Chinga Chang Records

Chinga Chang Records is an independent hip hop record label associated with Philadelphia and founded in 2003 by Philadelphia native Dan Herman, also known as DMAK. The label began as a boutique operation and later developed a broader presence through offices or business activity in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida. Its catalog has combined original releases by signed artists with compilation projects and mixtapes built around previously unreleased or hard-to-find material from established hip hop performers. The label’s first documented single was “Meal of the Day” by Temp, released in July 2006. The track received attention in Bollywood, giving the small label an early connection to an audience outside the conventional United States hip hop market. Chinga Chang followed that release with Chang Gang Vol. 1: Stackin’ Euros, a mixtape featuring previously unheard material associated with artists including KRS-One, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price. The project was supported by music videos for each track, including a video for Sean Price’s “Ground Wit Ur Niggazz” filmed in Brownsville, Brooklyn. A major turning point came in 2006, when Herman signed veteran rapper Kool G Rap. Chinga Chang backed the development of Kool G Rap’s first studio album in nearly a decade, Half a Klip, which was produced by DJ Premier and included vocals by actress Haylie Duff. The label subsequently arranged a distribution agreement for the album with Koch Entertainment. Half a Klip became the label’s best-known album project and positioned Chinga Chang as a small imprint working with a historically important hip hop artist and prominent outside collaborators. In June 2007, the label released The Official Joints LP as a digital download. The compilation drew on unreleased recordings connected with artists such as Rakim, Masta Ace, J-Live, Guru, the Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, and Big Pun. A planned animated treatment for Rakim’s “Original Style” was also associated with the project, although the cartoon was not released. These compilations established a catalog strategy centered on archival, unreleased, and exclusive hip hop material as well as conventional artist releases. Chinga Chang became more active in artist signings during 2013 and 2014. The label publicly discussed, and then withdrew, a proposed deal involving former Nickelodeon actress Amanda Bynes. It subsequently signed D Rock Star, whose first Chinga Chang single was “Sour Patch Kid,” and entered into arrangements involving G4 Boyz, Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, and Atlanta rapper Lil’ Scrappy. The Cassidy agreement ended after a few weeks because of artistic differences, while Lil’ Scrappy joined the label in November 2013. Planned or announced projects from this period included Lil’ Scrappy’s Reparations, D Rock Star’s American Dream, and releases by artists such as 9Gotti, King Joe, and Rych. The discography attributed to the label also includes Rych’s Potential Genius and ELCAMINO’s Walk By Faith, alongside its earlier mixtapes, singles, and Kool G Rap album. Publicly available reference material documents the label’s releases and historical activity, but does not establish its current operating status, ownership structure, active roster, or headquarters beyond its Philadelphia association. Chinga Chang is therefore best described as an independent hip hop label with a documented period of activity from the mid-2000s through at least 2020, while its present-day status remains unconfirmed.

Chinga Chang Records was founded in Philadelphia in 2003 by Dan Herman, also known as DMAK. Herman established the company as a boutique independent hip hop label and later developed offices or operations in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida. The label's early strategy combined artist releases with compilation and mixtape projects designed to showcase exclusive or previously unreleased recordings. The first documented single was Temp's “Meal of the Day,” released in July 2006. The track reportedly became popular in Bollywood, giving Chinga Chang an early international audience. The label also released Chang Gang Vol. 1: Stackin' Euros in 2006. The mixtape featured previously unheard tracks associated with KRS-One, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price. Chinga Chang commissioned videos connected to each track, including a Brownsville, Brooklyn-shot video for Sean Price's “Ground Wit Ur Niggazz.” In 2006, Herman signed Kool G Rap. Chinga Chang supported the veteran rapper's return to the studio after a lengthy gap and released Half a Klip in 2007. The album was produced by DJ Premier and included vocals by Haylie Duff. The label later secured distribution for the project through Koch Entertainment. The album became the central release in the label's documented catalog and helped associate the imprint with established figures from hip hop's earlier generations. Chinga Chang continued its compilation approach with The Official Joints LP, released as a digital download in June 2007. The project included unreleased material connected with Rakim, Masta Ace, J-Live, Guru, the Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, and Big Pun. A cartoon for Rakim's “Original Style” was planned but remained unreleased. The label's activity broadened in 2013. Chinga Chang publicly announced an offer to Amanda Bynes, but Herman later retracted it after Bynes did not attend a planned meeting involving Wyclef Jean. The label instead signed D Rock Star, who released “Sour Patch Kid.” Chinga Chang also signed G4 Boyz and announced a deal with Cassidy. The Cassidy arrangement dissolved within weeks, with Herman attributing the breakdown to artistic differences. On November 1, 2013, Lil' Scrappy signed with Chinga Chang. The label released or announced songs including “They Hate Me,” featuring Young Buck, and “Juicy On My Mind,” while an album titled Reparations was planned for distribution through Sony. In 2014, the label announced D Rock Star's American Dream, signed 9Gotti, and listed releases by King Joe and Rych. The attributed discography also includes Rych's Potential Genius and ELCAMINO's 2020 album Walk By Faith. Public sources document releases, signings, distribution relationships, and several proposed projects, but they do not confirm Chinga Chang Records' present operating status, current ownership, active roster, or current executive team beyond Dan Herman's historical role. The label should therefore be treated as a historically documented independent hip hop imprint whose current status is unknown.

• 2020

  Walk By Faith listed in the catalog

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  ELCAMINO's Walk By Faith is listed as a Chinga Chang Records album.

• 2014

  9Gotti joins the roster

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Atlanta rapper 9Gotti signed with Chinga Chang after releasing a label single.

• 2013

  Expansion of artist-signing activity

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label announced or completed arrangements involving D Rock Star, G4 Boyz, Cassidy, and Lil' Scrappy.

• 2007

  Half a Klip released

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label released Kool G Rap's Half a Klip and arranged distribution through Koch Entertainment.

• 2007

  The Official Joints LP released

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Chinga Chang issued a digital compilation containing unreleased material associated with numerous established hip hop artists.

• 2006

  First documented single released

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label released Temp's “Meal of the Day,” which reportedly gained popularity in Bollywood.

• 2006

  Kool G Rap signs with the label

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Chinga Chang signed Kool G Rap and began work on Half a Klip.

• 2003

  Label founded in Philadelphia

  [1]Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Dan Herman founded Chinga Chang Records as a boutique independent hip hop label.

An independent, artist-focused hip hop imprint combining new artist releases with exclusive, archival, and previously unreleased recordings from established rap artists.

• Mixtape · 2006

  Chang Gang Vol. 1: Stackin' Euros

  A 2006 compilation mixtape built around previously unreleased material associated with KRS-One, Ras Kass, Big Pun, and Sean Price. Chinga Chang supported the project with videos for the tracks, including a Sean Price video filmed in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

• Studio album · 2007

  Half a Klip

  Kool G Rap's 2007 album and the label's most prominent documented artist project. Chinga Chang backed the rapper's return to a studio album after nearly a decade, with production by DJ Premier and vocals by Haylie Duff. Distribution was arranged through Koch Entertainment.

• Digital compilation · 2007

  The Official Joints LP

  A 2007 digital compilation featuring unreleased recordings associated with artists including Rakim, Masta Ace, J-Live, Guru, the Beatnuts, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, and Big Pun. The project reflected Chinga Chang's interest in archival and exclusive hip hop material.

• Planned studio album · 2014

  Reparations

  A Lil' Scrappy album announced for release through Chinga Chang during the label's 2013–2014 expansion. Associated singles included “They Hate Me,” featuring Young Buck, and “Juicy On My Mind.” The supplied reference material does not establish the project's final release status.

• Studio album · 2014

  Potential Genius

  An album by Rych listed in the label's discography. Available reference material identifies the title and year but does not provide additional information about its recording, commercial performance, or distribution.

• Studio album · 2020

  Walk By Faith

  An album by ELCAMINO listed among Chinga Chang Records releases in 2020. The available material confirms its inclusion in the catalog but does not describe its creative direction or distribution arrangements.

• 2013

  Withdraw Amanda Bynes recording offerOther

  Background

  Chinga Chang had publicly discussed offering Amanda Bynes a recording deal after Dan Herman consulted with outside entertainment parties.

  Action taken

  Herman retracted the offer after Bynes did not attend a planned meeting involving Wyclef Jean.

  Aftermath

  The label signed D Rock Star instead, and D Rock Star later released “Sour Patch Kid,” a track directed at Bynes.

  Source

• 2013

  End Cassidy agreementOther

  Background

  Chinga Chang announced a deal with Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, with Wyclef Jean and DJ Premier expected to contribute to a planned project.

  Action taken

  The label ended the arrangement several weeks later after Herman cited artistic differences.

  Aftermath

  Chinga Chang shifted its immediate signing focus to Lil' Scrappy and other artists.

  Source

• 2007

  Release archival compilation material digitallyProduct launch

  Background

  The label had developed a catalog model that included exclusive and previously unreleased material from established rap artists.

  Action taken

  Chinga Chang released The Official Joints LP as a digital download.

  Aftermath

  The project extended the label's compilation-focused catalog and featured material associated with multiple influential hip hop artists.

  Source

• 2006

  Back Kool G Rap's studio returnStrategy

  Background

  Kool G Rap had not released a studio album in nearly a decade, creating an opportunity for the independent label to work with an established hip hop artist.

  Action taken

  Dan Herman signed Kool G Rap, backed the development of Half a Klip, and arranged later distribution through Koch Entertainment.

  Aftermath

  Half a Klip became the label's most prominent documented album project and expanded its profile within hip hop.

  Source

1. 1Chinga Chang Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Chinga Chang Records official websitechingachangmusic.com