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
Makes Me Stronger
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stronger
[Hook - x2]
I ain't the rapper that you want to talk noise to
It only makes me stronger
Only makes me stronger, stronger, stronger
Call the police, a paramedic and a nurse
Rap might be dead, but know what makes the matter worse?
(What?) I left my masters where the dada lurks
And Universal Records probably doesn't even have a hearse
I can't lose like I have a curse
I used to love her, but now I date a badder verse
It seems like acting got a fatter purse
I'm almighty with mix tapes, you back to church
My homeboy, was always a man of turf
Cause he be interred, like the words on a mechanic shirt
I think I need to send a fan alert
Nonsense, sure to send a humble?
I'm so cool, I jump in a pool
And everything that's in it ain't blue turn blue
Man I'm so cool, I walk into school
And numbers on the ruler tell me that I rule
Who, can make a mix tape skin
Have goosebumps if a mix tape had skin
I'm, Lennox Lewis with the left, right, left
I'm knocking out a mix tape's wind
I say whatever I want to say like Kanye
I'm calling, telling have a nice day
If hip hop is dead then I say
That i escaped Death Row like I'm Dre
Cause you're pale and I'm looking colourful
Don't lie about my mix tapes, I know you love em fool.
I know you love em fool
I had to drop part 2, that means another's due
She told me Ridin' Dirty was a hard tune
And then told me to call her at tomorrow noon
One night with me is really your doom
I'll be sticking something in it like a harpoon
18th of September on your calendar
Chamillionaire gets badderer and badderer
Chamillionaire badder than the average huh
I'm a, I'm a raw like an animal
Haha, if a man is mechanical
I'll come through and do what a real man would do
And you'll change your whole thing
Like Claire Reid sleeping in bed with Hannibal the Cannibal
[Repeat - x3]
Stronger
[Hook - x2]
The song "Makes Me Stronger" by Chamillionaire is predominantly about the rapper's perseverance in the face of adversity. The hook and chorus of the song emphasize that any negativity or hate directed towards him only serves to make him stronger. In the first verse, Chamillionaire touches on the issue of losing one's artistic integrity in pursuit of commercial success. He talks about leaving his masters where "dada" lurks, possibly referring to a figure head or a mentor who represents artistic liberty. He also alludes to the death of rap as an art form, suggesting that a lack of artistic integrity may lead to its eventual demise. However, his ability to create mixtapes is something that he attributes to his strength, likening himself to Lennox Lewis in his ability to knock out other mixtapes. Towards the end of the verse, he speaks about the criticism surrounding his style of music, but also acknowledges that there are loyal fans who love his work.
In the second verse, he delves deeper into the idea of being true to oneself as an artist. He asserts that he says whatever he feels like, much like Kanye West, and takes pride in his genre-defining mixtapes. He also talks about his sexual prowess, using imagery of sticking a harpoon in a woman to showcase his dominance. The verse ends with Chamillionaire promising to become "badderer and badderer" come September 18th, possibly referring to a planned release of new music. Overall, the song emphasizes Chamillionaire's resilience and determination, in spite of the challenges he has faced in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't the rapper that you want to talk noise to
I'm not the kind of rapper that you should be trying to provoke
It only makes me stronger
In fact, when you talk trash, it only motivates me to be better
Only makes me stronger, stronger, stronger
Every time someone doubts me, it makes me even more determined to succeed
Call the police, a paramedic and a nurse
My rhymes are so hot they might require emergency assistance
Rap might be dead, but know what makes the matter worse?
Even though some people think hip-hop is dying, there are still other problems to worry about
(What?) I left my masters where the dada lurks
My music is in the hands of industry professionals who don't always understand its value
And Universal Records probably doesn't even have a hearse
Even if my music dies, the record label won't necessarily care
I can't lose like I have a curse
Sometimes I feel like I'm destined to succeed, no matter what obstacles come my way
I used to love her, but now I date a badder verse
I used to be loyal to one style of rap, but now I'm exploring different ways to express myself
It seems like acting got a fatter purse
Even though rap might not be as lucrative as other industries, I'm making it work for me
I'm almighty with mix tapes, you back to church
My ability to create great mix tapes has propelled me to the top of the game, while others are still struggling
My homeboy, was always a man of turf
My friend was always dedicated to his neighborhood and the people who lived there
Cause he be interred, like the words on a mechanic shirt
Unfortunately, he passed away and is now buried like the words on a mechanic's shirt
I think I need to send a fan alert
My fans need to know that I'm still out here making great music
Nonsense, sure to send a humble?
I'm not going to let anyone bring me down or make me doubt myself
I'm so cool, I jump in a pool
I'm so confident in myself that I can do whatever I want and still come out on top
And everything that's in it ain't blue turn blue
I'm so cool that even the water in the pool changes color when I jump in
Man I'm so cool, I walk into school
My confidence is contagious and I'm admired by those around me
And numbers on the ruler tell me that I rule
I'm the boss and everyone else is just following my lead
Who, can make a mix tape skin
I have the ability to create a mix tape that is so good, it's like it has a life of its own
Have goosebumps if a mix tape had skin
My mixes are so great that they could give you goosebumps
I'm, Lennox Lewis with the left, right, left
I'm a champion and I can take on anyone who tries to take me down
I'm knocking out a mix tape's wind
My music is so good that it can take down other mix tapes
I say whatever I want to say like Kanye
I'm not afraid to speak my mind, even if it's controversial or unpopular
I'm calling, telling have a nice day
I'm so confident that I can be dismissive towards those who doubt me
If hip hop is dead then I say
I'm not letting anyone else dictate the future of hip-hop
That i escaped Death Row like I'm Dre
I'm not going to let anyone hold me back or control my career
Cause you're pale and I'm looking colourful
You're boring and uninspiring, while I'm exciting and full of life
Don't lie about my mix tapes, I know you love em fool.
Don't pretend you don't enjoy my music, I know you're just trying to hate on me
I had to drop part 2, that means another's due
I've already released one great album, so people can expect even more great music from me in the future
She told me Ridin' Dirty was a hard tune
Even non-rap fans recognize how great some of my music is
And then told me to call her at tomorrow noon
My success and fame has made me attractive to others, even to those who didn't respect me before
One night with me is really your doom
I'm so desirable that being with me could be dangerous to someone's emotional well-being
I'll be sticking something in it like a harpoon
I'm so good in bed that I'm like a hunting weapon, taking down my targets with ease
18th of September on your calendar
Remember this date, because it's when I'll be releasing more great music
Chamillionaire gets badderer and badderer
I keep improving and getting better every day
Chamillionaire badder than the average huh
I'm not just good, I'm better than most other rappers out there
I'm a, I'm a raw like an animal
I'm authentic and genuine, like a wild animal
If a man is mechanical
If someone is artificial or fake
I'll come through and do what a real man would do
I'm not afraid to show my toughness and be a leader in the rap game
And you'll change your whole thing
I have the power to influence and change the way others think about rap music
Like Claire Reid sleeping in bed with Hannibal the Cannibal
My presence is so powerful that it can even influence literary characters and their actions
[Repeat - x3]
This refrain is repeated three times for emphasis and to drive home the message
Stronger
The word 'Stronger' is the overall theme of the song, and represents Chamillionaire's determination to succeed and overcome any obstacle
[Hook - x2]
These lines in the chorus are repeated to remind the listener of the main theme of the song
Contributed by Allison T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.