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
How We Do It
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro - Chamillionaire - talking]
Chamillionaire.com
It's the Mixtape Don
Hold up Ric
We got to take 'em back, know what I'm talkin 'bout?
Yeah, y'all know the number 832-514-4730
That's the line man, y'all hit me and let me know what go down
Know what I'm talkin 'bout? Yeah
[Verse 1 - Chamillionaire]
Verses so thoed, so the records got sold
22 years old with a mouth full of gold
We in Cleveland on the road, seem like everybody knows
That if you work hard enough, the truth'll expose
Got in beef with Mike Jones, dropped a lot of beef songs
Then the day I got grown and made peace with Mike Jones
In Texas seem like everybody hustlin to keep the lights on
Well cut the mic on
Mayne, had some tension with Paul 'cause that used to be my dog
And it seem like everybody else was tryin to get the ball
But they be said naw, that's the day we impressed
I guess I had to learn to get my own, am I "Correct"?
Now with checks on my desk and my jewelry lookin fresh
And when it come to success, bet nobody can contest
Get love in your city, you'll get hate in your own city too
You know it's all cool, man
[Verse 2 - Chamillionaire]
Freestyle got better, jump shot got worse
So was basketball last and makin rap cash first
Doin rap concerts, that's what I call work
And soon as I hit the turf, the white girls go berserk
Really I ain't never had a whole lot of family
I had to go adopt a VMA and then a Grammy
Talkin to a person that ain't never met a granny
It's lonely at the top, you understand me?
But I still keep it movin, keep the money comin fast
They say the big challenge is to get the dough to mass
Savin money in my stash, movin like the Flash
But it seem the day is longer than the neck on a giraffe
Got Cokes in the cooler, headed to the Kappa Beach
Boys callin for a ride, why you actin like a leech?
1's on my feet, brand new chain and the piece
Every other stop sign I'm takin pictures with a freak, hold up
[Outro - Chamillionaire - talking]
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest eva
Chamillionaire.com
It's the Mixtape Don
Hold up Ric
We got to take 'em back, know what I'm talkin 'bout?
Yeah, y'all know the number 832-514-4730
That's the line man, y'all hit me and let me know what go down
Know what I'm talkin 'bout? Yeah
[Verse 1 - Chamillionaire]
Verses so thoed, so the records got sold
22 years old with a mouth full of gold
We in Cleveland on the road, seem like everybody knows
That if you work hard enough, the truth'll expose
Got in beef with Mike Jones, dropped a lot of beef songs
Then the day I got grown and made peace with Mike Jones
In Texas seem like everybody hustlin to keep the lights on
Well cut the mic on
Mayne, had some tension with Paul 'cause that used to be my dog
And it seem like everybody else was tryin to get the ball
But they be said naw, that's the day we impressed
I guess I had to learn to get my own, am I "Correct"?
Now with checks on my desk and my jewelry lookin fresh
And when it come to success, bet nobody can contest
Get love in your city, you'll get hate in your own city too
You know it's all cool, man
[Verse 2 - Chamillionaire]
Freestyle got better, jump shot got worse
So was basketball last and makin rap cash first
Doin rap concerts, that's what I call work
And soon as I hit the turf, the white girls go berserk
Really I ain't never had a whole lot of family
I had to go adopt a VMA and then a Grammy
Talkin to a person that ain't never met a granny
It's lonely at the top, you understand me?
But I still keep it movin, keep the money comin fast
They say the big challenge is to get the dough to mass
Savin money in my stash, movin like the Flash
But it seem the day is longer than the neck on a giraffe
Got Cokes in the cooler, headed to the Kappa Beach
Boys callin for a ride, why you actin like a leech?
1's on my feet, brand new chain and the piece
Every other stop sign I'm takin pictures with a freak, hold up
[Outro - Chamillionaire - talking]
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest
I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm-I'm the realest eva
In Chamillionaire's song "How We Do It," he reflects on his rise to success and the challenges he faced along the way. He talks about his age, his beef with other artists, his difficulties with former collaborators, his changing priorities, his loneliness, and his experiences with fans. The overall message is that hard work and persistence are key to achieving success, but the path to it is not always smooth.
Chamillionaire emphasizes the importance of learning to stand on your own, get your own success, and not rely on others. He also highlights how success can come with isolation and loneliness, leaving one with few close relationships. However, he is determined to keep pushing forward and achieving more.
The use of colloquial language, such as the phrase "so thoed," and references to specific areas in Texas, give the song a strong sense of place and authenticity. The repetition of "I'm the realest" at the end reinforces Chamillionaire's message that he is true to himself and his experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Verses so thoed, so the records got sold
My verses are so great that they helped the records sell.
22 years old with a mouth full of gold
I'm only 22 and already successful with money to spare.
That if you work hard enough, the truth'll expose
If you work hard, your talent will be recognized and you'll succeed.
Got in beef with Mike Jones, dropped a lot of beef songs
I had some issues with Mike Jones and wrote some diss tracks about him.
In Texas seem like everybody hustlin to keep the lights on
There's a lot of hardworking people in Texas trying to make ends meet.
Mayne, had some tension with Paul 'cause that used to be my dog
Paul and I had some issues, even though we used to be friends.
I guess I had to learn to get my own, am I 'Correct'?
I had to learn to become independent and successful on my own.
Now with checks on my desk and my jewelry lookin fresh
I'm now successful, with checks and flashy jewelry.
Get love in your city, you'll get hate in your own city too
Even in the city where you're loved, you'll also experience hate.
Freestyle got better, jump shot got worse
I became better at freestyle rapping, but worse at basketball.
It's lonely at the top, you understand me?
Being successful can be lonely sometimes.
But I still keep it movin, keep the money comin fast
I'm still hustling and making money quickly.
Savin money in my stash, movin like the Flash
I'm saving and investing my money while moving quickly like The Flash.
Got Cokes in the cooler, headed to the Kappa Beach
I'm on my way to the beach with Coca-Colas in my cooler.
Every other stop sign I'm takin pictures with a freak, hold up
I keep getting stopped by people who want to take pictures with me.
Contributed by Kayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Darth Troller
Chamillionaire should have done more g funk remixes
Waxmaster
Damn...dope lyrics, flow and delivery.
GenxCivic
Cham needs to come back and save us
Fred Donato
Light as a feather did what I was posed to do. “Tend to”
ybz817
@cockzilla100 we proud of him for his whole career
adam wesley
2023 still here
Andre Barrow
It's You Know How We Do It By Ice Cube
Enrique Villalobos
Who’s here in aug 2021?
Aaron Fordyce
Pill finder Messiah 7 was mine and you guys somehow that's a good that's a good name for a rap group Messiah 7 turn on you shame on you hahaha Jasper van Fordyce