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
Radio Interruption
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This for the streets, nah this for the radio
This for the streets, nah this for the radio
Well it's for radio then just keep it street, well go on do it then
Nah, that ain't a problem at all my man
Got a lot of rubber bands, time to count up all my grands
Well, go on do it then put a ninth caller in
Well, go on do it then, she can say she is not a fan
Tell me she ain't got a man, plus she got a lot of damn
And she love how the Impala can
Change a bunch of colors like you lookin' at a hologram
She wanna ride off on 24's
Butterfly do's raise up, she feelin' so
Special and she like my music better slow
Tell me that I'm fin' to blow, I reply to her, "I know"
So let me break it down and do somethin' I know the ladies can feel
She say she's lovin' my style, she say she's lovin' my style
Turn on the radio and you probably hearin' nothin' but the
Chamillitary Mayne
We interruptin' this sound just to let you hear a message from me
I'm representin' the South, I'm representin' the South
And know how we get down, know we gotta keep it gutter and street
Go on do it then
I got a white girl, I call her Shady Aftermath
'Cause she love a rapper, see a nigga she gonna snatch him fast
Fine and you can't say that she don't have an ass
Plus her eyes green enough to even up and match my cash
Hispanic college girl that love to dance right after class
Pray the way she back that ass up her class she has to pass
The others bad and black, take her to the bachelor pad
Crib big yo, her man's crib is less than half of that
Call up the DJ's on your radio
They'll say Chamillionaire got a crazy flow
My radio station doesn't play it though
Say he gotta make somethin' for the ladies so
So let me break it down and do somethin' I know the ladies can feel
She say she's lovin' my style, she say she's lovin' my style
Turn on the radio and you probably hearin' nothin' but the
Chamillitary Mayne
We interruptin' this sound just to let you hear a message from me
I'm representin' the South, I'm representin' the South
And know how we get down, know we gotta keep it gutter and street
Go on do it then
Relax boy, lax boy, revenge is the sound
I've made it here, America gon' have to feel me now
Hear that bass come rumblin', boys see me actin' up
Also see that fast pyoom pyoom when I pass him up
Turn it up, tell the listeners to listen here
Listenin' here the sickest rapper in the Southern hemisphere
Yeah, keep it gutter, suckers missin' in the picture yeah
We erased them from the game, commercial rappers disappear
Call up the DJ's on your radio
They'll say Chamillionaire got a crazy flow
My radio station doesn't play it though
Say he gotta make somethin' for the ladies so
So let me break it down and do somethin' I know the ladies can feel
She say she's lovin' my style, she say she's lovin' my style
Turn on the radio and you probably hearin' nothin' but the
Chamillitary Mayne
We interruptin' this sound just to let you hear a message from me
I'm representin' the South, I'm representin' the South
And know how we get down, know we gotta keep it gutter and street
Go on do it then
Now they know the name that's running the game
Them boyz down in Houston that got the streets on lock
But just in case they slow and don't know
Somebody tell em the name, Chamillitary Mayne
Ha ha, you got a problem? Then let it be known
You got something you wanna get off your chest
Give us a call, we're taking requests
Go on do it then
In Chamillionaire’s song “Radio Interruption,” the rapper has crafted a song that perfectly balances between street hype and radio-friendly jams. Throughout the song, Chamillionaire questions the way the radio decides what music to play and urges them to mix more street music with mainstream hits. The opening lines “This for the streets, nah this for the radio, well it's for radio then just keep it street, well go on do it then” displays his frustration with radio stations that only cater to mainstream pop music. Chamillionaire is asking radio stations to take it to the streets and play music that Houston locals love.
Chamillionaire goes on to boast about his skills as a rapper and his lifestyle. He talks about his car, a Chevrolet Impala that can change colors, and how a woman he met wants to ride it with 24” rims. Chamillionaire also mentions two women he’s been with, one he calls “Shady Aftermath,” who loves a rapper, and a Hispanic college girl who loves to dance. This is where the radio-friendly aspect of the song comes in as Chamillionaire switches from street talk to lyrics that are more relatable to listeners who are focused on romance.
The lyrics of “Radio Interruption” show Chamillionaire’s ability to seamlessly blend street language with lyrics that can be appreciated by a broader audience. This mastery of his craft highlights why he gained a following in both the streets and the mainstream. Chamillionaire is urging the radio stations to showcase this skill by playing more diverse music that appeals to different audiences.
Line by Line Meaning
This for the streets, nah this for the radio
The song can be played on the radio, but it's primarily for the streets.
Well it's for radio then just keep it street, well go on do it then
If the song is played on the radio, it still needs to keep its street essence.
Nah, that ain't a problem at all my man
The artist has no issue with making the song radio-friendly.
Got a lot of rubber bands, time to count up all my grands
Chamillionaire has a lot of cash to count.
Well, go on do it then put a ninth caller in
The DJ can put in a caller as the ninth caller for a fun musical experience.
Now we got a lot of jams, we gon' play a lot of Cham
The radio station will play a lot of Chamillionaire's songs.
Well, go on do it then, she can say she is not a fan
The artist doesn't mind if someone is not a fan.
Tell me she ain't got a man, plus she got a lot of damn
Chamillionaire wants to know if the person is single and sexy.
And she love how the Impala can
The person likes the Impala car.
Change a bunch of colors like you lookin' at a hologram
The car can change colors like a hologram.
She wanna ride off on 24's
The person wants to drive a car with 24-inch rims.
Butterfly do's raise up, she feelin' so
The butterfly doors on the car open upwards, which makes the person feel special.
Special and she like my music better slow
The person enjoys Chamillionaire's slow music.
Tell me that I'm fin' to blow, I reply to her, "I know"
The person predicts that Chamillionaire's career is about to skyrocket and he agrees.
We interruptin' this sound just to let you hear a message from me
The artist wants to share a message with the listeners by interrupting the sounds.
I'm representin' the South, I'm representin' the South
Chamillionaire is representing the South region of the USA.
And know how we get down, know we gotta keep it gutter and street
The South is known for its raw and urban music, and Chamillionaire wants to reflect that in his music.
I got a white girl, I call her Shady Aftermath
Chamillionaire has a white girlfriend whom he refers to as Shady Aftermath.
'Cause she love a rapper, see a nigga she gonna snatch him fast
Shady Aftermath is attracted to rappers and will steal them away from other women quickly.
Fine and you can't say that she don't have an ass
Shady Aftermath has a nice butt.
Plus her eyes green enough to even up and match my cash
Shady Aftermath's green eyes are as valuable as Chamillionaire's cash.
Hispanic college girl that love to dance right after class
Chamillionaire is also dating a Hispanic college girl who loves to dance after class.
Pray the way she back that ass up her class she has to pass
The way she dances is so good that she could pass her dance class easily.
The others bad and black, take her to the bachelor pad
The other women Chamillionaire is dating are attractive and he takes them back to his bachelor pad.
Crib big yo, her man's crib is less than half of that
Chamillionaire's house is very large, while one of the girl's boyfriend's houses is much smaller.
Ha ha, you got a problem? Then let it be known
Chamillionaire welcomes anyone with a problem to speak up.
You got something you wanna get off your chest
If someone has something to say or complain about, they can talk to Chamillionaire.
Give us a call, we're taking requests
Listeners can call in and make music requests.
Relax boy, lax boy, revenge is the sound
The artist is promoting an album called Revenge and is reminding listeners to relax while listening to the music.
I've made it here, America gon' have to feel me now
Chamillionaire has achieved success and is ready for America to recognize him and his music.
Hear that bass come rumblin', boys see me actin' up
The bass in the music is powerful and makes the boys feel energized by Chamillionaire's music.
Also see that fast pyoom pyoom when I pass him up
Chamillionaire's car is fast and makes a sound like "pyoom pyoom" when he passes others on the road.
Turn it up, tell the listeners to listen here
The artist is requesting that the listeners turn up the volume and focus on his words.
Listenin' here the sickest rapper in the Southern hemisphere
Chamillionaire believes he is the best rapper in the Southern hemisphere.
Yeah, keep it gutter, suckers missin' in the picture yeah
Chamillionaire wants to keep his music raw and unedited for authenticity, while other rappers are getting lost in their fancy images.
We erased them from the game, commercial rappers disappear
Chamillionaire has gotten rid of the other commercial rappers who were not authentic enough.
Now they know the name that's running the game
Chamillionaire is the top rapper in the game.
Them boyz down in Houston that got the streets on lock
The rappers in Houston have control over the urban music scene.
But just in case they slow and don't know
Chamillionaire wants to make sure everyone in Houston knows his name and his success.
Somebody tell em the name, Chamillitary Mayne
Chamillitary Mayne is Chamillionaire's nickname and the name of his group.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HAKEEM T. SERIKI, NICHOLAS W. SHERWOOD, NSILO KHARONDE REDDICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind