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 Houstonβs 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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(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
Chamillionare 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
In this song, Chamillionaire speaks about the unpredictability of life and how everything can change in an instant. He starts by reminiscing about his childhood dream of becoming a basketball player and how he used to play every day with the hope of making it to the NBA. However, he ended up becoming a rapper, which was not his original dream. Chamillionaire then reflects on how success has changed his life and how those who used to make fun of him for his African heritage or his aspirations are now powerless to mock him as he has succeeded beyond what they ever thought possible.
The second part of the song is a humorous anecdote about a visit to a McDonald's drive-through where Chamillionaire encounters someone who used to insult him. Despite the individual's negative attitude towards him, Chamillionaire remains cool and collected, reinforcing the message that success is the best revenge. He then gives the listener some words of encouragement, telling them to keep striving for their dreams and to remember his name, Chamillitary Mane.
The lyrics of this song offer a valuable lesson about perseverance and the unpredictability of life. Chamillionaire's story reminds us that success does not always come in the way we expect it to, and that it is important to keep an open mind and continue to work hard towards our goals. Furthermore, the story reflects the common theme of overcoming adversity in hip-hop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay man, you know what? Life is real crazy man
Life is unpredictable and wild, man
It's crazy how life is like a full circle
It's amazing how life can come back around
You know, back in the day, I used to look at my life
In the past, I would reflect on my life
I used to just think into the future
I would envision myself in the future
And think that I was going to be a basketball player, NBA player
I believed that I would become a professional basketball player
I used to wake up every morning, go out play basketball everyday
I would play basketball daily with determination
Told myself I was going to go to the NBA, nobody was going to stop me
I made a promise to myself - to make it to the NBA, no matter what
Wasn't a realistic dream, I ended up changing, I ended up being a rapper
My dream was not feasible, so I ended up changing my occupation and became a rapper
Who would of thought? Over a 1 million records later I realise
I never would have thought that I would have sold over a million records
The best basketball player, the smartest person in class
Those who were considered the 'best' now see me as successful
The baddest broad in the whole entire school
Everyone who underestimated me back then, is now surprised by my success
Everybody that used to be capping on you, ain't got the ammunition to brag no more
Those who used to talk negatively about me have nothing to say now that I've reached success
So as you stand in the presence of me and the present
As you're here with me now in the current moment
I can actually look back in the past
I can reflect on my past experiences
Think about all them little African jokes and laugh
I can now look back on jokes made about me and find humor in it all
Hahaha, where ya cash?
Mockingly questioning those who used to talk negatively about me
Don't try to be mad at me, I'm just trying to eat
Don't be angry with me, I'm just trying to succeed
No, really I'm trying to eat, like I pull up to the window
I'm trying to succeed, and am giving an example of going to a drive-through
MacDonald's drive-through, you know what I'm talking bout
Specifically referencing the drive-through at McDonald's
I'm asking for the number 4, Supersize
Ordering a specific meal at the drive-through
And guess who I see, *Who you see?*
Encountering someone who had previously spoken negatively about me
See, you don't even want to show no gratitude
The person wasn't showing any appreciation or kindness towards me
You want to pass me my food with a attitude
Handing over the food rudely
Like "Here, have it dude!"
Giving the food off in an unkind manner
I'm like, "Maaan, can I get some napkins fool?"
Asking for napkins while trying to downplay the situation
Now that's cool, that's cool, that's cool
Continuing to brush off the negativity of others
Then I hand you a twenty, and as I tell you to keep the change
Paying for the food and generously tipping the worker
When I drive off the BALLING license plates must ironically make you feel strange
Driving away in a nice car with personalized license plates, which is a stark contrast to those who doubted me
But you ain't got to hold your head down in shame
Feeling proud of your success, and not letting others bring you down
You just got to get out there and get on top of your game
To succeed, one must focus and work tirelessly
You know what I'm talking about man?
Understand the mindset required to succeed
Cause that's what I did, it's a grind, that's what I always claim
I worked hard and never gave up, which is what it takes to succeed
And one more thing, remember the name
Never forget who I am, and the success that I have achieved
Chamillitary mane
A reference to the artist's name
Contributed by Isaac V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Wynn
this shit is fire... from the most underrated mixtape I've heard b4
Jeremiah El
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯Still banging this in 2021 playa!!!!!!!π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
Frye Jones
Still the hottest rapper outta the H
Michael Wynn
well I meant tha Truth mixtape but still... it's fire
ThaYungGunna2007
Oh=L Dats My New Brake HAHA, I Know It Sounds Akward I Gotta Figure Out How To Adjust It Like DJ Emurda, But Dats Wat I'm Messin Wit Right Now... You Already Know =P, Thanks Mane You Know I'mma Continuing What I'm Doin =D
Edward Manuel
well it aint bad... juss stay practicing
eman geezy
song bad azz chamillionare hold that shit down nuff said homie
xReecay
woah crazy shit hannennnin (lol) @ around 1:13 haha I Like this bruh, i think ur the best DJ in Florissant =P haha Keep it Up Bruh :D
FormerlyDJ Howie
Classic Cham screwed up. Nice
xReecay
yeah i alwayz wanted to do tha Emurda Brake but cant do dat wit VDJ DAMMIT