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

Game Gonna Cost a Fee
Chamillionaire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro - Chamillionaire]
Uh huh, huh
Uh huh, huh (yeah)
Uh huh, huh, huh, huh
Huh, huh (Chamillitary, hold up)
Uh huh, huh
Uh huh, huh (yeah, Chamillitary mayne)
Uh huh, huh, huh. huh

[Chorus - Chamillionaire]
When I empty my pockets out, all they see is G's
So these groupies think they gonna get that alphabet from me
So many cars I lost count, so you can count for me
7, 8, 9, you'll be countin for another week
When I let the top down, they gonna feel a breeze
Wanna feel that Mother Nature, so they wanna ride with me
Naw, I ain't tryna talk, they say that talk is cheap
And I got a million dollar mouthpiece and this game gonna cost a fee

[Intro is repeated in the background without the ad libs throughout the first verse]

[Verse 1 - Chamillionaire]
Man, I ain't trippin about these broads, we've been makin this pimpin look easy
I "Slick Pulla" (what?), kinda like dude that's messin with Jeezy
I hit that switch and we movin on up just like George Jefferson's Weezie (yeah)
I'm long, goin off, (what?), that means my baby needs me
I'm "ghost ridin in my whip", kinda like Keak Sneak and E-Pheezy
The top be goin down, like it's tryna sexually please me
I'm gonna turn on the radio, but I'm not gonna pop in the CD
Cause they playin my song (what?), like I was havin sex with the PD
I'm ridin with a star and banana, bustas better believe me
The star is my chick, the banana is my clip and you see where
All got expensive cars, won't allow a jacker to see me
I ride with bananas and shells like Mario and Luigi
You know I stay poppin up like a genie, those be the Lamborghini
The "top down low" like T.I. Jeezy, Dro, Big Kuntry, and B.G.
Then I pop that trunk and I let it up just so a hater can read me
I got the streets and that's regardless of what you see on TV
Hang my left hand out the window, it's gonna get really breezy
Right now I'm so hot, I'm so on fire, sub-zero couldn't freeze me
Get another plaque, then I'ma go back and party like it's my b-day
March 27th, Ultimate Victory, who's ever with me, hey

[Chorus]

[Break - Chamillionaire]
I get such a good feeling, cause you're right by my side
And I'm grippin on that wood wheel, askin it to be mine
I get such a good feeling, cause you're with me for life
And I'm forever on the grind, cause money stay on my mind

I get such a good feeling, when you're right by my side
And I'm grippin on that wood wheel, askin it to be mine
I get such a good feeling, I cannot be denied
Cause I'm forever on the grind, money stay on my mind

Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Game Gonna Cost a Fee," by Chamillionaire, is an ode to the rapper's lavish lifestyle and the attention he receives from women who see him as a potential source of money and status. The song's chorus focuses on the way in which the rapper's wealth is interpreted by these women, who mistake his financial success for an easy target, assuming that they will easily be able to take advantage of him. Chamillionaire counters this by explaining that, unlike the groupies who are drawn to him, he understands the value of wealth and is not willing to give it away for free. He also shows off his confidence and swagger as he navigates the hip-hop world, reminding listeners of his talent and earning power.

The first verse of the song continues along the same lines, focusing on Chamillionaire's luxurious lifestyle and his understanding of the game. He references other rappers, such as Jeezy and Keak Sneak, and draws comparisons between himself and their styles. He also explains how he stays safe in the dangerous hip-hop world by riding with a gun, making it clear that he won't let anyone take advantage of him or his status. Throughout the verse, Chamillionaire seems to be asserting his dominance and showing off his skills, letting his listeners know that he is not just rich but also accomplished.

Overall, "Game Gonna Cost a Fee" is a song about the intersection of wealth and power in the hip-hop world, with Chamillionaire using his own experiences to illustrate the dynamics at play. Through his lyrics, the rapper makes it clear that he understands the game and knows how to navigate it successfully, emphasizing the importance of both wealth and skill in this cutthroat world.

Line by Line Meaning

When I empty my pockets out, all they see is G's
People think I have a lot of money when they see what's in my pockets.

So these groupies think they gonna get that alphabet from me
Girls think I'm going to give them all my money.

So many cars I lost count, so you can count for me
I have a lot of cars that I can't even remember how many.

7, 8, 9, you'll be countin for another week
Even if I have someone count my cars, it would take them a long time.

When I let the top down, they gonna feel a breeze
When I put the roof down on my car, people are going to feel the wind.

Wanna feel that Mother Nature, so they wanna ride with me
People want to ride with me in order to feel close to nature.

Naw, I ain't tryna talk, they say that talk is cheap
I don't want to talk because people say that talk is easy.

And I got a million dollar mouthpiece and this game gonna cost a fee
I am good at speaking (having the gift of gab) and to get into my game, you have to pay a price.

Man, I ain't trippin about these broads, we've been makin this pimpin look easy
I don't worry about girls, because being a pimp comes naturally to me.

I 'Slick Pulla', kinda like dude that's messin with Jeezy
I'm as smooth as a person like Slick Pulla who associates with Jeezy.

I hit that switch and we movin on up just like George Jefferson's Weezie
By pressing a button, my car goes up like George Jefferson's apartment.

I'm long, goin off, (what?), that means my baby needs me
My phone has a lot of calls, which means people need me.

I'm 'ghost ridin in my whip', kinda like Keak Sneak and E-Pheezy
I'm driving my car without actually sitting in it, like Keak Sneak and E-Pheezy.

The top be goin down, like it's tryna sexually please me
The roof of my car goes down smoothly, like it's trying to impress me sexually.

I'm gonna turn on the radio, but I'm not gonna pop in the CD
I'm going to listen to the radio instead of playing a CD.

Cause they playin my song (what?), like I was havin sex with the PD
They play my song on the radio a lot, like I'm having a sexual relationship with the program director.

I'm ridin with a star and banana, bustas better believe me
I'm driving with a famous person and a gun, and people should believe me.

The star is my chick, the banana is my clip and you see where
The star is my girlfriend, and the banana is my weapon's clip and you can imagine the rest.

All got expensive cars, won't allow a jacker to see me
Everyone knows I own expensive cars, but I won't let anyone steal them.

I ride with bananas and shells like Mario and Luigi
I drive with weapons and ammunition, like the Mario Brothers.

You know I stay poppin up like a genie, those be the Lamborghini
I show up suddenly and surprisingly, in my Lamborghini.

The 'top down low' like T.I. Jeezy, Dro, Big Kuntry, and B.G.
I have the roof down low in my car, like T.I., Jeezy, Dro, Big Kuntry, and B.G.

Then I pop that trunk and I let it up just so a hater can read me
I open my trunk so that people who don't like me can see what's inside (possibly my weapon).

I got the streets and that's regardless of what you see on TV
I own the streets, and even if you don't see me on TV, it's still true.

Hang my left hand out the window, it's gonna get really breezy
When I hang my left hand out of the window, the wind gets really strong.

Right now I'm so hot, I'm so on fire, sub-zero couldn't freeze me
I'm extremely popular and successful right now, nothing can stop me.

Get another plaque, then I'ma go back and party like it's my b-day
If I earn another award, I'm going to celebrate like it's my birthday.

March 27th, Ultimate Victory, who's ever with me, hey
I'm proud of my album, Ultimate Victory, and whoever is supporting me, thank you.

I get such a good feeling, cause you're right by my side
I feel good because you're next to me.

And I'm grippin' on that wood wheel, askin' it to be mine
I hold onto the steering wheel tightly, as if I want to own it.

I get such a good feeling, cause you're with me for life
I feel good because you're in my life forever.

And I'm forever on the grind, cause money stay on my mind
I'm always working hard because I'm focused on making money.

Contributed by Connor P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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