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
Everything
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This messed up in here right now, mayne
You got boys, wearing skinny jeans, bragging bout clothes like that's what that is, mayne
Smell like urnation around here, mayne
Sentation knamsayin?
I done peep the snece
Every Tuesday boys getting did with no Vaseline
So I already just do my solo thang (me too)
This lil' dude try to shank me with a Popsicle stick
Almost got his face knocked off by this West Coast cat
(Texas Go Hard!)
Crooked I (Let's get em!)
[Crooked I:]
Yeah, eastside of a red L. B. C.
Pumps in my trunk on my L. D. T.
Sippin' on that Hennessey it helps me breathe
Who's next on the west, might as well be me
Fast get mad cause I ain't drop a album
Ya favorite rapper hates on me how come?
A better question how come I pull out guns on ya loud mouths I can't leave the house without one? (Blah!)
Keep it real I don't need imiations
Go hard to club, I don't need invitations
Your artist suck, Crooked go hard as fuck
Niggas go hard as nuts, like seed limitations (Ow)
Lyrical genius I breathe in a faishon
Waiting to drop my cd but I'm patient
Fuck the industry if they want me to sell out
I can hit the streets for this cheese that I'm chasin (yeah)
Tony Touch told me not to conform
Now I coming at you like a tropical storm
And I knock it down every fuckin' obstacle formed
Not to conforms like a Mormon who shoplift for porn
After you rocking we on
Gimme the mic, I'm a rock till the dawn
I'm a Big Poppa spit proper Big Pun
With a big gun treat me like Pac when I'm gone
Your everything I need (sup Chamillionaire?)
Everything I want baby, everything I need
Do what'cha want me too (your all we need)
I would do, Everythang (Southwest connection)
When start money for you (Knamtalkinbout?)
Oooohhhhhhhhh baby (R.I.P. Pimp muthafuckin' C) Yeah
What else is there to do? (R.I.P. Easy muthafuckin' E)
I don't know, I don't know, but I'll try
[Chamillionaire:]
Yeah
I know I'm sick enough to bless you Ha-choo!
The whole industry is gonna feel that flu
The industry is wanting me to sell out too
I ain't goin lie, Vanilla Ice I wanna sell like you
Texas in my blood, Pimp C and screw
Real close to my heart like a new tattoo
Everybody that I'm looking at ain't true
I guess I got a Crooked I and I'm just like you
Fans chat everyday about sells
Both in the sink you can save yourselfs
Show ya how to swim and I do it no help
Me and y'all can't talk if it ain't about mail
Last time I wore a backpack I was in school
Silly little trends try'na playa confused
Skinny little jeans y'all look like some fools
I don't talk too much so they say that I'm rude
Was a duece-duece now I'm on a duece-six
Money getting made and it look like you sick
Wanna take mine but there's nothing you get
And your wallet looking skinny as a F-ing tooth pick
Get rich, tick-tick-tick boom!
Sliver I never really seen that spoon
Plies ain't here so you can assume
That I'm the realest rapper that you seeing in the room
Got a deal with me, wont do the deal for free
Was getting currency since C was still with P (who?)
Currency I know you feel me G
I ain't come with a army but never will retreat
Ya girl's still a freak, that girl feeling me
I let her open the door and let her feel the seat
Drop another underground ya gotta hear me speak
Can't listne to a tape and not hear the street
[Talking: Chamillionaire]
Man another bites to dust, mayne
They goin have to step they game up, mayne
This one percent juice aint cuttin it mayne [laughs]
One percent fruit juice, man
Man I need some perservates, man
(They starving us man)
Some electrolytes man (laughs]
Crazy
The lyrics to Chamillionaire's "Everything" give an insight into the rapper's perspective on the industry and his place within it. He addresses the issues of trends and imitation, expressing his disdain for skinny jeans and bragging about clothes. He also talks about the violence he has experienced, including being attacked by a young boy with a Popsicle stick and almost getting his face knocked off by a West Coast cat.
Crooked I joins in on the second verse, introducing the west coast perspective. He talks about the hate he receives from other rappers and how he can't leave the house without a gun. He emphasizes that he doesn't conform to the industry's expectations and is willing to hit the streets to earn his money.
Chamillionaire returns for the final verse, rapping about his Texan roots and how he refuses to sell out like Vanilla Ice did. He also criticizes the trends of skinny jeans and backpacks, labeling those who follow them as foolish. He speaks about his dedication to making money and how he will never retreat, even though he did not come with an army. The chorus emphasizes how important money is to the rappers, and how they will do everything they can to make it.
Line by Line Meaning
This messed up in here right now, mayne
The current situation is chaotic and disorganized
You got boys, wearing skinny jeans, bragging bout clothes like that's what that is, mayne
There are guys wearing skinny jeans and boasting about their clothing, as if that defines their worth
Smell like urnation around here, mayne
The atmosphere is unpleasant and smells like urine
Sentation knamsayin?
Do you understand my point?
I done peep the snece
I have noticed the situation
Every Tuesday boys getting did with no Vaseline
Every Tuesday, guys are getting treated poorly or taken advantage of without protection
So I already just do my solo thang (me too)
I prefer to focus on my solo work and not get involved in such nonsense
Other day it was a fighting population
Recently, there were many people engaged in physical fights
This lil' dude try to shank me with a Popsicle stick
A small guy attempted to attack me with a weak weapon like a Popsicle stick
Almost got his face knocked off by this West Coast cat (Texas Go Hard!)
He was close to getting seriously beaten by a tough guy from the West Coast (representing the strength of Texas)
(Let's get em!)
Let's go after them or take action against them
Yeah, eastside of a red L. B. C.
I'm from the east side of Long Beach, California
Pumps in my trunk on my L. D. T.
I have hydraulic pumps installed in the trunk of my car, representing my affiliation with the LDT gang
Sippin' on that Hennessey it helps me breathe
Drinking Hennessey liquor helps me relax and cope with life
Who's next on the west, might as well be me
I consider myself a worthy contender to represent the West Coast in the rap industry
Fast get mad cause I ain't drop a album
People quickly become angry because I haven't released an album recently
Ya favorite rapper hates on me how come?
Why does your favorite rapper show hatred towards me?
A better question how come I pull out guns on ya loud mouths I can't leave the house without one? (Blah!)
An even more important question is, why do I need to carry firearms to protect myself from disrespectful individuals? (Expressing frustration)
Keep it real I don't need imiations
I prefer authenticity and don't require imitations or fakeness
Go hard to club, I don't need invitations
I don't need invitations to go hard and enjoy myself at the club
Your artist suck, Crooked go hard as fuck
Other artists are inferior, while Crooked I goes hard and puts in maximum effort
Niggas go hard as nuts, like seed limitations (Ow)
People go extremely hard and are dedicated, like there are no limits to their potential (expressing pain)
Lyrical genius I breathe in a faishon
I am a lyrical genius and my creativity is a natural part of who I am
Waiting to drop my cd but I'm patient
I am patiently waiting for the right time to release my music album
Fuck the industry if they want me to sell out
I refuse to compromise my integrity and sell out to the music industry
I can hit the streets for this cheese that I'm chasin (yeah)
I am willing to hustle in the streets to earn the money I desire
Tony Touch told me not to conform
Tony Touch advised me to avoid conforming to mainstream expectations
Now I coming at you like a tropical storm
I am approaching the industry aggressively and forcefully, like a powerful tropical storm
And I knock it down every fuckin' obstacle formed
I overcome and defeat any obstacles that come my way
Not to conforms like a Mormon who shoplift for porn
I refuse to conform, just like a Mormon who steals pornographic material
After you rocking we on
After your performance, we will be on stage next
Gimme the mic, I'm a rock till the dawn
Give me the microphone, I will perform and entertain until morning
I'm a Big Poppa spit proper Big Pun
I rap with the same energy and skill as Big Poppa and Big Pun
With a big gun treat me like Pac when I'm gone
I carry a powerful firearm and want to be respected like Tupac after my death
Your everything I need (sup Chamillionaire?)
You are everything I desire and require (Chamillionaire acknowledging himself)
Everything I want baby, everything I need
You fulfill all my desires and meet all my needs, baby
Do what'cha want me too (your all we need)
I am willing to do whatever you want me to because you are everything we need
I would do, Everythang (Southwest connection)
I am willing to do anything and everything for you (referring to the Southwest connection)
When start money for you (Knamtalkinbout?)
When it comes to making money for you, what are you talking about?
Oooohhhhhhhhh baby (R.I.P. Pimp muthafuckin' C) Yeah
Oh baby, expressing sorrow and respect for the late Pimp C
What else is there to do? (R.I.P. Easy muthafuckin' E)
What other options or activities are there? (Acknowledging the late Eazy-E)
I don't know, I don't know, but I'll try
I'm unsure, but I'll make an effort and try my best
I know I'm sick enough to bless you Ha-choo!
I am talented enough to bless you with my music (making a pun with the sound of sneezing)
The whole industry is gonna feel that flu
The entire music industry will be impacted by my talent and success, like a contagious flu
The industry is wanting me to sell out too
The music industry expects me to compromise my integrity and conform as well
I ain't goin lie, Vanilla Ice I wanna sell like you
I must admit, I wouldn't mind achieving the same level of commercial success as Vanilla Ice
Texas in my blood, Pimp C and screw
I have a strong connection to Texas, influenced by artists like Pimp C and DJ Screw
Real close to my heart like a new tattoo
My love and appreciation for Texas is deeply ingrained, just like a freshly inked tattoo
Everybody that I'm looking at ain't true
Everyone I come across in this industry is fake and not genuine
I guess I got a Crooked I and I'm just like you
I realize that I have a crooked side too, and I can relate to others who are also flawed
Fans chat everyday about sells
Fans are constantly talking about album sales and commercial success
Both in the sink you can save yourselfs
Both the industry and the so-called fans can save themselves from their own delusions
Show ya how to swim and I do it no help
I will teach you how to succeed and navigate the industry without any assistance
Me and y'all can't talk if it ain't about mail
I have no interest in having conversations or discussions if they don't involve money
Last time I wore a backpack I was in school
The last time I wore a backpack was when I was in school, emphasizing that I am no longer a student
Silly little trends try'na playa confused
I find these silly trends to be confusing and attempt to manipulate people
Skinny little jeans y'all look like some fools
Wearing skinny jeans makes you all look foolish
I don't talk too much so they say that I'm rude
People perceive me as rude because I don't talk excessively
Was a duece-duece now I'm on a duece-six
I used to have a smaller caliber firearm, but now I have a larger caliber one (representing growth and progress)
Money getting made and it look like you sick
I am making a lot of money, and it seems to bother you or make you envious
Wanna take mine but there's nothing you get
You want to take my money or success, but you won't gain anything from it
And your wallet looking skinny as a F-ing tooth pick
Your wallet or financial situation is extremely poor or lacking
Get rich, tick-tick-tick boom!
I am on my way to getting rich, and it's only a matter of time before I achieve explosive success
Silver I never really seen that spoon
I haven't experienced a silver spoon or a privileged upbringing (symbolizing wealth)
Plies ain't here so you can assume
Since Plies is not present, you can assume that I am the realest rapper
That I'm the realest rapper that you seeing in the room
I am the most authentic and genuine rapper in the room
Got a deal with me, wont do the deal for free
If you want to collaborate or work with me, you won't get it for free
Was getting currency since C was still with P (who?)
I've been earning money since the time when C was still with P (Pimp C and Master P), referring to a significant timeframe
Currency I know you feel me G
Currency (another rapper) understands and relates to me
I ain't come with a army but never will retreat
I didn't bring an army with me, but I will never back down or retreat from any challenges
Ya girl's still a freak, that girl feeling me
Your girl is still sexually adventurous, and she is attracted to me
I let her open the door and let her feel the seat
I am a gentleman and allow her to enter the car before me and feel comfortable
Drop another underground ya gotta hear me speak
Once I release another underground project, you must listen to my music and hear what I have to say
Can't listen to a tape and not hear the street
When you listen to my mixtape, you can't ignore the street influence and authenticity in my lyrics
Man another bites to dust, mayne
Another artist is going down or facing difficulties
They goin have to step they game up, mayne
They will need to improve or elevate their skills and abilities
This one percent juice aint cuttin it mayne [laughs]
The quality or effectiveness of this juice is not sufficient to meet our needs (humorous tone)
One percent fruit juice, man
The juice is only one percent actual fruit juice, highlighting its lack of authenticity
Man I need some perservates, man
I need some preservatives or additives to enhance the quality of the juice
(They starving us man)
They are depriving us or limiting our opportunities (expressing frustration)
Some electrolytes man (laughs]
We need some electrolytes to replenish our energy and enhance our performance (humorous tone)
Crazy
The situation or circumstances are absurd or outrageous
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.