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
Big Deal
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Verse 1 - Chamillionaire]
Uh, I'm kinda like a big deal
The reason they gettin pissed is 'cause I'm still liftin fifth wheel
The mission was to get mills
No risk 'cause I get chips so it ain't need to wish steel
So y'all gon' have to fall back
The suit I'm in is boss black
Don't get a round of applause 'cause the heater always on clap
And when I'm, ridin I never rent 'em
Cars' black so I tint 'em, need haters so I invent 'em
I love it baby like Vegas the way I get 'em
Pockets' deep so I stay with a stack of chips in my denim
Soon as I hit the streets, they was sayin I'm (The One)
Soon as I got in beef, tried to tell me I was done
Soon as I put it down, I hear everybody come
Only (King) that's as "Trill" in the (Underground) is Bun
[Chorus - Chamillionaire]
They whisperin about me but can't nobody stop me
How the bootleggers got me? I ain't even got a copy
Pardon me I must say, I'm kinda like a big deal
[Verse 2 - Chamillionaire]
See Uncle Sam must of not been really talkin to me
They told me to hit the Army and "be all I can be"
So I hit the studio and went and talked to the beat
And they told me to get the cheese like it's all you can eat
See if you ain't really hungry, then you boys should retreat
One out of thirteen called part of a fleet
I'm ridin in somethin foreign that don't start with a key
I can't even much pronounce it but it start with a 'T'
You wanna chase money? I got varsity speed
But you can't school me like I balls in the league
Rollin with a ten, really hard 'cause of greed
They be yellin at the moon and still barkin at trees
Koopa vision like a martian that sees
I'm lookin down on the World like "get off of my D"
They told me to hustle hard but how hard can it be?
I drop on the internet but it's all for the streets
[Chorus]
The song "Big Deal" by Chamillionaire brilliantly showcases his confidence in his abilities as a successful rapper. In the first verse, he talks about how he has become a big deal in the rap industry and how he has never had to resort to violence because he has always been financially stable. Even though he has faced legal issues in the past, he still keeps going strong and remains stylish in his boss black suit. When he rides with his car, he never rents them as he has deep pockets and can afford to have a bunch of cars. Chamillionaire just loves it when he gets haters as it motivates him to be better. He has been compared to the only 'King' that is as 'Trill' in the 'Underground' and that is Bun.
The second verse talks about the struggles that rappers face in the industry. Chamillionaire mentions how Uncle Sam wanted him to join the Army and be all he can be, but instead, he went to the studio and talked to the beat. He talks about how rappers should be hungry for success and not just do it for the sake of it. Chamillionaire showcases his success when he talks about riding in a foreign car that doesn't even start with a key, and he has a hard time pronouncing the name. He is confident about making money and can outrun his competitors when it comes to hustling. When he drops music, he drops it for the streets, and not for the internet where people are easily forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, I'm kinda like a big deal
I am important and successful.
The reason they gettin pissed is 'cause I'm still liftin fifth wheel
They are jealous and angry because I am still prospering.
The mission was to get mills
My goal is to make a lot of money.
No risk 'cause I get chips so it ain't need to wish steel
I don't have to take risks because I have plenty of money already.
So y'all gon' have to fall back
You need to back off.
The fact they tried to take your boy to court and I fought back
They tried to sue me, but I resisted and defended myself.
The suit I'm in is boss black
I am wearing a high-quality and expensive suit.
Don't get a round of applause 'cause the heater always on clap
I don't need your approval because I always have a gun ready.
And when I'm, ridin I never rent 'em
I never rent cars when I'm driving.
Cars' black so I tint 'em, need haters so I invent 'em
I tint my black cars and create haters to motivate me.
I love it baby like Vegas the way I get 'em
I enjoy making money just like people enjoy gambling in Las Vegas.
Pockets' deep so I stay with a stack of chips in my denim
I have a lot of money so I always carry cash in my jeans.
Soon as I hit the streets, they was sayin I'm (The One)
As soon as I became famous, people called me 'The One.'
Soon as I got in beef, tried to tell me I was done
When I got into trouble, people thought I was finished.
Soon as I put it down, I hear everybody come
Once I achieved success, everyone started trying to be like me.
Only (King) that's as "Trill" in the (Underground) is Bun
The only other person as genuine in the music industry as me is Bun B.
They whisperin about me but can't nobody stop me
People gossip about me, but no one can hinder my success.
How the bootleggers got me? I ain't even got a copy
I am confused about how bootleggers obtained my music without me even having a copy of it.
Pardon me I must say, I'm kinda like a big deal
Excuse me for saying this, but I am very important.
See Uncle Sam must of not been really talkin to me
The government's message about joining the military did not apply to me.
They told me to hit the Army and "be all I can be"
They encouraged me to join the army and fulfill my potential.
So I hit the studio and went and talked to the beat
Instead of joining the army, I went to the recording studio.
And they told me to get the cheese like it's all you can eat
The music producers encouraged me to make as much money as possible.
See if you ain't really hungry, then you boys should retreat
If you're not as ambitious as me, you should give up.
One out of thirteen called part of a fleet
I am a successful rapper among many others in the industry.
I'm ridin in somethin foreign that don't start with a key
I am driving an expensive car that doesn't require a key to start.
I can't even much pronounce it but it start with a 'T'
I don't even know how to properly pronounce the name of my car, but it starts with a 'T.'
You wanna chase money? I got varsity speed
If you want to compete with me in making money, you'll have to be as fast and successful as me.
But you can't school me like I balls in the league
You can't teach me because I am already successful in my field, like a basketball player in the NBA.
Rollin with a ten, really hard 'cause of greed
I am surrounded by people who are extremely greedy and always want more money.
They be yellin at the moon and still barkin at trees
They are wasting their energy on pointless things and not paying attention to the real issues.
Koopa vision like a martian that sees
I have a unique perspective on life like an extraterrestrial.
I'm lookin down on the World like "get off of my D"
I am superior to others and they should stop bothering me.
They told me to hustle hard but how hard can it be?
People told me to work hard to achieve success, but it was not a difficult thing for me.
I drop on the internet but it's all for the streets
I release my music on the internet, but it really appeals to the streets and urban culture.
Contributed by Harper B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tunji Ade
Heard this when mm7 dropped. Still listening till this day.