First Chingy hit the “Jackpot.” Now he wants to collect again on “Power Ballin.”
The 24-year-old rapper’s first album sold three million copies behind the 2003 summer anthem “Right Thurr,” helping to cement the status of his hometown, St. Louis, as the newest rap hotbed.
Now Chingy’s collaborating with Janet Jackson, R. Kelly and more on his new album, which comes out Tuesday. He spoke with AP Television News about his rise to fame, fake diamonds and becoming the next Puff Daddy.
AP: Why is your new album called “Power Ballin”?
Chingy: With my first album, “Jackpot,” three times platinum was my goal. Hitting the jackpot you get the money. With my second album, it’s time to power ball, splurge a little bit, live a little bit. Live how you want to live, do what you want to do and just enjoy life.
AP: Tell me about the first single.
Chingy: “Baller Baby” is about spending money, showing off your diamonds and riding real clean in your ride, kicking it with women and my boys — just having a nice time and ballin’.
AP: Is this really how you live — the money, women and cars?
Chingy: I live like that, the diamonds and all that. At the end of the day it means nothing, but I grew up liking jewelry, so I love wearing jewelry. Yeah, I ball for real.
AP: So, are all of these diamonds you’re wearing right now real?
Chingy: This is real. I can’t see myself wearing any fake stuff out. It won’t happen.
AP: How has your life changed? The last time I interviewed you, you said you were just starting to make money.
Chingy: This biggest change is that I’m able to eat when I want to eat. In the past I could eat. I couldn’t buy food. I didn’t even have three dollars in my pocket. But now I have no problems eating. I can support my family, people that are around me and help them...My dream is coming true. That’s the biggest thing.
AP: Do you miss being anonymous?
Chingy: No. (Fame) is cool. It has its ups and downs. Sometimes you want a normal day where you don’t want to be bothered. People run up to you and scream that you’re there when you probably didn’t want everybody to know. Sometimes it’s cool, sometimes not.
AP: What do you think about the Ashlee Simpson lip-synch controversy?
Chingy: I mean, that’s life and people make mistakes. Everybody isn’t perfect...People will get over it. She’ll still be Ashlee Simpson at the end of the day.
AP: Is there someone who inspires you?
Chingy: People that inspire me are Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, they give me inspiration to do big things, get into different avenues and create different possibilities outside or rapping and making music, to do something else — like a liquor company.
AP: A liquor company? Is that supposed to be a good thing?
Chingy: That’s not bad. I mean it’s life, everybody drinks. I drink. It’s cool. It’s all about the dollars.
AP: So what’s the next single?
Chingy: “Keep Clubbin.” It’s about you going out with your boys, and him asking if his outfit looks cool. It’s just like, “Man, you look cool. You look nice. Pop your collar and put your jewelry on. Get the truck shining. Let’s get a car wash, go to the club and have fun.”
AP: Guys worry about that they’re wearing?
Chingy: Dudes do it too. I always do it before I go someplace.