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
Answer Machine 3
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just reached the answer machine
When you call me, I'm never answerin
Umm, I be always hustlin, so that's the reason that I'm gone
So maybe you will understand, why I can't pick up the phone
(Leave a message)
[Verse 1 - Chamillionaire]
American Idol, a professional show (woo)
Givin you a vote and it's impressive to know
When she open her mouth that she was destined to blow (whoa)
How you tell me you ain't impressed with my dough?
This ain't the type of money you done messed with before
Stretchin the dough (dough), best with the flow (flow)
Sick the way I spit, they say I'm blessed with a cold
Touchin your body, leave your flesh with a glow
Chasin the Pussycat and tryin to get with Nicole
Really that's a myth, my confession is no (no)
Really I'm on the grind and tryin to get with the dough (dough)
Game's to be sold, can you dig what I'm sellin?
If it's a crime, they gon' say that I'm felon
Sexual eruption, you eruptin like seven
While I'm singin out, I just want to +F You+ like Devin
Lights, cameras, action, I hope you're not Ellen
Talk show, is exactly what you're not gettin
Money's my cologne and the scent that I'm smellin
So gold diggin women say my scent is like heaven, heaven, heaven
Shocked when I knocked her
Love my company, but that's a Gamble like Proctor
Before your boyfriend sneak up on you like 'got ya!' (got ya)
Better straighten up like posture
[Chorus - Chamillionaire]
I'm not your - baby
Your baby, your baby, your baby
I'm not your - baby
Your baby, your baby, your baby
And you so - crazy
So crazy, so crazy, so crazy
And you so - crazy
So crazyyyyy
You really need to stop callin my phone
[Break - Woman - talking]
Hello?
So why are you not answerin the phone
You said you were going to call me right back
And it's been like a minute and a half
And I don't know why you would say you would call me right back
If right back, isn't right back
I mean when I say I'm going to call you right back
I call you right, back
And I mean I just don't understand why your not answering the phone
If you don't want to talk to me
It's like why ...
[Verse 2 - Chamillionaire]
Errr, message erased, got to get to the cake
You actin like a billion is easy to make
Other rappers out there tryin to get an estate
That's a house, while I'm out tryin to get me a state
Uh, so now you tryin to get all of my case
And I just met you last week, you should try brakes
Slow yourself down, now I'm ready to migrate
Should have never hit you back on myspace
(I'm not your baby)
[Break - Woman - talking]
So I'm, I'm still waitin for you to call me back
I don't know what you're doing
What you're not doing, who you're with
Like, you need to talk to me, okay?
We need some, we have to talk about some things
I miss you, I haven't seen you
It's been like, three days
And I just want to know where you are
I just want to hear your voice
You know like, you have no idea how it makes me feel
Knowing that your doing, whatever your doing
You know, and, and your not checking on me
And I'm checking on you
I want somebody to call me
The way I call you, I mean I can ...
[Verse 3 - Chamillionaire]
Errr, message erased, you ain't even my chick (chick)
And three days ago, you saw the profile pic (pic)
On the internet, talkin like you legit
And a Stan is a man, but you must be a Sis
Better bother Rapper Rick, or go call K.J.
Better call Masa or pick up May Bay
Go and call Tyson or go call Ray J
Call Hurricane and he might say (A Bay Bay)
[Outro - Operator Recording]
"The number you have reached is not in service at this time
And there is no new number
Please be sure you have checked the telephone directory for the right number
And you are dialing correctly
This is a recording
If you need help, you need help, hang up, hang up
And then di, and then di, and then di" [echo]
[Female voice:] Chamillitary mayne
Chamillionaire's song "Answer Machine 3" discusses the struggles of maintaining a relationship while balancing a career in the music industry. The artist begins the song by telling the listener that they have reached his answering machine because he is always hustling and may not be able to answer their call. The artist then goes on to reflect on his financial success and the difficulties it often causes when attempting to build a genuine connection with someone. He discusses the high expectations that come with wealth and the desperation that some people will have to obtain it.
In the chorus, Chamillionaire tells the listener that he is not their baby and that they need to stop calling him. He finishes the song with an operator recording stating that the number they have dialed is not in service and instructing the listener to hang up.
Overall, Answer Machine 3 is a cautionary tale about the struggles of balancing fame, fortune, and personal life. It highlights the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining your independence, even when others, especially those with ulterior motives, seek to disrupt that balance.
Line by Line Meaning
You just reached the answer machine
This is an automated message system that was triggered after failing to pick up your call.
When you call me, I'm never answerin
I don't have the time to take personal calls because I'm too busy hustling.
Umm, I be always hustlin, so that's the reason that I'm gone
I'm always busy working hard, which is why I'm not available to answer your call.
So maybe you will understand, why I can't pick up the phone
I hope you can sympathize and accept that I cannot answer your call due to my busy schedule.
Yes she's a pro (pro), sex and a slow (slow)
She is an expert in the art of seduction, taking her time to ensure maximum pleasure.
American Idol, a professional show (woo)
Comparing her performance to the popular talent show American Idol, she demonstrates exceptional skills.
Givin you a vote and it's impressive to know
Her performance is so impressive that it's worthy of a winning vote.
When she open her mouth that she was destined to blow (whoa)
Her vocals are so amazing that you know she was born to perform.
Game's to be sold, can you dig what I'm sellin?
I have a product or service to offer, are you willing to buy what I'm selling?
Before your boyfriend sneak up on you like 'got ya!' (got ya)
Don't let your boyfriend catch you in a compromising position with me because it could end badly.
Better straighten up like posture
You need to get your act together and avoid any potential problems that could arise from our interaction.
Errr, message erased, got to get to the cake
Sorry I missed your call, but I have to focus on making money instead of answering messages.
Other rappers out there tryin to get an estate
Most rappers are focused on buying a nice house, but my goals are much bigger than that.
I'm not your baby
I don't want you to think that we're in a romantic relationship or that you have any special claim over me.
So now you tryin to get all of my case
You're trying to be too controlling or nosy about my life.
I just want to hear your voice
I miss talking to you and just hearing the sound of your voice.
Better call Hurricane and he might say (A Bay Bay)
If you're looking for a good time, try calling Hurricane and he may have some fun experiences to offer.
Chamillitary mayne
This is Chamillionaire's tagline, signifying the end of the song.
Contributed by Claire K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.