boss Hogg On Candy (featuring Slim Thug)

2008: U Can Hate (featuring Chris Ward & Slim Thug)

References

See also

Houston hip hop

Category:1977 births Category:African American rappers Category:Living people Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:Underground rappers

Name	Yung Wun
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	James Carlton Anderson
Alias	Wun, The Dirtiest Thirstiest, ATL Shawty
Born
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genre	Southern hip hop
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	1998–present
Label	Full Surface, J Records, Ruff Ryders, Dark Society
Associated acts	David BannerLil' FlipDMXSwizz BeatzCassidyFiend

James Carlton Anderson better known by his stage name Yung Wun is an American rapper from ATL shawtyGeorgia.

Biography

Yung Wun was raised in Eastlake Meadows housing projects, otherwise known as "Little Vietnam". Yung Wun was very quickly exposed to the effects of crime and soon became involved with several gangs. By the age of thirteen, he had fully embraced a life of criminality. Yung Wun had numerous encounters with police as he took part in random lawlessness, which landed him in the throes of the juvenile justice system.

It was during the height of this pandemonium Yung Wun found relief from this madness through lyrical expression. He began rhyming as a form of escape. He even won several oratorical contests and writing awards. Yung Wun's grandmother, Vera, regularly pleaded with him to turn around his life. She would continually plead with her grandson to get off the streets and concentrate on his talents of speaking and writing. In the single most pivotal moment of his young life, Yung Wun's grandmother died in his arms. Overwhelmed by her death, he was left to contemplate his future path. Remembering what his grandmother told him, he decided to clean his life up and choose a more legal path. Yung Wun devoted his life to his art form.

Musical career

Inspired by the works of his rap idols notably Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G and DMX, he began showcasing his talents all over metro Atlanta, grabbing the attention of several music executives. Yung Wun appeared on several underground down south projects while he endured the underhandedness of the music industry. On several occasions Yung Wun was allegedly "ripped off" by industry executives but this fact is disputable.

His career took an upward turn in 1998 when he signed with producers from Dark Society Recordings, an Atlanta based Production Company. The team completed an album project and presented it to platinum selling super producer, Swizz Beatz. Swizz Beatz was impressed with Yung Wun's ability and offered Dark Society Recordings a production deal on his label Full Surface / J Records. Yung Wun has been featured on several platinum selling rap albums. He was featured on the "Down Bottom" remix with Drag-On from the multi platinum selling Ruff Ryder compilation Volume! He also teamed up with Drag-On again for the remix of "Trouble" of his 2004 album Hell and Back. He rapped alongside Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss and Scarface on "World War III" from Ruff Ryder's second compilation and he was also at Ryde or die Boyz at the chorus. He was also featured on Jadakiss' first solo album and appeared on Swizz Beatz compilation on Dreamworks, G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories.

Yung Wun's lyrical style consists of a blend of down south energy and ferocious. His first solo album The Dirtiest Thirstiest was released in 2004 on J Records.co-signed under Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also created "Yung Wun Anthem", which was included on the soundtrack for EA Sport's "Madden 2005" video game.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:American rappers Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Ruff Ryders artists

Name	Kim Kardashian
Caption	Kardashian in Santa Monica, California on May 13, 2009 at Maxim's 10th Annual Hot 100 Celebration
Birth name	Kimberly Noel Kardashian
Birth date	October 21, 1980
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Armenian, Dutch, Scottish
Years active	2007–present
Known for	Reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kourtney and Kim Take New York
Occupation	Entrepreneur, actress, model, socialite
Height
Measurements	35D-26-40
Spouse	Damon Thomas (2000–2004)
Parents	Robert Kardashian (father)Kris Jenner (mother)Bruce Jenner (stepfather)
Relatives	Kourtney Kardashian (sister)Khloé Kardashian (sister)Robert Kardashian Jr. (brother)Kylie Jenner (half-sister)Kendall Jenner (half-sister)Burt Jenner (stepbrother)Casey Jenner (stepsister)Brandon Jenner (stepbrother)Brody Jenner (stepbrother)
Website	http://kimkardashian.celebuzz.com/

Kimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian (born October 21, 1980) is an American socialite, television personality, model, and actress. She is the daughter of late attorney Robert Kardashian, and is known for a sex tape with her former boyfriend Ray J as well as her E! reality series which she shares with her family, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Kardashian's prominence has increased as of January 2011 with the premiere of Kourtney and Kim Take New York, the second spin-off of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (the first being Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami), debuting on E!, with the series following Kim and sister Kourtney Kardashian as they leave Los Angeles to open a third D-A-S-H store in New York City.

Kardashian has launched multiple fragrances, guest starred on numerous shows, competed on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and has had roles in movies such as Disaster Movie and Deep in the Valley. In 2010, Kardashian, along with her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, released an autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential, and plan to launch their own fashion line.

Early life

Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of late attorney Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner (née Houghton). Her father was a third generation Armenian American and her mother is of Dutch and Scottish descent. Her paternal great-grandparents immigrated to Los Angeles from historic Armenia (then part of the Ottoman Empire, now in Turkey). Her last name in Armenian (spelled Քարտաշեան in Armenian) means "son of a stonemason." Although only half Armenian, she states that she "was raised with a huge Armenian influence, always hearing stories of Armenia, eating Armenian food and celebrating Armenian holidays"

Kardashian has two sisters, Kourtney and Khloé, and one brother, Robert. She has stepbrothers Burton Jenner, Brandon Jenner, and reality TV star Brody Jenner, stepsister Casey Jenner, and half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

She attended Marymount High School. During high school, Kardashian worked at her father's music marketing firm, Movie Tunes.

Career

2007–present: Reality television

Kardashian first rose to fame in October 2007 when she along with her two sisters, mother, brother, half-sisters, and stepfather starred in the E! television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The series has aired five season to date, with two spin-off series.

Her first acting role was in the television series Beyond the Break. She then starred in the 2008 disaster film spoof Disaster Movie as Lisa. Kardashian appeared in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Benefits". She also appeared on the Season 3 premiere of the series 90210 with her sisters Khloé and Kourtney; they all played themselves. Kardashian was a guest hostess of WrestleMania XXIV and appeared as a guest judge during Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model. On December 16, 2009, Kardashian made a guest star appearance on CBS's with Vanessa Minnillo.

Kardashian was one of 13 participants on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with Mark Ballas and was the third contestant voted off the show on September 30, 2008, finishing in 11th place overall.

Music videos

Filmography

2007–present: Keeping Up with the Kardashians as Herself

2008: Dancing with the Stars as Herself

2008: Disaster Movie as Calvin's girlfriend, Lisa

2009: as Debbie Fallon (1 episode)

2009: Deep in the Valley as Summa Eve

2009: How I Met Your Mother as herself (1 episode)

2009: Beyond the Break as Elle (4 episodes)

2011–present: Kourtney and Kim Take New York

References

External links

Official website

Kardashians join forces with Australian designer @ Mediasearch

Category:1980 births Category:American actors Category:American people of Armenian descent Category:American people of Dutch descent Category:American people of Scottish descent Category:American female models Category:American film actors Category:American socialites Category:Businesspeople in fashion Category:Kardashian family Category:Living people Category:People from Los Angeles, California

Name	Chingy
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Howard Bailey, Jr.
Born	March 09, 1980
Origin	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Years active	2001–present
Genre	Rap
Occupation	Rapper, entrepreneur
Label	Disturbing Tha Peace (2003-2004, 2007-2008) Capitol Records (2004-2006) Slot-A-Lot Records (2004-present) Def Jam Recordings (2007-2008) Full Dekk Music Group (2010-present)
Associated acts	Lil' Flip, DTP, 8 Ball, Steph Jones, Bobby Valentino, The Trak Starz |URL =

Howard Bailey, Jr. (born March 9, 1980), better known by his stage name Chingy, is an American rapper.

Chingy grew up in the Walnut Park section of St. Louis and began rapping in earnest in his late teens. Chingy toured as an opening act with Nelly in the summer of 2002 and then became a protégé of Ludacris, who signed him to his newly-formed Disturbing tha Peace (DTP) record label. The rapper's 2003 summer debut single, "Right Thurr", put him on the musical map as a good-time rapper who specialized in catchy, club-friendly beats. Chingy's 2003 debut album, Jackpot, sold two million copies, thanks to the boost from "Right Thurr." A second album, Powerballin', was released in 2004 to mixed reviews, and his 2006 release Hoodstar spawned the hit singles "Pullin' Me Back" and "Dem Jeans." He released Hate It or Love It in 2007, under DTP records. The album's lead single is "Fly Like Me," featuring Amerie. A mixtape entitled Success & Failure was released in 2010. Currently Chingy has been working on his new upcoming project No Risk No Reward 13 which will be his first Independent album ever released.

Early life

Chingy grew up in the Walnut Park section of St. Louis, a neighborhood he has referred to as the "Bad Blocks." The middle child with two older brothers and two younger sisters, Chingy became a music fan at an early age. At the age of 23, Chingy began dating a Euro-Indian model by the name of Aposia. The two have been seen multiple times together in his hometown of St.Louis.

Chingy began writing lyrics at age 9 and was recording raps at age 10. He was originally known as H Thugz and was in the local st. louis, MO. group Without Warning on 49 Productions with M.G.D. & Mysphit. Married to Kayla Augustin. They had a pretty big local hit, What's Poppin Off & even had a video for it. Their self-titled album ft. Spice-1 on the track 49 to the Yay. H Thugz later chose the alias Chingy, a slang term for money.

Music career

Early career

Ludacris and his manager, Chaka Zulu, were quick to sign Chingy to their fledgling Disturbing tha Peace label. The Party Rap track "Right Thurr" gained popularity, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

2003: Jackpot

Chingy's debut album Jackpot was released on July 7, 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 Double Platinum by the RIAA.

2004-2005: Powerballin'

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. Powerballin' sold over one million copies and received a Platinum certification. He also was on one of the George Lopez episodes as himself.

2006: Hood Star

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 charts, 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".

The album sold 77,000 copies in its first week.

2007-2008: Hate It or Love It

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 upon this 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. The lead single is "Fly Like Me," featuring Amerie. The album was released on December 18, 2007 and featured appearances by Ludacris, Bobby Valentino, Steph Jones, Trey Songz, Rick Ross, and Anthony Hamilton. The album debuted at #84 on the Billboard 200, selling 30,000 copies, making it Chingy's first album not to crack the Top 10. Hate It or Love It did not get released in the UK, this was Chingy's first album to not be released in the United Kingdom.

2011-present: No Risk No Reward 13

Chingy is working on his 5th studio album called "No Risk No Reward 13", which is said to be released sometime in 2011. "Superhero", featuring Full Dekk Music Group artist Chris Woodhouse, is the first single from the album. The second single will be "Paperman".

Acting career

In 2005 Chingy made his acting debut in the TV comedy series "My Wife and Kids". Also in 2005, Chingy acted in the TV comedies "One on One" & "The George Lopez Show". In 2006 Chingy made a cameo in the comedy "Scary Movie 4". Also in 2006 Chingy made a guest appearance on "Yo Momma". In 2010 Chingy had a role in the movie "Speed-Dating" .

Discography

;Studio albums

2003: Jackpot

2004: Powerballin'

2006: Hoodstar

2007: Hate It or Love It

2011: No Risk No Reward 13

;Studio mixtape

2010: Success & Failure

Filmography

;Films

The System Within (2006) as Nick

Scary Movie 4 (2006) as himself

Psycho Sleepover (2008) as Pizza Man

Speed-Dating (2010) as Kenneth

Polish Bar (2010) as Fat Moe

;Television

My Wife and Kids (2005)

The George Lopez Show (2005) as himself

One on One (2005) as Taz

Punk'd (2005) as himself

Yo Momma (2006) as himself

Caramel (2009) as Kyle

References

7. Chingy-experiences-rebirth-on-new-label and album http://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/22/chingy-experiences-rebirth-on-new-album/m] 8. CHINGY BELIEVES IN HIS “SUPER” SINGLES http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Article/st-louis-rapper-chingy-back-in-action-with-new-021243015206058 9. RapReviews.com Featured Interview with Chingy http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/chingy2011.html 10. CHINGY REVEALS WHAT KEPT PULLIN' HIM BACK FROM HIATUS http://www.sohh.com/2011/05/chingy_says_the_music_keeps_pullin_him_b.html 11. CHINGY EXPLAINS WHY HE TOOK A 3-YEAR MUSIC HIATUS http://www.sohh.com/2011/05/chingy_reveals_real_reason_behind_3-year.html

External links

Category:1980 births Category:African American musicians Category:African American rappers Category:Capitol Records artists Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:Living people Category:Rappers from St. Louis, Missouri