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 Break
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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]
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
In Chamillionaire's song "Game Gonna Cost a Fee," he talks about the cost of the game, referring to the rap industry and the lifestyle that comes with it. He flaunts his wealth, talking about emptying his pockets of "G's," or money, and owning so many cars that he's lost count. He also references the "groupies," or women who are after him for his money and fame. Chamillionaire, however, isn't interested in talking to them because he knows that the game comes at a cost.
He continues to describe the lifestyle that comes with the rap game, referencing other rappers like Jeezy and Keak Sneak. He also talks about having expensive cars and carrying a gun with him for protection, comparing himself to the video game characters Mario and Luigi. The final verse of the song shows Chamillionaire's determination to continue working hard, always on the grind and focused on making more money.
Overall, "Game Gonna Cost a Fee" is a commentary on the high price of success in the rap industry, both in terms of money and personal sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
When I empty my pockets out, all they see is G's
People see me flashing cash all the time
So these groupies think they gonna get that alphabet from me
Girls want a piece of my money and fame, but they can't have it all
So many cars I lost count, so you can count for me
I have so many cars, I don't even bother counting
7, 8, 9, you'll be countin for another week
It's impossible to count them all because they have too many
When I let the top down, they gonna feel a breeze
When I ride with the top down, girls want to join me in the car because they enjoy the feeling
Wanna feel that Mother Nature, so they wanna ride with me
They want to be with someone who enjoys nature and is cool like me
Naw, I ain't tryna talk, they say that talk is cheap
I don't like chat, girls should feel privileged to even be riding with me
And I got a million dollar mouthpiece and this game gonna cost a fee
I speak well and eloquently, and if you want to be with me or play my game, it's going to cost a lot of money
Man, I ain't trippin about these broads, we've been makin this pimpin look easy
I don't care much about girls, they always come to me trying to get something and I'm cool like that
I 'Slick Pulla' (what?), kinda like dude that's messin with Jeezy
I'm as smooth as Slick Pulla, a pimp who's got nothing on me
I hit that switch and we movin on up just like George Jefferson's Weezie (yeah)
I can elevate my lifestyle and move up quickly, just like George and Louise Jefferson in the show The Jeffersons
I'm long, goin off, (what?), that means my baby needs me
I stay busy and focused on my goals, because that's what my fans expect from me
I'm 'ghost ridin in my whip', kinda like Keak Sneak and E-Pheezy
I love to drive around without holding onto the steering wheel, just like Keak Sneak and E-Pheezy
The top be goin down, like it's tryna sexually please me
When the car top is down, it feels like the car is trying to get me excited
I'm gonna turn on the radio, but I'm not gonna pop in the CD
I listen to the music on the radio because I'm always on the move
Cause they playin my song (what?), like I was havin sex with the PD
The radio loves my music as if I was having sex with one of the program directors
I'm ridin with a star and banana, bustas better believe me
I'm cool because I always ride in cars that people can't afford, with my girlfriend and my gun
The star is my chick, the banana is my clip and you see where
The star is a metaphor for my hot girlfriend, the banana is for my gun, and you know what that means
All got expensive cars, won't allow a jacker to see me
All of my cars are expensive and I won't let anybody steal them from me
I ride with bananas and shells like Mario and Luigi
I'm always carrying a gun and lots of ammunition, just like Mario and Luigi had in their video game
You know I stay poppin up like a genie, those be the Lamborghini
I'm always showing up in fancy cars, like a genie showing up in his bottle
The 'top down low' like T.I. Jeezy, Dro, Big Kuntry, and B.G.
I always ride in expensive cars with the top down, just like other famous rappers
Then I pop that trunk and I let it up just so a hater can read me
I like to show off my expensive car by opening the trunk and letting anyone who hates on me see it clearly
I got the streets and that's regardless of what you see on TV
I'm loved by everyone in the streets, and that's regardless of what gets shown on TV
Hang my left hand out the window, it's gonna get really breezy
When I hang my hand outside the car window, it feels like I'm flying through the air
Right now I'm so hot, I'm so on fire, sub-zero couldn't freeze me
I'm extremely famous and successful right now, and not even the coldest weather could stop me
Get another plaque, then I'ma go back and party like it's my b-day
When I win another award, I'll celebrate as if it's my birthday
March 27th, Ultimate Victory, who's ever with me, hey
My album Ultimate Victory was released on March 27th, and whoever supported me is great
I get such a good feeling, cause you're right by my side
I feel great because my girlfriend is always there for me when I need her
And I'm grippin on that wood wheel, askin it to be mine
I love driving my fancy cars, and treat the wood steering wheel like it's my possession
I'm forever on the grind, cause money stay on my mind
I'm constantly working hard to get money, and that thought is always on my mind
I get such a good feeling, I cannot be denied
I feel so positive and confident in myself, no one can bring me down
Contributed by Jayce T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.