Interview with Chingy. His album Hoodstar is in stores now.


I saw the Beef episode on BET last week. Do you think your story was represented accurately?
Chingy-No. It definitely doesn't represent me accurately. You know me and Nelly squashed that situation. My story still wasn't represented accurately. I feel that they just went off Nelly. I think they made it seem like I was trying to talk about somebody just to get recognition but actually that wasn't the case or the situation. I was the one being hated on because nobody really realized because nobody really knows the situation. It definitely wasn't represented right.

At this time are you still promoting the Hoodstar project?
Chingy-Oh yeah. That's not going to stop. That's what's going on right now.

Have you been doing a lot of shows?
Chingy-A lot of radio shows, spot dates, I just got back from Australia promoting it. I'm about tour in January. I'm just working this album. I'm about to come out with my third single, "U A Freak," the party record/dance record, we're just moving.

Have you thought about doing any acting? Because it seems like all the ladies like you I'm sure they would like to see you on the big screen or on TV?
Chingy-Actually, I have a movie coming out in March called the System of Sin, its an urban street like movie. I've been talking about doing this show with MTV. Acting is secondary to my music but the acting is there. I don't mind acting. It's just like making a video except everything is scripted out. Acting is in my future.

The "Pulling Me Back," song with Tyrese was a big hit for you. Another big song you had was "One Call Away." Those were kind of like R&B'ish type songs. Do you feel compelled to do more of those type of songs since they tend to be such big hits for you?
Chingy-Actually, I'm going to continue to do songs like that. I'm going to always do songs that cater to the female crowd. I'm going to keep making music like that. I can talk about anything, I'm versatile but I love making those records.

Hoodstar In Stores Now Hoodstar Review

I know early in your career you said that DJ Quik was a huge influence on you. Do you think you will work with DJ Quik again in the future?
Chingy-Oh definitely I'll work with DJ Quik. He was one of my favorite rappers when I was younger and he's a friend of mine. I'm definitely going to be working with DJ Quik again so you can be on the lookout for that.

One of my favorite songs on the new album is "Brand New Kicks" with Mannie Fresh. Was this your first time working with Mannie Fresh?
Chingy-Actually, yeah that was my first time working with Mannie Fresh and that's one of my favorite songs on the album. Mannie Fresh is a cool dude. We used to always see each other and say we were going to do something together but we would be so busy that it never happened and it happened and we came out with a good record.

Are you still based out of the St. Louis area?
Chingy-Yes, ma'am.

Why was it important for you to stay in the area after you blew up, because you really could have lived anywhere you wanted too.
Chingy-Well this is where I'm from. I might get a place somewhere else but this is going to always be home. It's where my family is at. It's just a place that I know. I didn't want to play like I was getting too big and try to move and go other places. Sometimes people in the City get on my damn nerves, but this is home so I'm not really going anywhere.

You know I went to school in Southern Illinois so I spent a lot of time in that area. What are some of your favorite restaurants in the St. Louis area?
Chingy-Applebee's is one of my favorites, Outback is one of my favorites, and Chili's is one of my favorites and Sweetie Pie's when I want some soul food.

What kind of artist are you? Are you one of the kind of person who stays in the studio during your down time or do you have to take time away from the music?
Chingy-I stay in the studio in my downtime. As soon as I get off the place when I come home I go straight to the studio. That's just a routine I have, I have a passion for making music.

What do you consider some of the highlights of your career?
Chingy-Two days ago, this young lady who is dying a teenage girl in the hospital. They asked her what were some of her wishes before the situation occurs and one of them was to meet me. So, I think by making my music and the fans that I do have that appreciate my music make me feel real good about what I'm doing. I love performing as well and I love being in the studio and I love people who appreciate my music.

What are some of your favorite songs to perform?
Chingy-Always is "Right Thurr." Always "Holidae Inn," always "One Call Away." "Chingy Jackpot." "Balla Baby," "Pullin' Me Back," "Dem Jeans." I still like to perform that song "I Like That," that song that I did with Houston. I have a couple of favorites.

It seems like there was a small gap between this album and your last album. When can we expect your next album?
Chingy-You can expect my next album next year. Probably the end of next year or it might be sooner.

= Chingy Official Website