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
Put On For Houston
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mixtape Messiah, August 27th
Put that on your calendar
It's Chamillionaire, I mean Koopa
AKA Major Pain, cause I'm a bring the majors pain
Mixtape master, the underground, bang
They ask me where Texas at and I say hold that thought
You either die a hero or you live to see yourself become the villain
I've been showin support to all the labels in my city (yeah)
But right now it's all about Chamilli (yeah, yeah)
Put on ...
Put on ...
Put on ...
I put on for my city, on, on for my city
I put on for my city, on, on for my city
I put on for my city, on, on for my city
I put on for my city, on, on for my city
When they see me do my magic, they say "what the heck is Koopa on?"
Texas been too quiet, so the X-Man about to produce a storm
Either die a hero or the villain is what you become
Hoppin in my Batmobile, I ch-ch-churp the Koop alarm
Salad dressing cause it's umm, plenty green and parmesan
In my pockets, in my palm, I'm about to drop a bomb
Thinkin of makin vegetation, I'm the mixtape Farmer John
So much green inside my jeans, it's like I've been out mowin lawns
I'm the real, the rest is fake, I'm the best, the rest is cake
Mixtape God I bless the tape and I put boys in they restin place (woo!)
People always test the type and they don't never test the face
That's the day I'm a be on TMZ and the day I catch a case
Think that you can take my auto and them hollows not gon' follow?
Better dream of bikini wearin genie out a bottle (bottle)
Some chicks that used to strip, ask to wax the Maserato
I said "forget the wax, just make it quick, just like Serato" (ha)
Got a spanish chick, that love the chips, she the Dorito lady
She ready to Frito Lay me, "el gusto es mio baby"
I hear some sharks talkin like they gonna D.O.A. me (what?)
Go ahead, jump in that water, promise there's torpedoes waitin
I dropped a lot ofs but I know I'm proud of mines
I see the presidents in front of me, I'm Obamatized
Rappers is politicians (yes), they all be talkin lies
Paparazzi like some Nazi, pop your posse like some spies
I used to look around me, like "it's probably you that hate me"
Now I open up my wallet and it start illuminatin
Do your damage, do it, talk your talk and mutilate me
Money talks, me and Ben always communicatin (hello)
I know you're probably thinkin, "why he talkin all that cash?" (cash)
I write my lyrics in the crib as big as Carlton's dad's
Was happy broke but super rich and they like "boy he mad"
Every problem I had last year, my money brought me all of that
Push foreigns like a chauffeur (chauffeur), stomp all the cock-a-roach a
But back when I was broker, I sold product like a broker (broker)
My next one drop it's over (over), point out somebody doper
I bet that supersoaker flip that joker like it's poker
Your boy ain't half of me, turn him to a casualty
Humble but I swear I'm not Barack Obama's pastor, see
I be talkin trash, yeah the mouth is a catastrophe
Don't mistake the humbleness for weakness, cause that's blasphemy
(I put on), some Chamilli
(On, on), some Chamilli
(I put on), some Chamilli
(On, on), some Chamilli
(Put on - Eastside)
(Put on - Southside)
(Put on - Westside)
(Put on, yeah, let's go), Chamillitary mayne
(I put on), some Chamilli
(On, on), some Chamilli
(I put on), some Chamilli
(On, on), some Chamilli
(Put on - Eastside)
(Put on - Southside)
(Put on - Westside)
(Put on), yeah, yeah
This weapon that stay attached to me, is grazin your anatomy
This gray one'll make you call a doctor (call a doctor), call up Grey's Anatomy (okay)
I be pushin cars out the garage like it's a factory
Service with a smile, serve a hatin rapper happily (okay)
Never miss a penny, you can't count your dough exact as me
Push come to shove, I'm pickin up money just like a vacuum G (yeah)
Always makin dough, got a bunch of Keeblers after me
Pro at bein active like what Puffy use for ac-a-ne
If you rep that Texas, I know that ya feel me
Want to pop, lock and dance, then put on that get silly
Want to dance until you're sweaty, put on that P. Diddy
Tryin to take the mixtape market (put on), that Chamilli
In Chamillionaire's song "Put On For Houston," he declares his love for Houston and asserts that he is the one bringing the city to the forefront. He also speaks of his success and his ability to make money. The lyrics suggest that he is not afraid to flaunt his wealth and that he is unapologetic about his success. He mentions that he has been a supporter of the labels in the city but now it's all about him.
Throughout the song, Chamillionaire emphasizes his supremacy as a mixtape master and the best rapper from Texas. He is confident and hard-hitting, using metaphors and wordplay to assert his dominance. He also touches on the "either die a hero or live to see yourself become the villain" concept, suggesting that he is willing to take risks to attain greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Chamillitary mayne
Introducing himself with his moniker
Mixtape Messiah, August 27th
Announcing the release date and name of his upcoming mixtape
Put that on your calendar
Encouraging his fans to mark the date for his mixtape release
It's Chamillionaire, I mean Koopa
Stating his real name and nickname
AKA Major Pain, cause I'm a bring the majors pain
Referring to his ability to compete with major labels in the music industry
Mixtape master, the underground, bang
Boasting about his expertise in creating high-quality mixtapes for the underground scene
They ask me where Texas at and I say hold that thought
Responding to people who doubt the potential of the Texas music scene
August 27th, I'm a get to that
Reiterating the release date of his mixtape
You either die a hero or you live to see yourself become the villain
Reflecting on the harsh reality of being in the music industry and how it can change you
I've been showin support to all the labels in my city (yeah)
Acknowledging his support to various music labels in his hometown
But right now it's all about Chamilli (yeah, yeah)
Focusing on his personal success and achievements
Put on ...
Beginning the chorus of the song
I put on for my city, on, on for my city
Expressing pride and loyalty to his hometown, Houston
When they see me do my magic, they say "what the heck is Koopa on?"
Receiving amazement and curiosity from people who witness his talent
Texas been too quiet, so the X-Man about to produce a storm
Promising to bring a new wave of music to Texas
Hoppin in my Batmobile, I ch-ch-churp the Koop alarm
Using a metaphor of a superhero to describe himself and his music style
Salad dressing cause it's umm, plenty green and parmesan
Referencing money in a clever way
In my pockets, in my palm, I'm about to drop a bomb
Implying that he has a lot of money and influence
Thinkin of makin vegetation, I'm the mixtape Farmer John
Using another metaphor to describe his production and creativity as a mixtape creator
So much green inside my jeans, it's like I've been out mowin lawns
Another reference to his wealth and success
I'm the real, the rest is fake, I'm the best, the rest is cake
Boasting that he is the real deal and the best in the game compared to other artists
Mixtape God I bless the tape and I put boys in they restin place (woo!)
Confidently claiming his role as a mixtape genius and challenging his competition
People always test the type and they don't never test the face
Expressing that people underestimate him because of his looks or personality
That's the day I'm a be on TMZ and the day I catch a case
Predicting the consequences of his fame and how the media can affect it
Think that you can take my auto and them hollows not gon' follow?
Challenging anyone who would try to steal from him and warning them of the consequences
Better dream of bikini wearin genie out a bottle (bottle)
Using a pop culture reference to add humor to his threat
Some chicks that used to strip, ask to wax the Maserato
Giving insight on how his success attracts people with different motivations and backgrounds
I said "forget the wax, just make it quick, just like Serato" (ha)
Showing his witty personality and referencing a DJ equipment brand in a clever way
Got a spanish chick, that love the chips, she the Dorito lady
Describing his attraction to a Spanish woman in a playful manner
She ready to Frito Lay me, "el gusto es mio baby"
Using another brand name to make a witty innuendo
I hear some sharks talkin like they gonna D.O.A. me (what?)
Referring to people who want to harm him or his career
Go ahead, jump in that water, promise there's torpedoes waitin
Challenge to his competition and the warning of consequences they will face
I dropped a lot ofs but I know I'm proud of mines
Proudly acknowledging the obstacles he faced and how he overcame them
I see the presidents in front of me, I'm Obamatized
Celebrating his success and ability to earn a significant amount of money
Rappers is politicians (yes), they all be talkin lies
Comparing rappers to politicians and how they can manipulate the truth
Paparazzi like some Nazi, pop your posse like some spies
Describing the negative impact of the media and how they can ruin someone's reputation
I used to look around me, like "it's probably you that hate me"
Reflecting on his past struggles and how he used to blame others for his problems
Now I open up my wallet and it start illuminatin
Showing the difference between his past and current situation and how money changed it
Do your damage, do it, talk your talk and mutilate me
Telling others to criticize him and how he's ready to challenge it
Money talks, me and Ben always communicatin (hello)
Adding humor to his statement about his wealth and how it's always accessible
I know you're probably thinkin, "why he talkin all that cash?" (cash)
Acknowledging how some people might react negatively to his bragging about money
I write my lyrics in the crib as big as Carlton's dad's
Referencing a TV show while describing his comfortable lifestyle
Was happy broke but super rich and they like "boy he mad"
Reflecting on how his attitude changed after becoming successful and how it can be perceived by others
Every problem I had last year, my money brought me all of that
Showing how his wealth solved most of his problems and how money plays a big role in his life
Push foreigns like a chauffeur (chauffeur), stomp all the cock-a-roach a
Using another metaphor to describe his lavish lifestyle and how he's always ahead of others
But back when I was broker, I sold product like a broker (broker)
Reflecting on his past struggles and how he tried to make a living out of anything
My next one drop it's over (over), point out somebody doper
Promising that his next project or mixtape will beat the competition and he's ready to face someone better than him
I bet that supersoaker flip that joker like it's poker
Using a metaphor to describe how he will defeat his competition
Your boy ain't half of me, turn him to a casualty
Challenging other rappers and claiming that he's superior to them
Humble but I swear I'm not Barack Obama's pastor, see
Showing how he balances his arrogance with his humility
I be talkin trash, yeah the mouth is a catastrophe
Acknowledging his tendency to say controversial things
Don't mistake the humbleness for weakness, cause that's blasphemy
Warning people not to underestimate him despite his humble personality
(I put on), some Chamilli
Repeating the chorus
(On, on), some Chamilli
Repeating the chorus
(Put on - Eastside)
Adding the specific reference to Eastside Houston
(Put on - Southside)
Adding the specific reference to Southside Houston
(Put on - Westside)
Adding the specific reference to Westside Houston
(Put on, yeah, let's go), Chamillitary mayne
Ending the chorus and introducing himself once again
(Put on), yeah, yeah
Repeating the chorus one final time
This weapon that stay attached to me, is grazin your anatomy
Describing his influence and power in the industry as a metaphorical weapon
This gray one'll make you call a doctor (call a doctor), call up Grey's Anatomy (okay)
Making a wordplay with the word "grey" while continuing his previous metaphor
I be pushin cars out the garage like it's a factory
Describing how he treats luxury cars as a common item
Service with a smile, serve a hatin rapper happily (okay)
Adding humor to his statement about his success and how he responds to people who hate on him
Never miss a penny, you can't count your dough exact as me
Stating his expertise in being meticulous with his finances
Push come to shove, I'm pickin up money just like a vacuum G (yeah)
Showing his ability to adapt and respond to any situation and to earn more money
Always makin dough, got a bunch of Keeblers after me
Referencing a popular cookie brand to describe how he's always earning money
Pro at bein active like what Puffy use for ac-a-ne
Using a pop culture reference to describe his ability to stay active and productive
If you rep that Texas, I know that ya feel me
Acknowledging his connection to Texas and how it affects his fans
Want to pop, lock and dance, then put on that get silly
Encouraging people to enjoy themselves and dance to his music
Want to dance until you're sweaty, put on that P. Diddy
Promoting another artist while continuing to encourage people to dance
Tryin to take the mixtape market (put on), that Chamilli
Declaring his dominance in the mixtape industry and how other artists can't compete with him
Contributed by Natalie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brent Timm
Who's here in 2019?
Jonny Wilson
2022