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
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Chamillionaire Lyrics
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Go!
[Chorus]
Y'all ain't about nothing
Y'all ain't about nothing
Y'all frontin', y'all frontin, y'all frontin', y'all frontin'
Y'all niggas just hate, y'all niggas just hate
You ain't finna do nothing, you ain't finna do nothing
Y'all frontin', y'all frontin', y'all frontin', y'all frontin'
Introducing to you now is the kid they love to hate
But when you saying what you saying
You just say it to my face
Yeah you see him? (Yeah)
You see him bow beat him down lean him down (lean him)
Your breathing sound like you now layin down sleepin
You be surrounded or found on the ground beaten
You see him how he look now and he ain't found a reason
My reason is that they won't have to persuade
Me to have the courage to walk right up and say it to your face
A faker never know he fake
A hater never admit he hate
By the time they figure it out is probably gon be too late (yeah)
Grinning up your face is like you tryin' to let me know
That you ain't really happy how how I'm getting all this dough
Let the truth be told tell me is your friend a foe
Better make it clear or get mistaken for a hoe (Yeah)
And then you take him to the floor
I can't ignore it if you're talking
But I hope that what you talking ain't about running up or robbing
Walk around like everybody is the enemy just for precaution (just for precaution)
I get no surprised and have to see an early coffin
[Chorus]
And what you smokin'. your brain clouded yet the pine got your mind polluted
You got some smarts in your mind hey it's time use it
Your friends arrive talkin down on the loud music
Them niggas's lying plus them concept is gettin' included
How could they tell you, you was built to last
You built like a boxing bag, put a whoopin' on that ass
See us approachin' that set in motion in that hour glass
Wrong words are built too fast, find your exit and dash
Lookin for crabs in a bucket tryin' criticize me (me)
But they do it around them niggas don't say it around me (me)
And if they do us opposite how they feel about me (me)
Turn my back and they relax and talk that lip behind me
I see you a busta and I'mma bust ya in your lip
Put some lipstick in my fist, throwin you a kiss
Since I see that you a sucker, suck a gasoline dick
Put it right up to your lip, put a lighter to the tip (boom!)
[Chorus]
Where you from? (Where you from?)
Act like you know I'm from the south
We ain't playin', what you sayin'?
I can't hear you when you talk
What you want? (What you want?)
What you sayin' out your mouth?
We ain't playin', what you sayin'?
I can't hear you when you talk
Where you from? (Where you from?)
Act like you know I'm from the south
We ain't playin', what you sayin'?
I can't hear you when you talk
What you want? (What you want?)
What you sayin' out your mouth?
We ain't playin', what you sayin'?
I can't hear you when you talk
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "Not A Criminal" by CHAMILLIONAIRE FT SNOOP DOGG & BUSTA RHYMES speak about the rejection of fake and negative people who pretend to be something they are not. The song stresses on the importance of being honest and straightforward rather than hiding behind a façade. The lyrics also emphasize on the dangers of criticizing and judging others without knowing their true intentions, which may result in fatal consequences. The song is a call to action to stand up against negativity and staying true to oneself.
Verse one focuses on the act of showing courage and speaking up when it matters the most. When someone is pretending or being negative towards you, it's essential to confront them, rather than staying quiet. In verse two, the song writer emphasizes on the power of critical thinking and the danger of being a follower. The lyrics specifically speak to how someone's friends tend to affect their actions and beliefs, one should avoid falling into such traps. The third and final verse sees the song writer expressing his antagonism towards haters and fake people, stating that he will not hesitate to take a stand against them.
In conclusion, the lyrics to "Not A Criminal" by CHAMILLIONAIRE FT SNOOP DOGG & BUSTA RHYMES stresses on the importance of being genuine, honest and straightforward while avoiding negativity and negativity associated with fake and shallow people.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all ain't about nothing
You are all insignificant
Y'all frontin', y'all frontin, y'all frontin', y'all frontin'
You are all pretending to be something you're not
Y'all niggas just hate, y'all niggas just hate
You all harbor negative feelings towards me
Y'all fake, y'all fake, y'all fake, y'all fake
You all are not genuine
You ain't finna do nothing, you ain't finna do nothing
You are not capable of doing anything
Introducing to you now is the kid they love to hate
I am the one that people love to hate
But when you saying what you saying
When you speak
You just say it to my face
You speak your mind in front of me
You see him bow beat him down lean him down (lean him)
If you see him, beat him down and leave him injured
Your breathing sound like you now layin down sleepin
When you are punched down, you sound like you are sleeping
You be surrounded or found on the ground beaten
You will be either surrounded or found beaten on the ground
My reason is that they won't have to persuade
I do not require any persuading
Me to have the courage to walk right up and say it to your face
I already have the courage to face you and speak my mind
A faker never know he fake
A person who is fake does not realize they are fake
A hater never admit he hate
A person who harbors hate does not admit it
By the time they figure it out is probably gon be too late (yeah)
By the time they realize it, it will be too late
Grinning up your face is like you tryin' to let me know
Your smile is a facade
That you ain't really happy how how I'm getting all this dough
You are not truly happy with my success
Let the truth be told tell me is your friend a foe
Be truthful, is your friend a foe?
Better make it clear or get mistaken for a hoe (Yeah)
Clarify your intentions or be seen as someone low
And then you take him to the floor
You take someone to the ground
I can't ignore it if you're talking
I cannot ignore what you are saying
But I hope that what you talking ain't about running up or robbing
I hope you are not discussing running up or robbing me
Walk around like everybody is the enemy just for precaution (just for precaution)
I walk around as if everyone is an enemy, just as a precaution
I get no surprised and have to see an early coffin
I am not surprised to see someone in an early grave
And what you smokin'. your brain clouded yet the pine got your mind polluted
Your mind is clouded by the drugs you are smoking
You got some smarts in your mind hey it's time use it
You have intelligence, use it
Your friends arrive talkin down on the loud music
Your friends criticize the loud music
Them niggas's lying plus them concept is gettin' included
They are lying and including false concepts
How could they tell you, you was built to last
How can they tell you that you have endurance?
You built like a boxing bag, put a whoopin' on that ass
You are built like a boxing bag and easily defeated
See us approachin' that set in motion in that hour glass
We are approaching rapidly, like sand through an hourglass
Wrong words are built too fast, find your exit and dash
The wrong words can escalate too quickly, so find your exit and leave
Lookin for crabs in a bucket tryin' criticize me (me)
You are trying to criticize me while also bringing me down
But they do it around them niggas don't say it around me (me)
They say it around others but not directly to me
And if they do us opposite how they feel about me (me)
If they say the opposite of their true feelings towards me
Turn my back and they relax and talk that lip behind me
When I am not around, they talk behind my back
Where you from? (Where you from?)
What is your origin?
Act like you know I'm from the south
Assume that I am from the southern region
We ain't playin', what you sayin'?
We are serious, what are you saying?
I can't hear you when you talk
I cannot understand what you are saying
What you want? (What you want?)
What do you desire?
What you sayin' out your mouth?
What are you saying?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HAKEEM T. SERIKI, NATHAN PEREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind