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.
-------------------------------------------------------
(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
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
Get Ya Umbrellas Break
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cheah cheah cheah cheah
Chamillitary mayne
We just warming up though
Cheah cheah cheah cheah
Chamillitary mayne
Yeah yeah let me get ready
Cheah cheah cheah cheah
Chamillitary mayne
Mixtape Messiah Part 2 is what you tuned into
Until we get to Mixtape Messiah Part 20 let's go
I'm like a legit criminal doing dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
You ain't never been a baller
Ya always living to be
Money ain't tall all of y'all is my mini mes
Picture y'all ever doing it big as me
Slimmer than the chances of y'all getting rid of me
Uh uh take it easy on em (Take it easy on em)
Uh uh now don't hurt em hammer (Don't hurt em hammer)
Uh uh now take it easy on em (I cock the hammer bam)
Uh uh now don't hurt em hammer
Yeah the Air Forces with the suit
But does that make me a weirdo
Took out the grill they no longer see how the grill glow
I hear ya talking but it's hard for me to hear though
Hearing getting blocked by this 10 karat earlobe (Woo)
You know me got revenge and that was last year
Criminal all the awards getting snatched cheah (Cheah)
Coming with ultimate victory now it's clear
That Chamillionaire coming with heat
Like I'm Shaq's peers (Haha)
I shoplift a rapper for his number 1 spot
Trespass for the cash and stack up a whole knot
And then I mash on the gas gotta go
Here come cops (Pppum)
We outta here (Uh take it easy on em)
Mixtape Messiah Part 2 we almost there baby (Uh uh and don't hurt em hammer)
Until we get to Mixtape Messiah Part 28 (Uh uh take it easy on em)
Y'all know what it is Chamillitary mayne (Uh uh don't hurt em hammer)
Looking at my cars and my clothes
Black on black's the new thing
What you lookin at nigga
Starting to be the new slang
Black on black crime and black on black rhyme all the same
Realize through seeing eyes that we F'ing up the game
The originators didn't survive rappers really your bastards
And the Phantom Rolls Royce is really your caskets
A bunch of babies and ladies period rappers
The naggin keeps goin and goin with no period after
Hall pass pass pass Screw too it's a shame
Some say the purple syrup was the root of the blame
Some call it a Screw so people remember the name
The rest selling tapes screwed tryna eat off his fame
Now I use half of my mind capacity
Smarter people just have to be
Sarcastic critics ain't getting it if you laugh at me
I'm from the south where your mouth will make you a casualty
Criticizing me but your snap dancing to Laffy T
Yeah yeah anywhere on the planet
I seen you all doing that Joc dance dammit
One day I'm ma make a classic if I haven't
Hater is a hateration the Messiah won't have it
Kill you they gonna say he was an idiot man
I spit a verse by doing it the streets give me your praise (Haha)
Fans love you in mysterious ways
Major labels calling em artists but they really are slaves
Pick a grave cause every damn one of em's like a graveyard
And your just an item on sale like it's Kmart
And the budget you working with is your pay card
If your budget's low don't worry don't even pay for it
Just take it I hope that you can run quick
I'm a underground legend like Hump and Lil' Flip
Money is the case yeah usually when it's switched
It's Chamillitary mayne now say it cause it sticks
Even with Paul I never tried to steal all his glory
Never begged Swishahouse niggas to make a hit for me
Now I ain't tryna copy his story
History is me yeah
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
Chamillitary mayne
We just warming up though
Cheah cheah cheah cheah
Chamillitary mayne
Yeah yeah let me get ready
Cheah cheah cheah cheah
Chamillitary mayne
Until we get to Mixtape Messiah Part 20 let's go
I'm like a legit criminal doing dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
You ain't never been a baller
Ya always living to be
Money ain't tall all of y'all is my mini mes
Picture y'all ever doing it big as me
Slimmer than the chances of y'all getting rid of me
Uh uh take it easy on em (Take it easy on em)
Uh uh now don't hurt em hammer (Don't hurt em hammer)
Uh uh now take it easy on em (I cock the hammer bam)
Uh uh now don't hurt em hammer
Yeah the Air Forces with the suit
But does that make me a weirdo
Took out the grill they no longer see how the grill glow
I hear ya talking but it's hard for me to hear though
Hearing getting blocked by this 10 karat earlobe (Woo)
You know me got revenge and that was last year
Criminal all the awards getting snatched cheah (Cheah)
Coming with ultimate victory now it's clear
That Chamillionaire coming with heat
Like I'm Shaq's peers (Haha)
I shoplift a rapper for his number 1 spot
Trespass for the cash and stack up a whole knot
And then I mash on the gas gotta go
Here come cops (Pppum)
We outta here (Uh take it easy on em)
Mixtape Messiah Part 2 we almost there baby (Uh uh and don't hurt em hammer)
Until we get to Mixtape Messiah Part 28 (Uh uh take it easy on em)
Y'all know what it is Chamillitary mayne (Uh uh don't hurt em hammer)
Looking at my cars and my clothes
Black on black's the new thing
What you lookin at nigga
Starting to be the new slang
Black on black crime and black on black rhyme all the same
Realize through seeing eyes that we F'ing up the game
The originators didn't survive rappers really your bastards
And the Phantom Rolls Royce is really your caskets
A bunch of babies and ladies period rappers
The naggin keeps goin and goin with no period after
Hall pass pass pass Screw too it's a shame
Some say the purple syrup was the root of the blame
Some call it a Screw so people remember the name
The rest selling tapes screwed tryna eat off his fame
Now I use half of my mind capacity
Smarter people just have to be
Sarcastic critics ain't getting it if you laugh at me
I'm from the south where your mouth will make you a casualty
Criticizing me but your snap dancing to Laffy T
Yeah yeah anywhere on the planet
I seen you all doing that Joc dance dammit
One day I'm ma make a classic if I haven't
Hater is a hateration the Messiah won't have it
Kill you they gonna say he was an idiot man
I spit a verse by doing it the streets give me your praise (Haha)
Fans love you in mysterious ways
Major labels calling em artists but they really are slaves
Pick a grave cause every damn one of em's like a graveyard
And your just an item on sale like it's Kmart
And the budget you working with is your pay card
If your budget's low don't worry don't even pay for it
Just take it I hope that you can run quick
I'm a underground legend like Hump and Lil' Flip
Money is the case yeah usually when it's switched
It's Chamillitary mayne now say it cause it sticks
Even with Paul I never tried to steal all his glory
Never begged Swishahouse niggas to make a hit for me
Now I ain't tryna copy his story
History is me yeah
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
I'm like a legit criminal doin dirt in the underground
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
Bout to bring the rain
Just so they know how the thunder sound
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
The song "Get Ya Umbrellas" features Chamillionaire boasting about his success and status within the underground rap scene. He compares himself to a criminal doing dirt in the underground and says that everyone is smiling because he runs it now. He promises to bring the rain and make thunder sound so that everyone will need to get their umbrellas out. He also criticizes other rappers, calling many of them babies and ladies, and says that they are not as big as he is.
The song's title and chorus, "Get Ya Umbrellas," is a metaphor for the storm that Chamillionaire is promising to bring with his music. The lyrics are also a commentary on the state of hip-hop at the time, where Chamillionaire believes that too many rappers are not authentic and are focused solely on making money. He also references the history of hip-hop and recognizes the pioneers who came before him.
Overall, "Get Ya Umbrellas" is a powerful and confident song that showcases Chamillionaire's skills as a rapper and his desire to succeed in the industry. It is a nod to his past and a promise to his future, as he continues to strive for greatness in his music career.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like a legit criminal doing dirt in the underground
I am a true master of my craft, operating in the shadows where others dare not venture
Everybody smiling I'm knowing it's cause I run it now
I see the envy and admiration in everyone's faces because I am the one in control now
Bout to bring the rain
I am about to unleash my true power and dominance
Just so they know how the thunder sound
So that everyone can witness the sheer force and impact of my presence
Cheah cheah get ya umbrellas out
Prepare yourselves for the storm I am about to bring
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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