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
Hopeful
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey yo Koopa what's up man, this is Lil' Josh man
I'm calling from Cleveland, Ohio man
And basically, I'm just calling to let you know that you know I'm saying
Up here, y'all boys is the only thing that we really jam
Know I'm saying, Koopa I'm a huge fan of the old Chamillitary Entertainment
Click movement man, that I can rap you know I'm saying
I know you prolly get people, that say they could rap all day
[Chamillionaire]
Ain't really knowing where you going, but you going through it
Ah you love to go to the studio, devoted to it
Light up a swisha nigga, get a sweet and blow it to it
Cause this year gonna be a year, you'll be sure to do it
I know ya going through some thangs, trying to get in the game
But you complain, cause these rappers that you hearing is laim
And it's a shame, that ain't nobody seeing your pain
It's like, and tears never show in the rain
But you don't hear me though, like the music really low
You love rap mayn, but you don't feel the gimmicks no
You feel like you a real nigga, when you spit a flow
Everybody'll be on your dick, when you finna blow
Yeah-yeah, you know I hear ya mayn
Situation ain't changed, mayn it's still the same
You trying to get at Puff, you trying to get at Dame
Plastic crack in the trunk, trying to get a name
But they diss you, everytime you approach the guy
How you survive, you can't sell a c.d. mo' than five
Trust me, they couldn't feel your pain mo' than I
Keep on grinding for it, and your money multiply
I, use to scrabble raps up in my pad
No do' just hope, yep that's all I had
And my family, they didn't like it that's why I was mad
Couldn't live up my own dreams, that's why I was bad
Bad yeah, and you could color me bad
But now the screen looking green, and they shoving me that
I hear him scream bout the cream, but it doesn't be fact
Cause it's only a few that's true, and really does it with rap
That's the truth, that y'all would never hear
Cause the picture they try to paint for you, is never clear
Paint the pictures I see right through it, like it's Ever-clear
You don't know the truth when you hear it, get a better ear yeah
(*Faith Evans*)
Cause I'm hopeful, yes I am hopeful for today
Take this music and use it, let it take you away
And be hopeful-hopeful, and he'll make a way
I know it ain't easy, but that's ok - 2x
(*singing*)
(*fan on phone*)
You know I'm saying, you a underground legend
You know I'm saying, I look up to you Koopa and
I would love to sign with Chamillitary
I would love to be a part of Color Changin' Click man
I know you got a busy schedule man, but I'm telling you Koopa
If you'd just give me a shot man, I know you won't regret it man
I just really wanna be down with you man, I'm saying
This Lil' Josh, from Cleveland
The beginning of the song consists of a phone conversation between Chamillionaire and a fan named Lil' Josh who admires the rapper and is eager to join his label, Color Changin' Click. Chamillionaire acknowledges his struggles as a rapper who is trying to make it in the music industry, facing difficulties such as hearing lame raps, struggling to make money, and being unable to get recognition from major labels. However, he encourages Lil' Josh to keep going and continue to grind for success, as he himself did when he was just starting out. The chorus, sung by Faith Evans, emphasizes the message of hope and the importance of music as a form of escape.
The song's overall message is one of perseverance and determination, encouraging listeners to never give up on their dreams despite the obstacles they may face. Chamillionaire uses his own experiences to connect with fans who may feel discouraged or alone in their struggles, and offers words of encouragement to uplift and motivate them. The use of the phone conversation at the beginning of the song adds a personal touch and highlights the connection between the artist and his fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't really knowing where you going, but you going through it
You're feeling lost but still pushing forward
Ah you love to go to the studio, devoted to it
You find solace in music and work hard at it
Light up a swisha nigga, get a sweet and blow it to it
You use weed to escape from your problems
Cause this year gonna be a year, you'll be sure to do it
You have a feeling that this year, things will finally work out for you
I know ya going through some thangs, trying to get in the game
You are facing struggles trying to make it in the music industry
But you complain, cause these rappers that you hearing is laim
You are frustrated with the current state of rap and its lack of substance
And it's a shame, that ain't nobody seeing your pain
You feel like no one understands the difficulties you're facing
It's like, and tears never show in the rain
You're dealing with your struggles alone, and your pain is invisible to others
But you don't hear me though, like the music really low
You feel like no one is listening to you or understands you
You love rap mayn, but you don't feel the gimmicks no
You love hip-hop but are frustrated with the fake personas and gimmicks that some artists use
You feel like you a real nigga, when you spit a flow
You feel like you can express your true self through your lyrics
Everybody'll be on your dick, when you finna blow
Once you start getting popular, everyone will want to associate with you and your success
Yeah-yeah, you know I hear ya mayn
I'm listening to you and understand where you're coming from
Situation ain't changed, mayn it's still the same
Your struggles are ongoing and haven't improved
You trying to get at Puff, you trying to get at Dame
You're trying to find connections and get noticed by influential people in the music industry
Plastic crack in the trunk, trying to get a name
You're trying to get noticed by selling your CDs out of your car
But they diss you, everytime you approach the guy
When you try to reach out to established artists, they disrespect you
How you survive, you can't sell a c.d. mo' than five
It's hard to make money in the music industry when you're unknown
Trust me, they couldn't feel your pain mo' than I
I understand your struggles better than anyone else
Keep on grinding for it, and your money multiply
Keep working hard, and eventually, you will start to see financial success
I, use to scrabble raps up in my pad
I used to write raps on scraps of paper
No do' just hope, yep that's all I had
I had nothing but hope and my talent
And my family, they didn't like it that's why I was mad
My family didn't support my dreams of becoming a rapper, which made me angry
Couldn't live up my own dreams, that's why I was bad
Not being able to pursue my dreams made me feel angry and frustrated
But now the screen looking green, and they shoving me that
Now that I'm successful, people are throwing opportunities and money my way
I hear him scream bout the cream, but it doesn't be fact
Other rappers talk about money, but not everyone is making as much as they claim
Cause it's only a few that's true, and really does it with rap
Only a few artists are genuine and successful solely due to their talent
That's the truth, that y'all would never hear
The honest reality of the music industry is often hidden from the public
Cause the picture they try to paint for you, is never clear
The media often distorts the reality of the music industry for their own purposes
Paint the pictures I see right through it, like it's Ever-clear
I can see through the lies and deceptions in the music industry
You don't know the truth when you hear it, get a better ear yeah
If you want to understand the true nature of the music industry, you need to be more discerning and critical
Cause I'm hopeful, yes I am hopeful for today
I am optimistic about the future
Take this music and use it, let it take you away
Music can be a form of escapism and provide comfort during difficult times
And be hopeful-hopeful, and he'll make a way
Stay optimistic, and things will work out eventually
I know it ain't easy, but that's ok - 2x
Acknowledging that life is hard, but it's important to keep going and stay hopeful
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.