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
Chamillionaire Speaks...
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ay man, you know what? Life is real crazy man
It's crazy how life is like a full circle
You know, back in the day, I used to look at my life
I used to just think into the future
And think that I was going to be a basketball player, NBA player
I used to wake up every morning, go out play basketball everyday
Told myself I was going to go to the NBA, nobody was going to stop me
Who would of thought? Over a 1 million records later I realise
The best basketball player, the smartest person in class
The baddest broad in the whole entire school
Everybody that used to be capping on you, ain't got the ammunition to brag no more
So as you stand in the presence of me and the present
I can actually look back in the past
Think about all them little African jokes and laugh
Hahaha, where ya cash?
Don't try to be mad at me, I'm just trying to eat
No, really I'm trying to eat, like I pull up to the window
MacDonald's drive-through, you know what I'm talking bout
I'm asking for the number 4, Supersize
And guess who I see, *Who you see?*
Somebody who used to talk bad bout me
See, you don't even want to show no gratitude
You want to pass me my food with a attitude
Like "Here, have it dude!"
I'm like, "Maaan, can I get some napkins fool?"
Now that's cool, that's cool, that's cool
Then I hand you a twenty, and as I tell you to keep the change
When I drive off the BALLING license plates must ironically make you feel strange
But you ain't got to hold your head down in shame
You just got to get out there and get on top of your game
You know what I'm talking about man?
Cause that's what I did, it's a grind, that's what I always claim
And one more thing, remember the name
Chamillitary mane
The lyrics to Chamillionaire's song "Platinum All-Stars" featuring Bun B and Lil' Flip reflect on the idea that life is unpredictable and often far different from what one may have imagined in the past. Chamillionaire reminisces about his dreams of becoming an NBA player but ultimately became a rapper, and through his success in music, he has been able to reflect on his past experiences with a sense of pride and accomplishment. He comments on how those who used to make fun of him no longer have the same ammunition to brag as he drives off with "BALLING" license plates making them feel strange. However, he also emphasizes the importance of maintaining positivity and striving for success regardless of one's past experiences.
Throughout the song, Chamillionaire also addresses the idea of gratitude and how one's past experiences should not limit their potential for success. He comments on his encounter at McDonald's with someone who used to talk badly about him and how rather than showing appreciation for his success, they instead had an attitude towards him. He emphasizes the importance of remaining humble and grateful for the opportunities and success that one has achieved.
Overall, the lyrics of "Platinum All-Stars" reflect on themes of personal growth, perseverance, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay man, you know what? Life is real crazy man
Life is unpredictable and often takes unexpected turns.
It's crazy how life is like a full circle
Life has a way of coming back around to where it all started.
You know, back in the day, I used to look at my life
Chamillionaire used to reflect on his life and envision his future.
I used to just think into the future
He was focused on his future aspirations.
And think that I was going to be a basketball player, NBA player
Chamillionaire once dreamed of playing professional basketball.
I used to wake up every morning, go out play basketball everyday
He was committed to practicing and improving his basketball skills daily.
Told myself I was going to go to the NBA, nobody was going to stop me
Chamillionaire was determined to achieve his basketball dreams, regardless of any obstacles.
Wasn't a realistic dream, I ended up changing, I ended up being a rapper
He eventually realized that his basketball dream wasn't feasible, and he switched gears to become a rapper.
Who would of thought? Over a 1 million records later I realise
Chamillionaire reflects on his success as a rapper, which he couldn't have predicted during his basketball days.
The best basketball player, the smartest person in class
Chamillionaire recalls how others used to excel in different areas, but he has now surpassed them in his own way.
The baddest broad in the whole entire school
In high school, the popular girls were considered the 'baddest,' but now he has surpassed them in success.
Everybody that used to be capping on you, ain't got the ammunition to brag no more
Those who used to insult and belittle Chamillionaire can no longer boast, since he has now achieved success.
So as you stand in the presence of me and the present
Chamillionaire is proud of his current status and wants others to recognize his accomplishments.
I can actually look back in the past
He can look back on his past and see how far he has come.
Think about all them little African jokes and laugh
He finds humor in how others used to insult him and his heritage, now that he has outperformed them.
Hahaha, where ya cash?
He is now successful and has the upper hand, while others may be struggling.
Don't try to be mad at me, I'm just trying to eat
He is not trying to incite anger or jealousy—just trying to make a living.
No, really I'm trying to eat, like I pull up to the window
His success is not about showing off or being flashy—it's about survival and sustenance.
MacDonald's drive-through, you know what I'm talking bout
He's referencing a common, relatable experience of getting fast food.
I'm asking for the number 4, Supersize
He's ordering a specific fast food meal that he likes.
And guess who I see, *Who you see?*
He encounters someone who used to belittle him, adding to the irony of the situation.
Somebody who used to talk bad bout me
This person was once an antagonist to Chamillionaire.
See, you don't even want to show no gratitude
The person working at the fast food restaurant is not showing appreciation for Chamillionaire's order.
You want to pass me my food with a attitude
The person is acting rudely towards him.
Like 'Here, have it dude!'
The person is dismissive and unappreciative.
I'm like, 'Maaan, can I get some napkins fool?'
Chamillionaire is asking for a reasonable request, considering he's ordering fast food.
Now that's cool, that's cool, that's cool
He's brushing off the incident.
Then I hand you a twenty, and as I tell you to keep the change
Chamillionaire still has the upper hand, despite not receiving good service.
When I drive off the BALLING license plates must ironically make you feel strange
His personalized license plates indicate his success, which is ironic given the rude treatment he received.
But you ain't got to hold your head down in shame
Despite not having as much success as Chamillionaire, the fast food worker shouldn't feel worthless.
You just got to get out there and get on top of your game
Chamillionaire is encouraging the worker (and others) to pursue their own dreams and careers.
You know what I'm talking about man?
He's speaking from experience and offering wise advice.
Cause that's what I did, it's a grind, that's what I always claim
Chamillionaire worked hard to get where he is today and often talks about the importance of determination and persistence.
And one more thing, remember the name
Despite facing obstacles and being underestimated, Chamillionaire has made a name for himself and wants others to acknowledge that.
Chamillitary mane
He closes the song by reminding listeners of his stage name.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind