Balla Baby

Last updated
"Balla Baby"
Chingy - Balla Baby (CD 2).jpg
Single by Chingy
from the album Powerballin'
B-side "Fall-N"
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2004 (2004-09-14)
Length3:33
Label
Songwriter(s) Chingy, Keith McMasters
Producer(s) Keith McMasters
Chingy singles chronology
"I Like That"
(2004)
"Balla Baby"
(2004)
"Don't Worry"
(2005)
Music video
"Balla Baby" on YouTube

"Balla Baby" is a song by American rapper Chingy. It was released as the lead single from his second album, Powerballin' (2004). It garnered a mixed reception from critics, was the only single from the album to be released worldwide, and reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. A music video by Jeremy Rall was made to promote the single that features Chingy inside a pinball machine that's named after the album's title. The remix features Lil Flip and Boozie of G.I.B. and a music video was made for the remix.

Contents

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews from music critics. Soren Baker of the Los Angeles Times called it a "solid braggadocio single." [1] Billboard writer Rashaun Hall described the song's catchy hook delivered in Chingy's technical flow as an "affable attempt" made to bring attention to his sophomore effort. [2] Paul Cantor of RapReviews commended the track's production but said that, "It's the borderline generic nature in which this whole record comes across that makes it less likely to pick up in the way the techno-inspired "Right Thurr" did." [3] Reviewing the album for Rolling Stone , Jon Caramanica put it alongside "We Clubbin'" as examples that showcase Chingy's charm and unique delivery, but found them "amiable, but aimless." [4]

Commercial performance

"Balla Baby" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 9, 2004, at number 67. [5] It moved eleven spots to number 56 the week of October 16, 2004. [6] It then moved fifteen spots to number 41 the week of October 23, 2004. [7] It reached the top 40 the week of October 30, 2004, by moving sixteen spots to number 25. [8] It peaked at number 20 the week of November 13, 2004, and held that position for two weeks, remaining on the chart for eighteen weeks. [9] It was the first single released by Chingy to not reach the top 5 in that chart after three consecutive hits off his Jackpot album.

Music video

Directed by Jeremy Rall, [10] the video features Chingy and scantily-clad women inside a pinball machine called "Powerballin'" (the album's title). Inside the machine, Chingy is going to a meeting with a record executive, stunting next to various luxury cars and women, inside a bank vault filled with money and playing at a casino with various people around him. A barn owl is occasionally featured in the video. The video ends with Chingy playing the machine while two women watch. The explicit remix version of the video was released afterwards.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [40] Gold500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesSeptember 14, 2004 Urban radio
[41]
October 11, 2004 Contemporary hit radio [42]
United KingdomNovember 1, 2004CD [43]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chingy</span> American rapper (born 1980)

Howard Earl Bailey Jr., known professionally as Chingy, is an American rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. He toured as an opening act with fellow St. Louis rapper Nelly in 2002, and signed with Georgia rapper Ludacris' record label, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) that same year. Released in a joint-venture with Capitol Records, his 2003 debut single, "Right Thurr" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Chingy specialized in catchy, club-friendly beats and simplistic lyrics delivered in a sing-song, nursery rhyme style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Thurr</span> 2003 single by Chingy

"Right Thurr" is the debut single of American rapper Chingy. Written alongside The Trak Starz. It was released on April 14, 2003, by Capitol Records, Priority Records, and Disturbing tha Peace as the lead single from his debut album, Jackpot (2003). The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised the production and Chingy's addictive delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pieces of Me (song)</span> 2004 single by Ashlee Simpson

"Pieces of Me" is the debut single of American pop/rock singer Ashlee Simpson and the first single from her debut album, Autobiography (2004). The song, which was jointly written and composed by Simpson, Kara DioGuardi and John Shanks and produced by Shanks, is a blend of pop and rock with lyrics about finding comfort and happiness in a relationship with a new boyfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitch (Meredith Brooks song)</span> 1997 single by Meredith Brooks

"Bitch" (also known by its censored title "Nothing in Between" and later as "Bitch (Nothing in Between)") is a song by American singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks and co-written with Shelly Peiken. It was released in March 1997 as the lead single from Brooks' second album, Blurring the Edges (1997). The song was produced by punk notable Geza X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope (Twista song)</span> 2004 single by Twista

"Hope" is a song by American rapper Twista from the soundtrack of the 2005 movie Coach Carter. Featuring singer Faith Evans who performs the chorus, the song mainly focuses on Twista's view on the War on Terrorism. The version featuring Faith Evans can also be found on her album The First Lady. The song was released to US rhythmic and urban radio on November 22, 2004. The original version of the song appears on Twista's Kamikaze album and features CeeLo Green instead of Faith Evans.

<i>Powerballin</i> 2004 studio album by Chingy

Powerballin' is the second studio album by the rapper Chingy, released on November 16, 2004, through Capitol Records and Chingy's Slot-A-Lot label. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 172 with first week sales of 7,000 copies in the US, but then climbed to number 10 with another 120,000 copies sold in the following week. It has since been certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipping over a million copies in the US. The song "I Do" was used in the video game Need for Speed: Underground 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Call Away (Chingy song)</span> 2004 single by Chingy

"One Call Away" is a song by American rapper Chingy, featuring actor Jason Weaver singing the chorus, credited as J-Weav. It was released as the third and final single off his debut album, Jackpot (2003), on January 12, 2004. It was released through Capitol Records and Ludacris's Disturbing tha Peace label. The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart for three weeks, and peaked at numbers three and six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Mainstream Top 40 charts, respectively. It also reached the top 40 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. A video for the single was released that featured actress Keisha Knight-Pulliam and streetball player Philip "Hot Sauce" Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Like That (Houston song)</span> 2004 single by Houston featuring Chingy, Nate Dogg and I-20

"I Like That" is a song by American R&B singer Houston. It is the first single released from his debut album, It's Already Written (2004). The song features Chingy, Nate Dogg, and I-20. Released on May 10, 2004, "I Like That" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart and at number 11 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song also charted within the top 40 in several other countries, including Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holidae In</span> 2003 single by Chingy

"Holidae In" is a song by American rapper Chingy featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 25, 2003, by Capitol Records and Ludacris's Disturbing tha Peace record label as the second single off his debut album Jackpot (2003). Produced by the duo the Trak Starz, the release garnered positive reviews from critics who praised the performances. In 2020, Entertainment Weekly wrote that the legacy of the song was that increased the "coolness factor" of Holiday Inn, hotel chain based in Atlanta, and owned by the hospitality company, Intercontinental Hotels Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Call Me Baby</span> 1999 single by Madison Avenue

"Don't Call Me Baby" is a song by Australian house music duo Madison Avenue, released as the first single from their only studio album, The Polyester Embassy (2000). Written by Cheyne Coates, Andy Van Dorsselaer, Duane Morrison, and Giuseppe Chierchia, the song includes a bassline sample from "Ma Quale Idea" by Italo disco artist Pino D'Angiò, which in turn is based on "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pepper (song)</span> 1996 single by Butthole Surfers

"Pepper" is a song by American alternative rock band Butthole Surfers from their seventh studio album, Electriclarryland (1996). Released on April 11, 1996, the track reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, becoming the top-ranked song of 1996 on the former listing. In Australia, the song peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was ranked number four on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 1996. It also reached number two on the Canadian RPM Alternative 30 and number 32 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Know Why</span> Song written and composed by Jesse Harris, popularized by Norah Jones

"Don't Know Why" is a song written and composed by Jesse Harris that originally appeared on his 1999 album, Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos. A cover of the song was the debut single of American singer Norah Jones from her debut studio album, Come Away with Me (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordinary World (song)</span> 1992 single by Duran Duran

"Ordinary World" is a song by English rock band Duran Duran, released in December 1992 by Parlophone, EMI and Capitol as the first single from their self-titled album (1993), commonly known as the Wedding Album. The ballad, both written by the band and co-produced with John Jones, reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Top 40/Mainstream chart, the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and the Italian Singles Chart. It also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 in Iceland and Sweden, and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's music video was directed by Nick Egan and filmed in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fade into You</span> 1994 single by Mazzy Star

"Fade into You" is a song by American alternative rock band Mazzy Star from their second studio album, So Tonight That I Might See (1993). The song was written by lyricist Hope Sandoval and composer David Roback, who also served as producer. The song reached number three on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1994 and is Mazzy Star's only single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 44. The song also charted at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Monica (Everclear song)</span> 1995 single by Everclear

"Santa Monica" is a song by American rock band Everclear, from their 1995 album Sparkle and Fade. The song was written by the band's lead singer, Art Alexakis. Though it was not commercially released as a single in the United States, radio stations played "Santa Monica" enough for it to reach number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and number one the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for three weeks in 1996. It became a top-40 hit in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom; it is the band's highest-charting single in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will You Be There (In the Morning)</span> 1993 single by Heart

"Will You Be There (In the Morning)" is a song by American rock band Heart. The ballad was written by veteran songwriter and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who was responsible for writing Heart's US number-two single "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" in 1990, and was released as the first single from the band's 11th studio album, Desire Walks On (1993) (although "Black on Black II" was released to radio first). Unlike the majority of Heart songs, which feature Ann Wilson on lead vocals, the lead singer on the song is Nancy Wilson. The song was released in the United Kingdom in November 1993 and in the United States the following month by Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Faith Evans song)</span> 2005 single by Faith Evans

"Again" is a song by American singer Faith Evans. It was written by Ivan Barias, Carvin Haggins, and Evans for her fourth studio album The First Lady (2005), while production was helmed by Barias and Haggins under their production moniker Carvin & Ivan. It contains a sample from "Genuine" by American 1970s soul group the Whatnauts. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Jerry Harris and Venus Dodson are also credited as songwriters. "Again" addresses Evans's 2004 arrest for drug possession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride (The Vines song)</span> 2004 song by the Vines

"Ride" is the second single from Australian band the Vines' second album, Winning Days (2004). It reached the top 50 in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In Australia, the song was ranked No. 94 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Sneakin' Up On You</span> 1994 single by Bonnie Raitt

"Love Sneakin' Up On You" is a song by American blues singer Bonnie Raitt. Released in March 1994 from her 12th album, Longing in Their Hearts (1994), the song topped Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for three weeks and reached number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted in Germany and the United Kingdom. In 1995, it was nominated for both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Meiert Avis directed the song's music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartspark Dollarsign</span> 1996 single by Everclear

"Heartspark Dollarsign" is the third single released from American rock band Everclear's second studio album, Sparkle and Fade. Lead singer Art Alexakis wrote the song before Everclear formed, while he was in the band Colorfinger. The song was then recorded by Everclear in 1994 and included on Sparkle and Fade, which was released in May 1995. The lyrics describe an interracial relationship, something Alexakis often experienced in his youth.

References

  1. Baker, Soren (November 14, 2004). "Destiny's glass only half full". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  2. Hall, Rashaun. "Powerballin'". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 25, 2004. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. Cantor, Paul (November 16, 2004). "Chingy :: Powerballin' :: Capitol/EMI". RapReviews. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  4. Caramanica, Jon (November 16, 2004). "Chingy: Powerballin'". Rolling Stone . Wenner Media. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  5. Whitmire, Margo (September 30, 2004). "Ciara's 'Goodies' Won't Budge From No. 1". Billboard . Eldridge Industries . Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  6. Whitmire, Margo (October 7, 2004). "Ciara Still No. 1, Eminem Moves Top 10". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  7. Whitmire, Margo (October 14, 2004). "'Goodies' Still Good Enough For No. 1". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  8. Whitmire, Margo (October 21, 2004). "'Boo!': Usher, Keys Scare Up No. 1 Single". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. "Chingy - Balla Baby". aCharts.co. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. "Jeremy Rall". mvdbase.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. Balla Baby (US CD single liner notes). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. C2 7243 8 67635 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Balla Baby / Fall-N (US 12-inch single sleeve). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. Y 7243 8 67635 1 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Balla Baby (Australian CD single notes). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. 8 67956 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Balla Baby (UK CD1 liner notes). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. CDCL 865, 7243 8 16690 2 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Balla Baby (UK CD2 liner notes). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. CDCLS 865, 7243 8 16690 0 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Balla Baby (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Chingy. Slot-A-Lot, Capitol Records. 2004. 12CL 865.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. "Chingy – Balla Baby". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. "Issue 801" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  19. "Chingy – Balla Baby" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  20. "Chingy – Balla Baby" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  21. "Chingy Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  22. "Chingy – Balla Baby" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  23. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Balla Baby". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  24. "Chingy – Balla Baby". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  25. "Tipparade-lijst van week 50, 2004". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  26. "Chingy – Balla Baby" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  27. "Chingy – Balla Baby". Top 40 Singles.
  28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  29. "Chingy – Balla Baby". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  30. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  31. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  32. "Chingy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  33. "Chingy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  34. "Chingy Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  35. "Chingy Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  36. "Chingy Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  37. "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor . Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
  38. "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 26.
  39. "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 34.
  40. "American single certifications – Chingy – Balla Baby". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  41. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1572. September 10, 2004. p. 22. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  42. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1576. October 8, 2004. p. 35. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  43. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . October 30, 2004. p. 23.