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
I Tip Down
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tip down, grippin' on pine
Sour apple caddie wine berry overline
Paint on shine, reclined on swine
Slab in slow-mo, but my rims on rewind
The block won't mind, trunk blow from behind
Open up the fist see the glow and design, man
So throw'd you can hate em', rose gold in the rotation
Boys wanna hate me but I don't borrow
Prolly cuz my diamonds shinin' on they darling
24's crawlin', ya boy is ballin'
5th wheel wiggle like the fin on a dolphin
Sittin' on diss but the words out my lips
I go hard in the paint, I can make the beat skip
I go fed off the head, stack my bread
never scared threaten me get infra-red and I throw lead
I'm that boy mayne, I'm in that toy mayne
Flip-flop paint when I slide watch that toy change
Stay on my grind, stay on the pine
That's why my gold's shine and you blind all the time
I be comin' down, all my girls fine
They call me M&M's I got red, yella's and browns, man.
I be comin' down, I be tippin' down
[Hook: Chamillionaire]
You can tell I'm tippin' down
Rims spinnin' in rewind
Top is up I let it down
From that H-Town to yo town, we tippin' down
You can tell I'm tippin' down
How my trunk is showin' surround
Ask them how they like me now
From that H-Town to yo town, we tippin' down
[Chamillionaire]
I tip down, bangin' underground
Clear coats on shine
prisma drippin' off like slime
I tip down, at Action number 9
Tell the diamonds drip down
from my spine to the ground
When are you gon' sign
stop worryin' bout mine
Put ya mouth to use and give my spinners a spit-shine
If yall don't mind, please don't talk down
Put the 9 to your mind and blow ya mind outta ya mind, man
Niggaz gon' hate but they can't wait
some claimin' they real really they fake
And ride in the slab spent a day shakin'
speakers keep breakin' the playstation
It's Akeem, also known as the King
Zeem-Zeem sour beam my screens pop up on the scene
Well what are you watchin'?, tell the truth it don't matter
Shout out to J-Mack, Mella Mac and the Mad Hatter
Spreewell's standin' on the ladder
squash the cheddar ain't on my level
The plex can't get settled
pop the trunk and I get metal
You can leave Jamaica
make a run move and I break ya
One-Two, breaker, breaker
my plane fleein' to Jamaica
break ya neck I'ma day shaker
No luck I play with skills
After playin' skills after the game I'm payin' bills
Midwest say I'm real, the South say I'm trill
Step out the Cheville still holdin' my woodwheel
Stop at IHOP ain't never gon' pay the bill
Carrots in my mouth I'm already havin' a good meal
Northside fa'real, mm man, hold up man
Ro, Twin where yall at, yall gotta tip down with me man
[Hook: Chamillionaire]
You can tell I'm tippin' down
Rims spinnin' in rewind
Top is up I let it down
From that H-Town to yo town, we tippin' down
You can tell I'm tippin' down
How my trunk is showin' surround
Ask them how they like me now
From that H-Town to yo town, we tippin' down
The song "I Tip Down" by Chamillionaire and Rasaq is a rap song that describes their fancy and flashy lifestyle. They talk about their love for car culture, such as spinning rims and expensive paint jobs. They use slang terms like "slab" (a customized car), "swangin'" (driving a car in a swaying motion), and "bling" (refers to the flashy and expensive jewelry they wear). They also mention their love for women and how they enjoy being surrounded by beautiful women.
The hook of the song repeats the phrase "tippin' down" which is a slang term used to describe the act of driving in a low-riding car with spinning rims. The lyrics are full of wordplay and clever rhymes. The rappers express their confidence and success by stating that they are "ballin'" and living a luxurious lifestyle.
Overall, the song depicts a lifestyle filled with luxury, cars, and women. It celebrates the rappers' success and challenges their haters to step up to their level.
Line by Line Meaning
I tip down, grippin' on pine
I am driving my car slowly, tightly holding onto the steering wheel
Sour apple caddie wine berry overline
The color of my car is a mix of green, red, and purple
Paint on shine, reclined on swine
The glossy paint on my car makes it shine, and I am comfortably sitting back in my seat
Slab in slow-mo, but my rims on rewind
I am driving my car slowly, but the rims on my wheels look like they are spinning backward at high speed
The block won't mind, trunk blow from behind
People in this neighborhood are used to hearing loud music and bass coming from car trunks
Open up the fist see the glow and design, man
My expensive jewelry is so flashy and shiny that you can hardly tell it's in my closed fist
So throw'd you can hate em', rose gold in the rotation
My expensive rose gold jewelry is so dazzling that people might envy me for it
Shoulder blade and dislocation, when I'm swangin' bones is achin'
My shoulder blade and joints hurt from the physical exertion of swerving and driving recklessly
Boys wanna hate me but I don't borrow
Other people might dislike me, but I don't need to borrow things from them
Prolly cuz my diamonds shinin' on they darling
They probably envy me because my diamonds are shining brighter than theirs on their loved ones
24's crawlin', ya boy is ballin'
I'm driving a car with 24-inch wheels and I'm living a wealthy and luxurious lifestyle
5th wheel wiggle like the fin on a dolphin
The spare tire on my car moves around when I'm driving, resembling the movement of a dolphin's fin
Sittin' on diss but the words out my lips
I'm sitting on a comfortable seat, and the lyrics that I'm rapping are effortlessly flowing from my mouth
I go hard in the paint, I can make the beat skip
I am strong and bold, and I rap so well that I can make the beat of the music skip
I go fed off the head, stack my bread
I make lots of money through my rapping, and I always come up with fresh, new ideas for my songs
never scared threaten me get infra-red and I throw lead
If someone threatens me, I am not afraid to use guns and aim with precision
I'm that boy mayne, I'm in that toy mayne
I am a cool and popular guy, and I love to drive expensive cars
Flip-flop paint when I slide watch that toy change
The color of my car changes depending on the angle and lighting, making it look even more impressive
Stay on my grind, stay on the pine
I am always working hard and maintaining my success, even if it means staying in my car for long periods of time
That's why my gold's shine and you blind all the time
I am so successful and flashy that my gold jewelry shines brightly and blinds people who are less fortunate
I be comin' down, all my girls fine
When I arrive, I do it in style, and I usually have attractive women with me
They call me M&M's I got red, yella's and browns, man.
People refer to my jewelry as M&M's because I have pieces in red, yellow, and brown colors
I tip down, bangin' underground
I am driving my car, listening to loud music that is not mainstream or popular
Clear coats on shine prisma drippin' off like slime
My car's paint is so shiny and clear that it looks like liquid dripping off of the car, and the colors are vibrant and beautiful
Tell the diamonds drip down from my spine to the ground
My expensive diamond jewelry is so beautiful and heavy that it seems like they are dripping down from my neck and back, to the ground
When are you gon' sign, stop worryin' bout mine
When will record labels realize my talent and sign me, instead of focusing on other artists?
Put ya mouth to use and give my spinners a spit-shine
If you are going to talk to me, do something useful and clean my shiny wheel rims with your mouth
If yall don't mind, please don't talk down
If you are not going to be nice, please don't speak negatively toward me or my hobbies
Put the 9 to your mind and blow ya mind outta ya mind, man
If someone tries to threaten me, I will retaliate with a firearm and possibly kill them
Niggaz gon' hate but they can't wait
People might envy me and dislike me, but deep down they are still intrigued and curious about my success
some claimin' they real really they fake
Some people pretend to be genuine and honest, but in reality they are fake and dishonest
And ride in the slab spent a day shakin'
People who ride in my car often feel the vibrations and shaking, due to the loud music and powerful engine
speakers keep breakin' the playstation
The powerful sound of my car's audio system is so strong that it can break or interfere with other electronic devices nearby
It's Akeem, also known as the King
I am a great and powerful individual, and some people call me by a royal title
Zeem-Zeem sour beam my screens pop up on the scene
As I drive by, the screens on my car windows pop up like magic, revealing my expensive sound system and music videos
Well what are you watchin'?, tell the truth it don't matter
I am so impressive and interesting that people are compelled to watch me or follow me, regardless of the content
Spreewell's standin' on the ladder
My car is equipped with expensive, custom-made rims inspired by basketball player Latrell Sprewell
squash the cheddar ain't on my level
I am so rich that I don't have to worry about petty cash, because I am on a whole different level
The plex can't get settled
I am so famous and influential that the paparazzi and journalists can't seem to get enough of me, and the hype never dies down
pop the trunk and I get metal
If I open the trunk of my car, I will reveal a lot of valuable, metallic objects
You can leave Jamaica, make a run move and I break ya
Even if you try to escape to another country, I have powerful connections and resources that will enable me to find you and hurt you
One-Two, breaker, breaker
I am speaking through a CB radio channel, and I am sending a message to someone to listen up and pay attention
my plane fleein' to Jamaica, break ya neck I'ma day shaker
I am so successful that I can afford to travel by plane to Jamaica whenever I want, and I am a powerful force who can influence others to shake in fear
No luck I play with skills
I am not just lucky, I am talented and skilled in everything I do
After playin' skills after the game I'm payin' bills
Even after I showcase my talents and skills, I still have to work hard and pay my bills like everyone else
Midwest say I'm real, the South say I'm trill
People from different regions of the US have differing opinions about me, but they generally agree that I am authentic and cool
Step out the Chevelle still holdin' my woodwheel
I step out of my expensive Chevrolet car, but I'm still holding onto my wooden steering wheel because I love it so much
Stop at IHOP ain't never gon' pay the bill
I stop at a popular restaurant called IHOP, but I am so wealthy and famous that I will never have to pay the bill myself
Carrots in my mouth I'm already havin' a good meal
I am so rich and famous that I can afford to have jewelry in my mouth resembling carrots, and I already feel satisfied with my wealth and lifestyle
Northside fa'real, mm man, hold up man
I am from the Northside of Houston, and I am telling people around me to wait and listen to me for a moment
Ro, Twin where yall at, yall gotta tip down with me man
I am calling out to my friends Ro and Twin, asking them to join me in my luxurious lifestyle and drive their own expensive cars
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rzrselliott
This will always be a classic jam from that '03-'05 era, shit takes me back
Eric Philen
The level of how hard this went was on another level mayne!!!
Jay S
Still to this day
Kyle Gardner
Cham and Fab are the only two rappers who can literally flow to any beat and sound natural
Mark Garza
Classic Chamillionaire & Rasaq came with a new style to the Rap Game
Duke Nukem
this takes me back to middle school ,.holy shit the nostalgia i can't take it
Jake
I wanted to hear him go off for like 10 mins on this beat back in the day lol.
Jason Andrade
still going hard
Justin coffey
Classic freestyle💯💯
emill910
this shit goes hard