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]

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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.
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  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.
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  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)
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  31. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
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  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.
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