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.
-------------------------------------------------------
(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
Flow
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I go better than Maya Angeluo and skip to my lou, skip on these nuts fo show kid, while I blind you wit my ice on my wrist, 'cause I gotsa go grind so much ice on me no Wonder Stevies blind, look at my watch it goes tic toc my chain swang like a granfather clock.Big Beezy comin through sippin lemon line yo edge up look like a drunk person tryin to walk in a straight line.Still dropipin dimes I got beef wit jay-z 'cause he sux and he's lazy, his rhymes are weak and crazy, like mike jones on 24's I still tip, I go bigger than Jay-z's and Fantasia's lips. Yeah Jay-z I'm callin you out, you suck, you hang out wit 50 cent 'cause you're not worth a dollar buck. And for chammillionaire you horrible and even worse, you similar to Jay-z's album, God gave me the GIFT, and gave you the CURSE.
The opening lines of Chamillionaire's song "Flow" are filled with braggadocio and insults aimed at his contemporaries in the rap game. Chamillionaire appears to be in a playful mood, as he sips Pepsi Blue and makes outlandish claims about his superiority over other rappers. He compares himself to Maya Angelou, the acclaimed poet, before using an obscene joke to assert his dominance once again. Chamillionaire's jewelry is a key part of his image, and he talks about it frequently in his lyrics. He boasts that the ice on his wrist is so bright that it blinds people, just like Stevie Wonder. This line is obviously intended to be humorous, but it also shows how important material wealth is to the rapper's identity.
The second verse of "Flow" continues in a similar vein, with Chamillionaire going after Jay-Z and Mike Jones. He accuses Jay-Z of being lazy and uncreative, and claims to be a superior rapper in every way. The mention of Mike Jones is interesting, as he was a relatively minor player in the rap game at the time "Flow" was released. Chamillionaire's decision to diss him shows that he was paying close attention to the industry and may have been looking to make a name for himself by taking shots at other artists. The final line of the verse, where Chamillionaire compares himself favorably to Jay-Z and Fantasia, is another example of his self-assuredness and his willingness to engage in provocative behavior to make a name for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I come through sippin pepsi blue, booo
I'm showing off my wealth and status by drinking a rare drink flavor as I make my entrance.
I go better than Maya Angeluo and skip to my lou
My skills and talent are on a completely different level than even the best, and I'm showing off by referencing a popular kids' song.
skip on these nuts fo show kid
I'm flaunting my confidence, swagger, and masculinity with this crude slap at anyone who would dare challenge me.
while I blind you wit my ice on my wrist
My jewelry is so expensive and flashy that it distracts and disorients anyone trying to look directly at me.
'cause I gotsa go grind so much ice on me no Wonder Stevies blind
I'm bragging about the amount of ice on me, and mocking the blindness of musician Stevie Wonder as a result of my dazzling display.
look at my watch it goes tic toc my chain swang like a granfather clock
I'm continuing to boast about my expensive accessories and their ornate movements and appearances.
Big Beezy comin through sippin lemon line yo edge up look like a drunk person tryin to walk in a straight line
I'm mocking someone else's appearance, fitness, or grooming as they try to match me in wealth or status.
Still dropipin dimes
I'm continuing to display my superiority in every way possible.
I got beef wit jay-z 'cause he sux and he's lazy, his rhymes are weak and crazy
I'm starting a feud with another rapper who I find inadequate and unworthy of respect.
like mike jones on 24's I still tip
I'm nodding to a popular song by another rapper, but asserting that I'm even more skilled and successful than he is.
I go bigger than Jay-z's and Fantasia's lips
I'm using an exaggerated image to emphasize my arrogance and superiority.
Yeah Jay-z I'm callin you out, you suck, you hang out wit 50 cent 'cause you're not worth a dollar buck
I'm directly challenging and insulting another rapper, and suggesting that he has to rely on the company of another artist to have any worth or value.
And for chammillionaire you horrible and even worse, you similar to Jay-z's album, God gave me the GIFT, and gave you the CURSE
I'm turning my boasting and insults on myself, by admitting that I'm just as bad as the other rapper I'm challenging, and that God has cursed me with less talent or skill.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MAURIZIO MOLELLA, ROBERTO SANTINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ganonmaster
i feel u on that, Old Cham spits such hardcore lines which is why its so weird to hear him now compared to this... but then again, New Chams puttin more meaning in his tracks... so at least we can listen to both and say he kills it no matter what!!
Reg-JD
One of his best freestyles
Cruz
Damn these flows take me back
Rickey Dunn
On the low Cham dropped better punchlines than lil Wayne. “Chamillion is the tightest but that boy ain’t the politest, I’m the cause for hurt jaws like a mouth with gingivitis”
TheOfficialWrantics
still hard bummping😂
wheelmanstan
HIS NEW ALBUM COMES OUT IN 6 HOURS, $6!!
BoostedOnaBudget
straight wreckin
dt908911
Houston did it first. Influenced the whole game. Now they chopping and screwing in Atlanta, thanks the the OG RonC. U and Watts and Screw & all these rappers taught a kid in Louisiana the truth about the game and manning up!!!!
dt908911
And if you see my name on a train salute me like a Sarge, scoring in the paint like Kareem-Abdul-Jabbarr
Devin DaBoss
old chamillionaire= new chamillionaire