It almost seems that the 26-year-old rapper, Howard ‘Chingy’ Bailey, has made a comeback with this third album ‘Hoodstar’, although he has never really left the scene, as such. Having gone through some political divergences with his record label over the promotion side and riches correlation, which eventually lead to Chingy’s departure from Ludacris’ Disturbin’ Tha Peace camp, Chingy learned a valuable lesson and decided to move on instead of surrendering.

Now, signed to Capitol Records, Chingy calls his own shots with ‘Hoodstar’. More involved in the business side of his career, and as a slightly more mature Chingy, he teams up with some talented producers, including Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Mannie Fresh, Kwame, Mr. Collipark and of course, The Trak Starz. Then he divides the album into two sides of his life; the ‘Hood’ part: from the ups and downs of the ghetto hustles, to the ‘Star’ part, all about the fun, partying and enjoying the heights of his stardom.

So, what are the fruits of this labour?  Well, let’s see. Foremost, has got to be the smooth R&B front single ‘Pullin’ Me Back’, featuring Tyrese and produced by Jermaine Dupri. Describing the complexity of trying to harmonise being in a relationship whilst leading a superstar lifestyle, the single is already a hit in the charts. On the flip side to that, track ‘Let Me Luv U’, which as Chingy states, is a “ghetto love story,” capturing the lust and infatuation for a girl he bumps into at a club.

There’s more crunk, fun and girls, girls, girls with additional club and party anthems on display. Most notable are: ‘Dem Jeans’ featuring Jermaine Dupri, a nice reflection of ‘Right Thurr’; catchy and sexy ‘Ass N Da Aurr’, featuring Spiffy; ‘U A Freak’ featuring Mr. Collipark, with a sample from Janet Jackson’s ‘Nasty’; and ‘Club Getting Crowded’ with Three 6 Mafia.

With a ‘Ching-A-Ling’ approach, ‘Intro (Rid’in Wit Me)’, (where Chingy gives himself many props for representing St. Louis and the Midwest), plus cuts like ‘Nike Aurr’s & Crispy Tee’s’ or ‘Brand New Kicks’ featuring Mannie Fresh, you can’t help but notice that Chingy places a lot of importance to his cars, street wear, accessories and just living large. 

Changing the scene a little bit is ‘Cadillac Door’ featuring Midwest City, where Chingy echoes his struggles whilst growing up in his hometown Walnut Park, St. Louis. He also makes a dedication to the 9/11 victims, showing some of his humble and grounded surface.

If you take it as it comes, production wise ‘Hoodstar’ is quite good, and it can make you shake your booty, which, in my opinion, is a big plus. Lyrically, although Chingy reveals a bit more of his inner self on this album, he is still taking things a little too lightly – you sense there’s more to him but he refuses to show it.

‘Hoodstar’ calls for a more profound, focused and mature lyrical outlook for Chingy’s next album.  Chingy certainly knows how to make the booties shake – all he’s gotta do now is stop holding back and blow our minds with some slick wordplay.

Favourite Tracks:

8. Pullin’ Me Back (Feat. Tyrese)

11. Cadillac Door (Feat. Midwest City)

6. Ass N Da Aurr (Feat. Spiffy)