Chinga Chang Records

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 KRS-One, 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, KRS-One, and Big Pun. The first single off the album, Rakim's "Original Style", was also made into an unreleased cartoon.[3]

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]

• 2006: Chang Gang Vol. 1: Stackin' Euros by Various Artists (KRS-One, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price)
• 2007: Half a Klip by Kool G Rap
• 2007: The Official Joints LP by Various Artists (Rakim, Masta Ace, J Live, Guru, Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, and Big Pun)[16]
• 2014: Reparations by Lil Scrappy[16]
• 2014: Potential Genius by Rych
• 2020: Walk By Faith by ELCAMINO

• 2006: "Meal of the Day" by Temp
• 2013: "Sour Patch Kid" by D Rock Star ft. DMAK
• 2013: You Only Live Once" by D Rock Star
• 2013: "They Hate Me" by Lil' Scrappy ft. Young Buck[16]
• 2013: "Juicy On My Mind" by Lil' Scrappy
• 2014: "Strange Fruit" by King Joe
• 2014: "Witness" by 9Gotti
• 2014: "Imagination" by Rych
• 2014: "Need I Say More" by Rych