Midwestern rapper Chingy landed a hit single early in his career with the contagious radio favorite "Right Thurr" in 2003, but despite rumors of the star being a flash-in-the-pan, Chingy has endured the sophomore slump to stay in the running of the rap pack.

Although the nickname comes from what he and his friends called someone with money in their pockets, rapper Chingy was penniless when he signed with Ludacris in the early 2000s. Born Howard Bailey, Jr. in 1980, the one-time freestyler decided to go for the big bucks at just 20 years old. Ludacris' label Disturbing the Peace released Chingy's debut album Jackpot in 2003 and the album lived up to its title. Lead single "Right Thurr" caught onto the Billboard charts like wildfire, and had fans singing along to his risqué lyrics whether they knew that they were all about the female form or not! Chingy's "rr" proved successful with "Wurrs My Car," but it was "Holidae In" and "One Call Away" that sealed the deal for Jackpot. It seemed as if after growing up in the rough and tumble Walnut Park neighborhood of St. Louis, rapper Chingy was living his dreams.

Chingy eventually split with his label due to an undisclosed dispute and signed with Capitol Records, who released his 2004 album Powerballin'. The rapper's sophomore album slackened his pace, with "Balla Baby" being the only single able to break into the Top 20, but 2006's Hoodstar proved more successful with Top Ten track "Pullin' Me Back." Chingy reconciled with Disturbing the Peace in time for his 2007 release Hate It or Love It. Chingy may always be known for his infectious "Right Thurr" and "Holidae In," but his charisma and pop-rap style will continue to allow this St. Louis rapper to succeed.