Chinga Chang Records

Chinga Chang Records
Founded 2003-present
Founder Dan Herman (CEO)
Status Active
Distributor(s) Sony Entertainment
Genre Hip hop, rap
Country of origin United States
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Official website chingachangmusic.com

Chinga Chang Records is a Philadelphia-based independent hip hop label. Founded by CEO Dan Herman in 2003, Chinga Chang has released music by artists including Kool G Rap and Lil Scrappy, including the Kool G Rap album Half a Klip in 2007.[1] The label has also released two mixtapes, which include previously unreleased music by artists such as KRS1, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price.[2]

History

Early years

Chinga Chang Records was founded as a boutique hip hop label in 2003,[3] by Philadelphia native Dan Herman, also known as DMAK.[1] Herman, then only 18[3] eventually established offices in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida.[4]

In July 2006 the label released its first single, "Meal of the Day," by company artist Temp, which became popular in Bollywood. The label then released the mixtape Chang Gang Vol. 1: Stackin' Euros, which included then unheard tracks from artists including KRS1, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price. Each track from the album had a video made along with it, including one for Price's song "Ground Wit Ur Niggazz," shot in Brownsville, Brooklyn.[3]

Also in 2006 CEO Herman signed Kool G Rap.[5] According to Hip Hop Weekly, Chinga Chang "helped resurrect the career of Kool G Rap by backing the hip hop icon’s first studio disc in nearly a decade."[1] Kool G Rap's album Half a Klip was produced by DJ Premier, who is associated with the label, and had vocals by actress Haylie Duff. A month later Herman signed a distribution deal for the album with Koch Entertainment.[3]

In June 2007 the label released the mixtape The Official Joints LP via digital download, which included unreleased music by artists such as Rakim, Masta Ace, J Live, Guru, Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane, KRS1, and Big Pun. The first single off the album, Rakim's "Original Style," was also made into an unreleased cartoon.[3]

Later signings

In June 2013 it was announced that former Nickelodeon actress Amanda Bynes had been offered a record deal by Chinga Chang, after Herman cleared the idea with The Orchard and Sony Entertainment.[2] According to Herman, he retracted the offer after Bynes failed to show up to a meeting with Wyclef Jean. Herman instead signed the artist D Rock Starr,[6] who had previously provided the hook for the track "I Feel Bad for You Son" on Half a Klip.[7] D Rock's first single on Chinga Chang was "Sour Patch Kid," a diss track to Bynes.[6]

In October 2013 Chinga Chang signed the rap group G4 Boyz,[8] with distribution provided through Sony Entertainment.[9] Also that month Chinga Chang signed Philadelphia rapper Cassidy,[4] with Wyclef and DJ Premier slated to help with Cassidy's next album; however, a few weeks later the deal fell through, with Herman quoting artistic differences.[1]

Herman instead signed Atlanta-based rapper Lil' Scrappy[10] on November 1, 2013.[3] Scrappy's first single, "They Hate Me" featuring Young Buck, was released on December 5. His solo album Reparations is meant to be released in Spring 2014,[4] with a distribution deal by Sony.[11] Another early single from Reparations, "Juicy On My Mind," was also released in December 2013.[4]

A new album by Drock Star was announced for September 15, 2014, titled American Dream.[12] Atlanta-based rapper 9Gotti signed to the label on May 20, 2014,[3] after releasing a single on the label a week earlier.[13]

Around July 2013, TMZ reported that Michael Lohan had brokered a deal with Herman for a recording contract for Ali Lohan. The deal had ended after Michael Lohan allegedly threatened Herman with violence.[14]

Artists

Current artists
Previous artists

Discography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Albums

Singles

Further reading

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Chinga Chang Records CEO Dan Herman Drops Cassidy". Hip Hop Weekly. November 16, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sieczkowski, Cavan (June 11, 2013). "Amanda Bynes Offered Rap Deal With Chinga Chang Records". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "About Us". Chinga Chang Music. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "News". Chinga Chang Music. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  5. J-23 (February 8, 2008). "Kool G Rap – Half A Klip | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Chinga Chang Records produces Amanda Bynes diss song". RumorFix. June 22, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  7. "New Artists". Chinga Changa Music. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  8. "G4 Boyz @G4BOYZ Sign With Chinga Chang Records". PaperChaster.com. October 24, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  9. James, Jesse (October 28, 2013). "The G4 Boyz Sign w/ Chinga O Chang/Sony Records - News". StupidDope. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  10. "Can I Get A Record Deal: Dan Herman Of Chinga Chang Records Signs Lil Scrappy And Cassidy". DJs Doing Work. November 3, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  11. Kyles, Yohance (November 5, 2013). "Lil Scrappy Signs New Label Deal With Chinga Chang/Sony Ent". Austin-American Statesman. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  12. "News". Chinga Chang. May 20, 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  13. Witness Music Video: 9Gotti
  14. "Michael Lohan: Police Probe Threats Against Music Honcho". TMZ. 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
  15. "HHV Exclusive: Dan Herman talks Chinga Chang Records rumors, Lil’ Scrappy, and more". Hip Hop Vibe. January 22, 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Music". Chinga Changa Music. Retrieved 2014-03-25.

External links