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Chingy Album review: Hoodstar

Hoodstar’s production quality is nothing short of impressive, with the likes of Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Mannie Fresh, Three 6 Mafia, Kwame, and Trak Starz all contributing to the album’s barrage of menacing beats and subtle nuances. However, the problem with this album lies within Chingy’s lack of lyrical creativity. Hoodstar is separated into two different themes: the “hood side,” and the “star side.” Neither differentiates one from the other, as the themes tend to bleed together. With the “hood side” featuring songs like “Nike Aurr’s & Crispy Tee’s” and the “star side” featuring such tunes like “Brand New Kicks,” it becomes difficult to see the artistic direction Chingy is vying for through splitting the album into two propositions.

This album fails to produce a single that will rival the success of such previous hits as “Holidae Inn” or “Right Thurr,” but the club anthems are still present. “Bounce That” and “Ass N Da Aurr” are reminiscent of the bass heavy jams that induce dance floor denim grinding, while “Let’s Ride” and “Hands Up” call for exactly what their titles insist you do with the help of their hard-hitting, sporadic beats.

The real gems on Hoodstar are “Cadillac Door” featuring Midwest City and “Pullin’ Me Back” featuring Tyrese. These two songs are sultry R&B grooves that make you wish that Chingy would have dedicated one of his two album themes to this style. “Pullin’ Me Back” relies on a solid hook provided by Tyrese and is currently plowing up the charts. “Cadillac Door” contains a wah guitar that is reminiscent of any Devin the Dude track; said guitar provides the ear candy that drives this soulful groove. Midwest City’s chorus contributes much added muster that compliments Chingy’s flow and the guitar’s mollifying vibe.

Chingy may not expand his horizons lyrically, but the man knows how to surround himself with talented producers to help conjure up beats that you will be hearing at clubs for several months down the line. Chingy knows what works best for him, and as long as the masses are eating it up, he’ll keep putting out the club anthems that he has yet to stray away from.

Grade: C+

--By Paul Shanafelt
Contact: paul.shanafelt@gmail.com