S. Samuel
Disturbing Tha Peace's Chingy will make his return to the hip-hop spotlight later this month with the release of 1st Quarter which features Soulja Boy Tell Em and Gucci Mane.
With just over 10 tracks and 4 feature appearances, Chingy relied on his own vocals this time around.
After a two-year hiatus, multi-platinum artist Chingy is back with his full-length digital project 1st Quarter. The mixtape-style album will be released on May 12 on Chingy’s own Slot-A-Lot Records in conjunction with Gracie Productions, and features 13 exclusive tracks with features from Gucci Mane, Soulja Boy, Trey Songz and HB Monte. Songs include “P*ssy N*gga,” “Hatin On Myself,” “Balla,” “Lovely Ladies” and “2 Kool 2 Dance.” (Hip Hop Press)
By going digital, Chingy is following the path of other trailblazing rappers like Joe Budden and Saigon in an effort to capitalize on the online buying trends.
“While most people in the music business are cutting back, Gracie Productions continues to expand with digital-only releases and physical releases by great artists,” Gracie Urban Division President Dorian Washington said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have an artist of Chingy’s caliber partner with Gracie. This is an incredible album, and a tribute to how great an artist Chingy continues to be.” (Statement)
The rapper recently made headlines after denying his alleged relationship with a transsexual groupie.
“I wake up to people hitting me about some bullsh*t radio show,” Chingy said in a video. “I don’t have a secret lifestyle my n*gga. I didn’t know somebody could hate a n*gga that much to where they would actually go and make this sh*t up…They can eat a d*ck ’cause that’s just outta line…The transsexual they tryin’ to say that the sh*t happened with, I don’t even know that person. Never seen that person a day in my life. Only thing that person knew was my name and who don’t know my real name? I say my real name in my motherf*cking raps so everyone knows I’m Howard Bailey. But you know, that’s just some funny sh*t, what they’re trying to pull off.” (YouTube)
Despite selling over three million copies of his debut album, Jackpot, the rapper’s following projects have failed to generate the same interest as his first project.
A second album, Powerballin’, was released in 2004 to mixed reviews, and his 2006 release Hood Star spawned the hit singles “Pullin’ Me Back” and “Dem Jeans.” In the midst of all that recording and performing, Chingy was making headlines for feuds with Nelly, Ludacris and more than one record label. He released Hate It or Leave It in 2007 via Def Jam. (Gracie Productions)
