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
Here We Go
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's life
Ooh ooh ooh alright
Can't you see that it's raining (Hold up)
Can't you see that it's pouring
They just wanna see rainfall (Hold up)
They just hope that it's storming
I was gonna tell you when it rains it pours
Mother Nature's playing her part (Come on)
I don't have a lot of time to tell you this
But this is where we gone start (Hold up)
Teenager from the North side of town
It was a rainy day in Houston now
Wasn't no hopers out
Just people that would loot your house
In a city where they used to smile
You could lose your child
Think back when I heard a rap
I would listen to the words of Chad and Bun B
Have you heard of that is what I heard them ask
I never ever heard them laugh
Uncle Ro was a street cat
He was down with a Chi-town producer named Hurt-M-Badd
He did Hail Mary for 2Pac
When he spoke everybody listened to him
Like you heard the man
I met them out rap a lot
I was dropping of my partner crime
And I was really young at the time
I wasn't even supposed to be there
He asked me to come with him
Cause he knew I could rap some lines
No problem on the way driving
Everybody else working on their day job and
Don't sell weight no I ain't robbing
I'm ma keep going told em that I ain't stopping
Had rhymes I was tryna bust
I guess I said something that was live enough
I had the type of vibe that these guys could trust
And one said you should come out to the Chi with us
Can't do it took a little while to get cool
This relationship was brand new
But you know I had too
Fast forward three months later
Where do you think Cham flew
Touch down in a windy place
Make a move to Chicago
Work for survival Vice Lords and Disciples
Stay gangster was the motto really what do I know
Well I learned real quick how to not die
Don't wear your ball cap to the wrong side
Matter fact you don't wanna get the wrong vibe
Don't wear the ball cap if you gone ride
It's what he told me and he was OG
And when I listened to him I had did it closely
It was cold so he brought me a coogi
And matter fact he never told me you owe me
Think about it that was cool as hell
And I was try'na rap tryna do it well
He had that type of hustle that included scales
The type of hustle that could put a dude in jail
I slept on his couch I had said my prayer
Like why the hell did I move way out here
How did I get this great idea
Three months later I disappear
Chamillionaire's song "Here We Go" starts with a reassuring phrase that lets listeners know they are about to embark on a journey. The first verse talks about rain and storms in a metaphorical sense. Chamillionaire suggests that people want trouble and difficulty, just like how they wish for rainfall. He then talks about his journey in life, growing up as a teenager in the North side of Houston, and how he discovered rap music. Despite growing up in a tough neighborhood, Chamillionaire never gave up and kept pushing himself to become a better rapper. He was so talented that the other guys in the neighborhood encouraged him to leave Houston and pursue his dreams in Chicago.
When Chamillionaire arrived in Chicago, he learned how to survive in a new environment, surrounded by vice lords and disciples who were always trying to intimidate and threaten him. He learned to be careful, to avoid wearing a ball cap on the wrong side or sending out the wrong vibe. Chamillionaire learned to trust the OGs who had more experience and knowledge, and he gained respect by being authentic and real. He went from sleeping on a couch to becoming one of the most successful rappers of his generation.
Overall, the song delivers a message of hope and persistence, showing that even when life gets tough, one can always make a way out and find success through hard work and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go again
The singer is acknowledging that they are about to share a story or experience.
That's life
The singer is indicating that the story they are about to share is representative of typical human experiences.
Ooh ooh ooh alright
The singer is expressing excitement and anticipation for what is to come.
Can't you see that it's raining (Hold up)
The artist is drawing attention to the fact that conditions are not favorable or ideal.
Can't you see that it's pouring
The artist is emphasizing that the conditions are particularly severe or challenging.
They just wanna see rainfall (Hold up)
The singer is suggesting that others are hoping for or eager to see adverse conditions for their own entertainment or amusement.
They just hope that it's storming
The singer is further emphasizing that others are hoping for extra severe or dangerous conditions.
I was gonna tell you when it rains it pours
The artist is using the metaphor of heavy rainfall to describe an experience in which negative events or circumstances compound and become overwhelming.
Mother Nature's playing her part (Come on)
The artist is emphasizing that sometimes terrible things happen naturally, beyond human control.
I don't have a lot of time to tell you this
The artist is indicating that the story they are about to tell may be lengthy or detailed.
But this is where we gone start (Hold up)
The singer is indicating that this moment marks the beginning of the story they are about to share.
Teenager from the North side of town
The artist is beginning their story by describing their background and origins.
It was a rainy day in Houston now
The singer is setting the scene of their story, and emphasizing additional negative atmospheric conditions.
Wasn't no hopers out
The singer is indicating that there were not many optimistic or hopeful people in their area.
Just people that would loot your house
The singer is describing the potential criminal elements of their community.
In a city where they used to smile
The artist is indicating that their community used to be a happy and positive place.
You could lose your child
The artist is further emphasizing the high levels of danger and criminal activity in their area.
Think back when I heard a rap
The singer is reflecting on a moment in the past when they first heard a particular style of music.
I would listen to the words of Chad and Bun B
The singer is sharing the names of two artists who influenced their early musical tastes and preferences.
Have you heard of that is what I heard them ask
The artist is recalling a time when someone asked them if they were familiar with this music or these artists.
I never ever heard them laugh
The artist did not sense any ridicule or mockery in the question, and felt good about their love for this type of music.
Uncle Ro was a street cat
The artist is introducing a character from their past who had a certain reputation or identity.
He was down with a Chi-town producer named Hurt-M-Badd
The singer is revealing a connection between Uncle Ro and a music producer from Chicago.
He did Hail Mary for 2Pac
The artist is further sharing the producer's musical accomplishments.
When he spoke everybody listened to him
The singer is emphasizing the level of respect and authority that Uncle Ro commanded in their community.
Like you heard the man
The singer is indicating that Uncle Ro's words and opinions carried a great deal of weight in their community.
I met them out rap a lot
The singer is sharing that they met Uncle Ro and other musical figures from Houston's Rap-A-Lot Records music label.
I was dropping of my partner crime
The artist is describing a specific moment in which they were accompanying a friend or partner.
And I was really young at the time
The artist is pointing out that they were relatively inexperienced or immature at this point in their life.
I wasn't even supposed to be there
The singer is indicating that they were in a place or situation where they did not necessarily belong or feel comfortable.
He asked me to come with him
The singer is indicating that Uncle Ro invited them to join him and his musical entourage.
Cause he knew I could rap some lines
The artist is sharing that Uncle Ro recognized their talent for rapping or making music.
No problem on the way driving
The artist is sharing an important detail of their journey with Uncle Ro and company.
Everybody else working on their day job and
The artist is highlighting the fact that many other people their age were pursuing more traditional or mainstream careers.
Don't sell weight no I ain't robbing
The singer is sharing that they were not engaged in drug selling or criminal activities in order to make a living.
I'm ma keep going told em that I ain't stopping
The artist is indicating that they were determined to continue pursuing music and building their career, despite any obstacles or setbacks.
Had rhymes I was tryna bust
The singer is referring to lyrics or verses that they were working on or practicing in order to improve as a rapper.
I guess I said something that was live enough
The singer is sharing that at some point, their rapping or lyrics impressed someone in the Uncle Ro camp.
I had the type of vibe that these guys could trust
The singer is suggesting that their personality and character traits were attractive or compelling to others within their musical community.
And one said you should come out to the Chi with us
The artist is sharing a pivotal moment in their career, when one of their musical associates invited them to travel to Chicago to pursue music.
Can't do it took a little while to get cool
The artist is indicating that they were hesitant or nervous about making this major move to Chicago at first.
This relationship was brand new
The singer is emphasizing that their connection to their Chicago associates was only just beginning, and not yet solidified.
But you know I had too
The singer is indicating that despite their initial reservations, they felt compelled or driven to make this career move and take that risk.
Fast forward three months later
The artist is indicating that some time has passed since their initial decision to travel to Chicago.
Where do you think Cham flew
The artist is posing a rhetorical question about where they themselves traveled to.
Touch down in a windy place
The artist is describing their arrival in Chicago, which is known for its cold, windy weather.
Make a move to Chicago
The singer is sharing that they made a significant life change by moving to Chicago for their music career.
Work for survival Vice Lords and Disciples
The artist is indicating that they worked hard and were affiliated with certain street gangs in order to survive and succeed in Chicago as a rapper.
Stay gangster was the motto really what do I know
The singer is reflecting on how their immersion in Chicago's hip hop culture led them to adopt certain attitudes and behaviors that could be classified as 'gangster', but that they were still a relative outsider to this culture.
Well I learned real quick how to not die
The singer is indicating that living in Chicago, and particularly being involved with street gangs, was extremely dangerous and they had to learn quickly how to stay safe and avoid violent situations.
Don't wear your ball cap to the wrong side
The singer is sharing a specific piece of advice they received from an older, more experienced person in their Chicago community.
Matter fact you don't wanna get the wrong vibe
The artist is emphasizing the importance of being aware of and respectful towards different factions or groups within the Chicago hip hip scene.
Don't wear the ball cap if you gone ride
The artist is further emphasizing that certain fashion choices or behaviors could have serious consequences in Chicago's street scene.
It's what he told me and he was OG
The singer is reiterating that this advice came from a respected elder or authority figure within their hip hop community.
And when I listened to him I had did it closely
The singer is indicating that they took this piece of advice very seriously and followed it closely, in order to stay safe and respected in their Chicago community.
It was cold so he brought me a coogi
The artist is sharing a moment of kindness and generosity from this older person in their Chicago rap community, who provided them with a warm sweater during a cold time of year.
And matter fact he never told me you owe me
The artist is emphasizing that this older person never asked for repayment or anything in return for his kindness and help.
Think about it that was cool as hell
The artist is still reflecting on the positive impact that this older person's kindness had on them.
And I was try'na rap tryna do it well
The singer is emphasizing that despite the many challenges of their new environment and community, they were still focused and determined to succeed as a rapper in Chicago.
He had that type of hustle that included scales
The artist is revealing that this older person in their community was also involved in drug dealing or other illegal activities, in order to make ends meet.
The type of hustle that could put a dude in jail
The singer is warning that this type of illegal activity was dangerous and could have serious consequences for those involved.
I slept on his couch I had said my prayer
The singer is sharing a personal moment of vulnerability and honesty, when they relied on this older person for housing and support while pursuing their career.
Like why the hell did I move way out here
The singer is expressing a moment of doubt or insecurity, when they questioned why they had made such a risky and challenging move to Chicago for their career.
How did I get this great idea
The artist is reflecting on the decision to move to Chicago for their career, and wondering how they were able to have such a bold and risky idea.
Three months later I disappear
The artist is indicating that they ultimately left Chicago after several months of pursuing their career there, but not sharing the reason why.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC
Written by: TYLER KEYES, HAKEEM T. SERIKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yoshikage EHKOS
Really feelin' this track, and it's cool how he told us his origins a bit. Always been a good storyteller.
janboblarry
Loved this EP!!!
TheKKoopa
As usual a dope intro for a great CD!
Jamaal Greenway
Here lizard lizard! He's kills it every time
Jimmie Williams
Damn Koopa keep'em coming! Killa verses PERIOD
IntoTheFray
The reason why you didn't see Cham after 2007 on the mainstream is because Universal was trying to take all of his creative control away....he said himself that he ain't dancing with the devil.
JJ Guzman
The best to ever do it
SkiteXx
Everything is now fair,our man is over there,Chamillionaire!!! TOP))))
Imadhii
Chamillionaire is back (Y)
INTERx4EVER
Fire!!!