Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award … Read Full Bio ↴Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award nominated rapper, member of The Color Changin' Click and founder of Chamillitary Entertainment. Better known as Chamillionaire, he also uses nicknames such as The Mixtape Messiah, King Koopa, Color Changin' Lizard, Chamillinator, Chamillitary Mayne, Major Payne and The Truth From Texas. He began rapping in 1998, releasing mixtapes and a collab album with fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall. He released his debut album, The Sound of Revenge, in 2005, and his sophmore release, Ultimate Victory, in 2007. He plans to release his yet untitled third album at the end of 2009 or early 2010.

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

Everybody Knows My Name feat. Chalie Boy
Chamillionaire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Chalie Boy)

[Chalie Boy:]
Everybody Know My Name
(Uh Chamillitary Mayne)
Knockin bitch niggas out the flame
Mayne

Lil mama I'm fly (I'm fly)
I'm throwed (I'm throwed)
Ya ain't seen a playa like me befo'
Real niggas recognize, that bitch is (?)
I trap twenty minutes hit the mall and brought a shop
Lil buddy I'm row (I'm row)
I show ass (I show ass)
Got a lot of toys cause a nigga play with cash
Swangs drops on glass, truck got beat
Fuck a strip club I make it rain in the street

No bumping, cause I'm packing
Ridin' 4's till them hoes start clacking
Police try jack ya I show ya what's happening
This one season and my whole squad trapping
Blessed outta made it, dressing the ladies
Question all the haters they claiming that they the greatest
Reading two slow you ain't on the same pages
Step ya game up, cause your boys OUTRAGEOUS!
Breaking out CAGES, stacking big faces
Straight, we ain't call em, all you losers disgraces
Tighten up your lace and poppin' bottles by the cases
Rollin' hard jaw liken like I got braces
Mayne

[Chamillionaire:]
I'm fly (I'm fly)
I'm throwed (I'm throwed)
I'm coming down on a set of new 4's
Grippin' that oak with my Diamonds Exposed
Back in the streets I'm in Underground Mode
Mayne

Kill a career with a verse, I show up at the funeral
Trunk poppin' my beat knockin' yeah D.T.P. in like Luda do
Better have my money baby, cash would be what suitable
Cause yo head is like the top that's on my drop removable
My naked lady she a clown but they say jackers try'na find her
I pull out that ragged shiner now my lady looking finer
Underground we gotta eat, let me take you to the diner
Paint syrup that's Aunt Jemima it's like she my new desinger
I got doe but it's a curse, get girls but money worse
They say you can't take it with'cha so I put a safe in a herse
Candy skirt goin make em hurt, man I better go get the work
I swang down my driveway and then I "ERR" and hit reverse
Koopa, yep I'm still the man, still the man that a still the man
I still the man like the Estella's fan and you out of bounds like you Moreno Dan

I be getting that green baby, boy seems like they mad at that
Every time I grab a stack I'll look just like a Cabbage Patch

Overall Meaning

The song "Everybody Knows My Name" by Chamillionaire feat. Chalie Boy is a boastful and confident anthem about the rappers' wealth, status, and general success. The first verse is sung by Chalie Boy, where he talks about his lavish lifestyle and how even strangers recognize him. He boasts about his designer clothing, expensive toys, and his ability to make it rain in the streets. Chalie Boy also talks about his readiness to defend himself against police or anyone who tries to mess with him or his crew. The second verse is sung by Chamillionaire, who also brags about his wealth and success. He talks about his ability to end careers with just one verse and his desire for cash over anything else. He mentions the challenges that come with money and fame, such as the constant threat of being robbed or losing everything. Chamillionaire also talks about his love for his car and his girlfriend, who he refers to as his "naked lady."

The overall theme of the song is a celebration of the success that comes with being a rapper. It's an anthem for anyone who has worked hard to achieve their goals and is now enjoying the fruits of their labor. The lyrics are boastful and confident, but they also acknowledge the challenges and risks that come with fame and fortune. The chorus, "Everybody knows my name," is a powerful statement about the level of fame and recognition that the rappers have achieved.

Line by Line Meaning

Everybody Know My Name
I am a famous and well-known person

(Uh Chamillitary Mayne)
This phrase is a slang expression used to express excitement, enthusiasm, or agreement.

Knockin bitch niggas out the flame
I am defeating any person who tries to bring me down.

Lil mama I'm fly (I'm fly)
I am stylish and fashionable.

I'm throwed (I'm throwed)
I am high or drunk.

Ya ain't seen a playa like me befo'
I am unique and one-of-a-kind in my style and behavior.

Real niggas recognize, that bitch is (?)
Respected people recognize that the women around me are attractive and desirable.

I trap twenty minutes hit the mall and brought a shop
I make a lot of money and can afford to shop for whatever I want.

Lil buddy I'm row (I'm row)
I am driving a car that looks good and fast.

I show ass (I show ass)
I show off my car and driving skills.

Got a lot of toys cause a nigga play with cash
I have many expensive things because I can afford them.

Swangs drops on glass, truck got beat
I am driving a car with fancy wheels and an expensive sound system.

Fuck a strip club I make it rain in the street
I am throwing money around in public, showing off my wealth.

No bumping, cause I'm packing
I am carrying a gun for protection.

Ridin' 4's till them hoes start clacking
I am driving a car with large wheels until people start paying attention.

Police try jack ya I show ya what's happening
If anyone tries to steal from me, I will fight back and show them who is boss.

This one season and my whole squad trapping
During this one season, my entire crew is making a lot of money.

Blessed outta made it, dressing the ladies
I am lucky to be successful and I enjoy dressing well to impress women.

Question all the haters they claiming that they the greatest
I am challenging my critics who think they are better than me.

Reading two slow you ain't on the same pages
You are not at the same level as me, and you cannot keep up with me.

Step ya game up, cause your boys OUTRAGEOUS!
You need to improve your skills because your friends are too wild and out of control.

Breaking out CAGES, stacking big faces
I am making a lot of money and becoming successful despite previous struggles.

Straight, we ain't call em, all you losers disgraces
I am living my life without worrying about what others think, and I see the people who try to bring me down as failures.

Tighten up your lace and poppin' bottles by the cases
You need to get your life together and start celebrating like I do.

Rollin' hard jaw liken like I got braces
I am driving a car so cool that it looks like I have an intense and serious expression on my face like someone with braces.

I'm coming down on a set of new 4's
I am driving a cool car with new and fancy wheels.

Grippin' that oak with my Diamonds Exposed
I am showing off my expensive jewelry while driving my car.

Back in the streets I'm in Underground Mode
I am still living my life the way I did before I became famous.

Kill a career with a verse, I show up at the funeral
I can ruin someone's career by writing a powerful rap verse, and I enjoy seeing the consequences of my actions.

Trunk poppin' my beat knockin' yeah D.T.P. in like Luda do
I am blasting my music loudly while driving my car, just like rapper Ludacris does.

Better have my money baby, cash would be what suitable
If someone owes me money, they need to pay me in cash.

Cause yo head is like the top that's on my drop removable
I can easily remove someone from my life, just like the top of my convertible car can be removed.

My naked lady she a clown but they say jackers try'na find her
My expensive car is so cool that people are trying to steal it.

I pull out that ragged shiner now my lady looking finer
I use my gun to defend myself and make myself and my car look even cooler.

Underground we gotta eat, let me take you to the diner
I still need to make money and survive as an underground artist, so let's go eat at a cheap restaurant.

Paint syrup that's Aunt Jemima it's like she my new desinger
I am painting my car with a brownish color that looks like the syrup brand name Aunt Jemima, making it look stylish and unique.

I got doe but it's a curse, get girls but money worse
I have a lot of money, but it causes problems and drama in my life.

They say you can't take it with'cha so I put a safe in a herse
I am saving my money in a safe so I can enjoy it in the afterlife.

Candy skirt goin make em hurt, man I better go get the work
My flashy car will make people jealous and angry, so I need to find a way to make more money.

I swang down my driveway and then I "ERR" and hit reverse
I am driving my car in a cool and flashy way, making a loud sound and reversing quickly.

Koopa, yep I'm still the man, still the man that a still the man
I am reminding people that despite my success, I am still the same talented and confident person.

I still the man like the Estella's fan and you out of bounds like you Moreno Dan
I am still the best, just like fans of the high-end Estella brand, and you are out of balance and not as cool as me.

I be getting that green baby, boy seems like they mad at that
I am making a lot of money, and some people seem jealous and angry about it.

Every time I grab a stack I'll look just like a Cabbage Patch
Whenever I hold a lot of money, I look like the popular doll called Cabbage Patch Kids.

Contributed by Samantha B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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