After his parents, a Muslim father from Oyo State, Nigeria and a Christian mother from the United States, separated in his early teenage years, Chamillionaire settled into a notoriously dangerous inner-city neighborhood in North Houston called Acres Homes, which he elaborated upon during an interview with Houston's 104.9 KPTY on October 3. Rap and other forms of secular music, which his parents had highly opposed in their household, became very appealing to the young Hakeem Seriki. Inspired by local rap acts such as The Geto Boys, 8 Ball & MJG, and UGK, as well as other national acts such as N.W.A. and Public Enemy, Chamillionaire began to compose his own ponies.
At a young age, Chamillionaire along with fellow rap music artist and childhood friend Paul Wall, had decided to make music their careers. One day while promoting themselves at a Texas event, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire ran into Michael 5000 Watts, a popular mixtape DJ from the Northside. After proposing to do promotions for Watts' company, the Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to Watts' studio and convinced Watts to allow them freestyle on an intro to Watts' radio show on Houston’s 97.9 The Box. Watts, who himself was convinced to rap on the record, enjoyed the freestyle so much that he put the verses on one of his mixtapes. The freestyle became so popular in the streets that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts' mixtapes, and became permanent members of Swishahouse.
Although Paul Wall and Chamillionaire were making much noise in the streets by rapping on Watts' mixtapes, they, along with several other members of the Swishahouse, became frustrated with the lack of money they were receiving from the mixtapes. After fellow member Slim Thug left the label, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall followed and started their own mixtape group known as The Color Changin' Click. Each successive mixtape released by The Color Changin' Click led to more business opportunities; the most notable of which being a contract to do a full album for Paid in Full Records. A one album contract was then negotiated between the Color Changin' Click and Paid in Full's label head, DJ Madd Hatta from 97.9 The Box, and the CCC's first album, Get Ya Mind Correct, would go on to sell over 100,000 copies.
The sale of all these albums without the backing of a major deal caught the attention of several major labels wanting to sign Chamillionaire and Paul. Chamillionaire and his labelmates decided to remain independent, however, until the right deal came along. While working on his second album with the Color Changin' Click, Chamillionaire began to have creative differences with Paul Wall, so much so that it was decided that the two emcees should each release solo albums that would be packaged together. When Chamillionaire became dissatisfied with how things were being resolved, he left Paid in Full and his almost complete album after fulfilling his contractual obligations to focus on promoting his mixtape label Chamillitary instead. As a kid, Chamillionaire was a big fan of MANKind, also known as Big June.
Chamillionaire's Myspace
This kid from Houston, Texas has some nerve. That's what came to mind as you watched an MTV special in early 2005 showcasing H-Town's commercial and artistic re-emergence on the rap scene. Following his brazen freestyle, the focused and much-heralded MC known as Chamillionaire faced a national audience and launched a swagger-filled proclamation on camera: "I'm the truth from Texas..." While such boasting may seem par-for-the-course in the prideful 25-year-plus history of hip-hop, the latter ambitious statement aptly describes Chamillionaire. It's the reason why he earned the lofty alias "The Mixtape Messiah," a title Cham was crowned after independently selling over 100,000 copies of the Get Ya Mind Correct album, and by selling thousands of his numerous mix tapes. It's why the former member of Houston's legendary mix-tape power Swisha House garnered coverage in such major hip-hop publications as Source and XXL without the backing of a major deal. When the Houston lyricist set off a major label bidding war to distribute his Chamillitary Records, it became abundantly clear throughout the 'hood and the music industry Chamillionaire is indeed the truth.
With his major-label debut The Sound Of Revenge set for release on Universal Records, Chamillionaire is poised to take his place among Houston's current hip-hop elite, including the new generation of rhyme-spitters such as Lil' Flip, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and Paul Wall, as well respected vets UGK and Scarface. "You call out a lot of rappers and ask them why they are the best and they are going to tell you everything but the music," Cham laughs. "They will tell you that they are the best because they have some nice rims, a chain, and a mansion." He then adds in a straight-no-chaser tone, "You've heard all the hype about Chamillionaire; that he's sick with the lyrics, sings hooks, and represents the streets and the clubs. But I just want to come as close as possible to living up to my reputation."
Chamillionaire recruits an impressive list of talent on his debut effort, including Lil' Flip, Bun B, Scarface, and Krayzie Bone, as well as in-demand producers Scott Storch (50 Cent), Mannie Fresh (Lil' Wayne, Baby, Juvenile) and Cool & Dre (The Game). But, it's his work with Atlanta studio kings The Beat Bullies (1Big Boi/OutKast) that sets the tone for much of The Sound Of Revenge's diverse platform. "They understand me," Cham says of the in-house producers. "There are a lot of producers that have dope beats, but they don't know me as an artist. [The Beat Bullies] being from Atlanta, can take it to the strip clubs, the streets and to the radio."
The name Chamillionaire represents the unique style that defines the talented urban artist, and his ability to change and adapt on the fly, forcing people to respect the true breadth of his talent. And just as this MC moniker exemplifies, Chamillionaire is anything but predictable and most certainly versatile. "Picture Perfect" featuring Bun B comes off as a lyrical nod to the classic 'hood swagger of UGK, while the Beat Bullies'-anchored "Radio Interruption" showcases Cham's prowess for walking the blurred line between street praise and mass appeal. The storytelling brilliance of "No Snitching" (Cool & Dre), finds Cham detailing the unwritten laws of 'hood politics. On the Scott Storch produced "Turn It Up," Cham tag-teams with freestyle king Lil' Flip as they spit over an infectious track that is Houston's answer to a summer club banger. And the soulful "Here Comes The Rain" finds Chamillionaire exploring the daily struggles of life with heartfelt lyricism and ghetto angst.
"It's a very personal song and the title says it all," Cham says of the revealing track. "In a person's life the rain symbolizes the struggles we all go through. Whether you are dealing with losing a loved one or your rent is due on the 1st, but it's the 3rd and you don't have it. I'm just talking about surviving the tough times."
Chamillionaire has definitely seen his share of struggles on his road to redemption. Born to a Muslim father and Christian mother, secular music was banned in his household. Chamillionaire was barely a teenager when he moved to a low-income neighborhood in the notorious North Side of Houston, following the separation of his parents. By the early '90s, however, rap rebels such as NWA, Public Enemy, as well as hometown heroes The Geto Boys, 8-Ball & MJG and UGK would inspire a young Hakeem to write his own rhymes.
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Chamillionaire's Myspace
Already Dead
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you missed me
You're a mean little fella aren't you?
You hungry?
Chamillitary mayne
Here lizard lizard lizard
Major pain major pain
Here lizard lizard lizard
Here lizard lizard lizard
Hustles and my players let's talk to these haters do
your boy a favor turn right to your neighbors
We got of the majors but still doing major nobody can
save ya when Koopa bring that major pain
Here we go
Nah I won't let them turn me pop even though my little
niece like Justin Beiber
Yeah I made that song Ridin Dirty but that should let
ya know that I clutch a heater
Yeah I got played by Michael Jordan and I swear MJ he such a diva
Moral of the story is I don't care cuz yeah I'm still
here plus I don't need ya
Yeah I met a girl at taco bell that slipped me her number in a fajita
Funny thing is ain't order that I took that hoe back and got her beat up
Why I gotta get back on my throne on and keep turning
these fake fans to believers
Yeah I got a car(?) from my major label I swear hung up tha receiver
Do you wanna be successful so bad that you know you would do it ever?
Would you be the one to jump the ship to be safe or
hold that ship together?
Would be the chicks that try to leave once you can't live like Cinderella?
Would you be broke and chill with god or you would
be rich and with the devil?
What you gonna do when the music stops or would you still do this accapela?
That decision is really yours and it really ain't much that I could tell ya
What I know is that I ain't you and my words I'll be the realest ever
Chamillitary will rain forever just know I ain't talking about the weather
Right and then left right and then left march with
me forever soldier take another step
Right and then left right and then left march with
me forever soldier take another step
This is for you know who and don't you ever be mislead
I know just how I said it and I meant just what I just said
I feel as good as ever when I hop outta my bed
Baby you ain't living life you must be already dead
The intro to Chamillionaire's song "Already Dead" starts with a conversation with his lizard. The lyrics are a metaphor for the music industry, where he is the lizard and the major labels and the haters are forcing him to conform to their expectations. The chorus "Here lizard, lizard, lizard" represents them calling him out to play their game. But Koopa (Chamillionaire's nickname) doesn't play by their rules. He talks to his fellow hustlers and players, asking them to turn to their neighbors and do him a favor by not becoming like the fake industry players. The line "Nobody can save ya when Koopa bring that major pain" implies that he's not afraid to speak the truth and take on the industry giants.
In the second verse, Chamillionaire declares that he won't let the industry turn him into a generic pop artist, even though his niece likes Justin Bieber. He's proud to have made the hit song "Ridin Dirty," which showcases his talent for rapping hard-hitting flow over catchy beats. He admits that he was played by Michael Jordan but he doesn't care. He met a girl at Taco Bell who slipped him her number in a fajita, and he took her back to his place and got her beat up. He reminds his fans that he doesn't need them, but he'll always be there for them.
The outro of the song features a chant-like chorus, which encourages listeners to march with him, right and then left. The lyrics imply that being successful in the music industry requires dedication and commitment, and one should be willing to risk it all for their dreams. The last line of the song "Baby you ain't living life, you must be already dead" serves as a reminder that living in fear of failure is a waste of time, and it's better to take a risk and pursue one's passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey there little fella
Friendly greeting to an unspecified small being
I know you missed me
Assumption that the small being was waiting for the singer to return
You're a mean little fella aren't you?
Observation of the small being's demeanor
You hungry?
Question about the small being's hunger level
Here lizard lizard lizard
Repeated call to lure a lizard
Here lizard lizard lizard
Repeated call to lure a lizard
Major pain major pain
Phrase that likely recalls the 1995 comedy movie 'Major Payne'
Here lizard lizard lizard
Repeated call to lure a lizard
Here lizard lizard lizard
Repeated call to lure a lizard
Hustles and my players let's talk to these haters do your boy a favor turn right to your neighbors
Encouragement to confront jealous critics and persuade them to recognize one's worth
We got of the majors but still doing major nobody can save ya when Koopa bring that major pain
Assertion of continued success and toughness in the face of adversity
Nah I won't let them turn me pop even though my little niece like Justin Beiber
Refusal to compromise one's artistic integrity for commercial gain
Yeah I made that song Ridin Dirty but that should let ya know that I clutch a heater
Implied warning to anyone trying to take advantage of the singer
Yeah I got played by Michael Jordan and I swear MJ he such a diva
Humorous anecdote about a famous and demanding celebrity
Moral of the story is I don't care cuz yeah I'm still here plus I don't need ya
Summary of the singer's independence and resilience
Yeah I met a girl at taco bell that slipped me her number in a fajita
Unexpected romantic encounter in an everyday location
Funny thing is ain't order that I took that hoe back and got her beat up
Admission of questionable behavior and consequences
Why I gotta get back on my throne on and keep turning these fake fans to believers
Task of retaining authenticity and converting doubtful fans to supporters
Yeah I got a car(?) from my major label I swear hung up tha receiver
Unspecified anecdote about a record label's gesture
Do you wanna be successful so bad that you know you would do it ever?
Question about the extent to which one would pursue success
Would you be the one to jump the ship to be safe or hold that ship together?
Dilemma of abandoning one's principles for personal gain or remaining loyal to a cause
Would be the chicks that try to leave once you can't live like Cinderella?
Question about the loyalty of romantic partners during difficult times
Would you be broke and chill with god or you would be rich and with the devil?
Debate between living virtuously but modestly or compromising morals for wealth and power
What you gonna do when the music stops or would you still do this accapela?
Question about the long-term prospects of a music career and the possibility of adapting to change
That decision is really yours and it really ain't much that I could tell ya
Acknowledgement of the personal nature of decision-making
What I know is that I ain't you and my words I'll be the realest ever
Assurance of the singer's sincerity and uniqueness
Chamillitary will rain forever just know I ain't talking about the weather
Confident claim of the singer's enduring legacy
Right and then left right and then left march with me forever soldier take another step
Rousing call to action and solidarity
Right and then left right and then left march with me forever soldier take another step
Repeated rousing call to action and solidarity
This is for you know who and don't you ever be mislead
Unspecified message for a particular individual or group and a warning against deception
I know just how I said it and I meant just what I just said
Assurance of the sincerity and intentionality of a prior message
I feel as good as ever when I hop outta my bed
Positive self-assessment of physical and emotional well-being
Baby you ain't living life you must be already dead
Exhortation to live fully and avoid complacency
Contributed by Sarah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@soccer4brazil
this guy is so under rated.. this vid should have 10m+ views.
@keithspindel9414
"It's safe for u know who and don't u ever be misled. My feelings good as ever"
@EddieSaunsoci
Chamillionaire is the one of the few MC's that can drop some material after like a 3 year hiatus and still Rock like he never left. Cham is soooooo under rated, his lyrics, bar structure, flow, and overall presents is unmatched in the south, and for HipHop as a whole, he's top tier easily. But yet he gets no love from the mainstream, But yet his fanbase keeps him as relevant as mainstream artist. Cham is a new breed of Hip Hop, RESPECT is Given where it is due, and Cham gets respect!
@Pete1555
MY FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE MIXTAPE!
@davidmolina8136
I fucks with the beat
@DaPrimeRemedy
this beat..damn
@Specialzify
BomB... My speaker always bleeds to this intro anyday!!!
@Sc9on
SICK INTRO!. this is a sample from the intro song to the movie dead silence if anybody wanted to know lol.
@ADMESSIAH
Love the dark sound of this track, nice!
@Zthe4thKind24
CHAMILLITARY!!!