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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(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
Front To Back
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
pussy ass nigga)
(U.G.K. Inserts: Bun-B (Pimp-C)) {Chamillionaire}
From the back (back), to this front (front)
Now to the side (side) {Get ya step on}
(repeat 4x)
{Hold up, Okay}
From the back (must come down)
To this front (must come down)
(Verse 1: Chamillionaire)
-Yuh, Yuh.
Go get a sack, roll a blunt, then let it light
Hop in ya ride, but don't let no gimmick rapper blow ya high
Go get some screw (what type of screw fool?), Dj Screw
And other Dj's can wreck too (how many?), just a few
Where that O.G. Ron C and other boys better not get lazy
Would it be slab or Mercedes? Better go ask that naked lady
on the hood, I feel like boys ain't no where near my caliber
I'm years ahead of yall and you ain't no where near my calendar
Went from the front, to the back, now push the side
Now I'm standin' on my own 2 Chuck Taylors when I ride
Ride on yall wit pride, homie you might ask me why
It seems like real niggaz die, and fraud niggaz multiply
Is ya hearin' me? no rapper can even see as clear as me
I make my own turns there is no one else that's steerin' me
How could you think that you could handle Koopa lyrically
My flow ain't perfect yet, but no rapper come as near as me
Look what you created, now you got me aggravated
Gettin' braided, sittin' bladed, then I go hit that 280
Uhh-Uhh, 8 bumper scrapped, but I'm steady tippin' down
Ask a question for real niggaz, I bet the frauds is gon' reply
Who the realest?
(U.G.K. Insert) {Rasaq ad-libs}
(Verse 2: Rasaq)
-Ay we bout to tip down man
From the back to the front, front back to the side (to the side)
I'ma come down while my 5th wheel rise (5th wheel rise)
Fall up in the club, and I'm draped up in ice (draped up in ice)
Yellow-bone in my lap, and she shakin' them thighs (shakin' them thighs)
Wanna come home, but I'm past on the game
Niggaz waitin' in the alley, tryna jack off my chain
It's the Color Changer, ridin' on swangers
Recognize pimpin', I ain't never been no stranger
Bumpin' on screw, slowed down in my disc changer
If you wanna throw down, I got 1 up in the chamber
It's that brown-boy from that C.C.C
Them other boys cool, but they ain't me (you gotta love it)
Been true all my life, I ain't tellin' you a lie
Put ya deuce in the sky, if you 'finna get high
Alot of niggaz lame, they be sangin' they name
But I swear that they soft, and they gay in the game
I'ma come down, 84's spinners swang
Takin' butter-heads to the mall to buy me pinky rings
I be ridin' the hardest, yall niggaz is insane
23's behind the paint like that boy LeBron James
(U.G.K. Insert) {Yung-Ro ad-libs}
(Verse 3: Yung-Ro)
-Let me see it, let me see it
From the back, to the front, to the side
I'm in the back, now here it cum, girl open wide
Don't be ashamed, do ya thang, cuz I'ma do mines
Tell ya man that I got 2 nines, so lil daddy do you mind?
If I do what I'm supposed to do
It's pimpin' baby, I'm fly I'm supposed to screw
Every bitch in the vacinity
I'm on Hypnotiq and Hennessy
and you askin' what the hell don' gotten into me
I'm 'finna be, leavin' the scene with yo hoe
Just like I'm 'finna be turnin' 22, and that's comin' fa'sho
That's for Ro, just pimp-tastic baby
Need a bitch, break a bitch-up, pimp classic baby
You askin' baby, and I can feel it in my ear
Lookin' back at ya like G'yeah, tellin' you what you wanna hear
But it's cool with me, yeah just close the curtains
And if ya, fuckin' Nobody, ya still a virgin
Now from the back, to the front, to the side
From the back, to the front, to the side
From the back, to the front, now to the side
Heh!, yeah (Get ya step on..Get ya step on) yeah, Right!
(U.G.K. Insert)
The song "Front To Back" by Chamillionaire incorporates a mix of different styles and influences from rap, hip-hop, and R&B. The lyrics focus on the artists' success and how they've risen to the top of their game. They describe their journey from the back of the pack to the front, and how they do things their own way without letting anyone else influence them. The repeated phrase "from the back, to the front, now to the side" speaks to this idea of taking different paths and achieving greatness in one's own way.
Chamillionaire's lyrics are packed with metaphors and clever wordplay, using slang and popular culture references to emphasize his message. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting swayed by trends or popularity. He also throws in a few jabs at "gimmick rappers" and "fraud niggaz" who he believes are holding the genre back.
The song's chorus features a repeating "Get ya step on" phrase, encouraging listeners to dance and move to the beat. The production is upbeat and catchy, providing a perfect backdrop for Chamillionaire's confident and energetic flow.
Overall, "Front To Back" is a powerful and inspiring song that speaks to the struggle of rising to the top in any industry. It encourages listeners to follow their own path and not be afraid to take risks, ultimately leading to success and personal fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
From the back (back), to this front (front)
Moving from the rear to the front.
Now to the side (side) {Get ya step on}
Now moving sideways, get ready to dance.
Hold up, Okay
A pause before continuing with the next verse.
What goes up, must come down
Anything that rises eventually falls.
From the back (must come down)
Returning to the rear again.
To this front (must come down)
Returning to the front again.
Go get a sack, roll a blunt, then let it light
Go get some weed, roll it up and light it.
Hop in ya ride, but don't let no gimmick rapper blow ya high
Get in your car, but don't listen to crappy music that ruins your high.
Where that O.G. Ron C and other boys better not get lazy
Production should be hardworking and high quality.
I'm years ahead of yall and you ain't no where near my calendar
His skills are immensely better than others and he is far ahead of them on the journey to success.
Ride on yall wit pride, homie you might ask me why
He encourages others to be confident, and inquires as to why people might question that mindset.
Is ya hearin' me? no rapper can even see as clear as me
He is essentially saying 'do you hear me?', and then clarifies that no other rapper can perceive things like he can.
I make my own turns there is no one else that's steerin' me
He takes control of his own life and destiny, with nobody else controlling him.
How could you think that you could handle Koopa lyrically
He is asking how anyone could think they could rap better than him.
Look what you created, now you got me aggravated
Others who doubted him created his drive to prove them wrong.
Wanna come home, but I'm past on the game
He is not interested in going home anymore, because he is now beyond the street-life.
Been true all my life, I ain't tellin' you a lie
He has always been honest and never lies.
A lot of niggaz lame, they be sangin' they name
Other artists are fake and unoriginal, lacking in creativity.
I'm on Hypnotiq and Hennessy
He's drinking Hypnotiq mixed with Hennessy.
And you askin' what the hell don' gotten into me
He's talking to someone who is surprised at his behavior.
Now from the back, to the front, to the side
Repeating the earlier chorus of moving from the rear to front and then to the side.
Contributed by Noah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MikeHammer757
Damn ....brought it bakk with this one, lotta memories 👌🏾
Frontline Worthy
Love the beat
Jacob Hambright
My anthem right here
Starasia Hill
I’ve been looking for this for years
BlackFaithProduction
Nice sample of Run DMC’s “Rock Box”. Took me like 20 years to figure that out.
You gonna Eat that
your the mvp
Raymond Brown
Still here
Christopher Harris II
🎉2023 was here