Chingy

American hip-hop has always looked one way or the other, East Coast or West Coast. It stands in the middle of the country and chooses what it likes, the harder, more rap-like beats from the East, or the catchier, more rock-like beats of the West. It stands in a place where it's assumed that nobody listens to hip-hop, where old country-boys listen to Kenny Rodgers, and young every-days listen to John Mayer. The St. Louis Arch is there, "The Gateway to the West," or the East if you happen to be looking the other way.

But it's right there, in that unexpected place, that some of today's strongest and most original hip-hop comes from. In the last ten years, the Arch has produced artists such as Ludacris and Nelly, artists whose beats combine the best of the East and the West, combine them into a new, fresher version of hip-hop, a version characterized by bouncy, hook-driven melodies and everyday lyrics. And now comes Chingy.

Chingy burst onto the hip-hop scene in 2003, creating hits such as "Right Thurr," "Holidae In," "One Call Away," "Pullin' Me Back" and "Dem Jeans." He was on the road from August, 2006 to January, 2007, taking his unique blend of East Coast and West Coast influences, and his ability to make catchy, accessible songs that retain the spirit of the street, across America.

If "Gateway Rap" is the future of hip-hop, Chingy is its new leader. The hip-hop world awaits his new efforts, awaits his next tour. Contact Ticketsmyway.com for details on when and where to find Chingy live, or pick up his latest album, "Hoodstar," in stores now.

With talents such as Chingy, it won't be long before American hip-hop stops looking to the coasts, and begins looking at itself right where it is, in the middle of America. Get your tickets!