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
Dream
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dream to have cream
They tell me cash rules everything (Thing)
First I'm a get a scheme
Then I'm get some green
Cause nothing comes to a dreamer but a dream
Day dream (Day dream)
For a couple of hours (For a couple of hours)
On a beautiful day (And didn't wanna OA)
Day dream (Day dream)
I dream of you amid the flowers (I had the money and the power)
For a couple of hours (For a couple of hours)
Such a beautiful day (And didn't wanna OA)
Hold up put in your offer in
The mixtape God's stopping in
Bootleggers used to be beggars
Now they non profiting
Sold a million mixtapes to
Every Mom and Pop and then
I sold a milli to every single
Mom and Pop again (Woo)
They asking why he never bring the hardtop with him
They saying that money talks
Then why are y'all talkin then
Got the six car garage
Where my cars park and then
I'm switching em all around
I call it cross marketing
Cause a label didn't do it
So I did it on my own
You say you should be yourself
Your label tell you that ya wrong
Should of known (Known)
I'm takin another trip to the tone
Cause they loved you in the past
And they still loved you when ya grown
Blown look at my cover can't even hide (Why)
Not even with the word Gucci covering my eyes
Telling lies (Lies) they told you that Texas would never rise
Then it raised
But now they just ready for it's demise (But surprise)
Day dream (Day dream)
I fell asleep amid the flowers (I had the money and the power)
For a couple of hours (For a couple of hours)
On a beautiful day (And didn't wanna OA)
Day dream (Day dream)
I dream of you amid the flowers (I had the money and the power)
For a couple of hours (For a couple of hours)
Such a beautiful day (And didn't wanna OA)
In Chamillionaire's song "Dream," the lyrics convey the artist's aspirations for success and wealth, as well as his resilience in pursuing his dreams. The lyrics reflect the idea that having money is often seen as essential in society, but the artist believes that he first needs to come up with a plan ("get a scheme") and work hard to achieve financial success ("get some green"). The line "nothing comes to a dreamer but a dream" implies that merely dreaming is not enough; action and determination are necessary to make dreams a reality.
The chorus of the song talks about daydreaming and escaping from reality. Chamillionaire describes falling asleep amidst flowers and fantasizing about having money and power. The mention of not wanting to "OA" (boredom or ordinary activities) suggests that the artist finds solace in daydreaming, temporarily detaching himself from the monotony of everyday life.
The following verse highlights Chamillionaire's rise in the music industry. He references the challenges faced by independent artists, such as bootleggers profiting from their work. However, the artist overcomes these obstacles by selling millions of mixtapes directly to fans. The line "a label didn't do it, so I did it on my own" showcases Chamillionaire's independence and resourcefulness in building his career.
The lyrics also touch on the pressure to conform and be someone other than yourself, as the artist mentions labels telling him he should be different. However, Chamillionaire asserts his individuality and authenticity, indicating that he embraced his true self regardless of external influences. He also hints at the idea that his success has exceeded expectations, referring to Texas rising despite initial doubts and the anticipation of its downfall.
Overall, the lyrics in "Dream" emphasize the artist's pursuit of success, the power of imagination in escaping reality, and the importance of staying true to oneself despite external influences. Chamillionaire's words inspire listeners to dream big, take control of their own destiny, and overcome obstacles on the path to success.
Line by Line Meaning
I dream to have cream
I aspire to have wealth and financial success
They tell me cash rules everything (Thing)
People often say that money controls everything in life
First I'm a get a scheme
First, I will come up with a plan or strategy
Then I'm get some green
Then, I will acquire money or financial resources
Cause nothing comes to a dreamer but a dream
Because dreamers can only achieve their dreams, not material possessions or success
Day dream (Day dream)
Engaging in a pleasant, imaginative activity during the day
I fell asleep amid the flowers (I had the money and the power)
I became lost in my thoughts of wealth and influence
For a couple of hours (For a couple of hours)
For a brief period of time
On a beautiful day (And didn't wanna OA)
During a wonderful moment and not wanting it to end
Hold up put in your offer in
Wait a moment and make your proposal
The mixtape God's stopping in
The influential figure in the mixtape industry is intervening
Bootleggers used to be beggars
Those who illegally reproduce and sell music were once desperate and impoverished
Now they non profiting
Now they are not making any profit
Sold a million mixtapes to
Managed to sell a million copies of my mixtapes to
Every Mom and Pop and then
Every small independent music store and later to others
I sold a milli to every single
I sold a million records to every individual
Mom and Pop again (Woo)
Small businesses owners who support local artists
They asking why he never bring the hardtop with him
People wonder why I don't showcase my luxury car
They saying that money talks
They claim that money has a strong influence
Then why are y'all talkin then
Then why are you all still talking without money's influence
Got the six car garage
I have a garage for six cars
Where my cars park and then
The place where I keep my cars
I'm switching em all around
I frequently change the arrangement of my cars
I call it cross marketing
I refer to it as a form of strategic promotion
Cause a label didn't do it
Because a record label didn't accomplish it
So I did it on my own
So I achieved it independently
You say you should be yourself
You claim that one should stay true to their identity
Your label tell you that ya wrong
Your record label disagrees and says you're mistaken
Should of known (Known)
Should have been aware
I'm takin another trip to the tone
I am going back to the music industry
Cause they loved you in the past
Because they supported you in the past
And they still loved you when ya grown
And they continue to support you as you mature
Blown look at my cover can't even hide (Why)
I am achieving massive success and recognition, unable to conceal it
Not even with the word Gucci covering my eyes
Even if I try to hide it by wearing expensive designer items
Telling lies (Lies) they told you that Texas would never rise
Spreading falsehoods, as they claimed Texas would never succeed
Then it raised
But it defied their expectations and achieved success
But now they just ready for it's demise (But surprise)
But now they anticipate its downfall, yet they will be surprised
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind