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