This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
“I’m a high roller, baby,” boasts Chingy. And thanks to last year’s party rap hit Right Thurr, he’s not lying.
But being an overnight success is a long way from being a long-term artist. That much is obvious from Chingy’s middling sophomore disc Powerballin’. Like St. Louis homeboy Nelly and Atlanta protege Ludacris, Chingy has a tangy delivery, sing-songy hooks, plenty of crispy Dirty South whump — and few original ideas. Plus he’s no great shakes as a lyricist and doesn’t exactly burn up the mic with his skills. Being a lightweight party rapper is nothing to be ashamed of. But with Powerballin’, it seems like Chingy’s party is slowly but surely losing momentum.
