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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(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
Ridin' )
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
I'm swangin'
They hopin that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Police think they can see me lean
I'm tint so it ain't easy to be seen
When you see me ride by they can see the glean
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
Ride with a new chick, she like "hold up"
Next to the Playstation controller is a full clip and my pistola
Turn a jacker into a coma
Girl you ain't know, I'm crazy like Krayzie Bone
Just tryin' to bone, ain't tryin' to have no babies
Rock clean as hell so I pull in ladies
Laws on patrolling and you know they hate me
Music turned all the way up until the maximum
I can speak for some niggas tryin' to jack for some
But we packin' somethin' that we have
And um will have a nigga locked up in the maximum
Security cell, I'm grippin' oak
Music loud and tippin' slow
Twin steady twistin' like hit this dough
Police pull up right behind and it's in his throat
Windows down gotta stop pollution
Cd's change niggas like who is that producing?
This the Play-N-Skills when we out and cruisin'
Got warrants in every city except Houston, but I'm still ain't losin'
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
I been drinkin' and smokin' holdin' shit 'cause a brother can't focus
I gotta get to home 'fore the po po's scope this big ol' Excursion
Swerving all up in the curve man
Nigga been sippin' on that Hennessey
And the gin again is in again, we in the wind
Doin' a hundred while I puff on the blunt
And rollin' another one up, we livin' like we ain't givin' a fuck
I got a revolver in my right hand, 40 oz on my lap freezing my balls
Roll a nigga tree, green leaves and all
Comin' pretty deep, me and my dogs
I gotta get to backstreets
Wanted by the six pound and I got heat
Glock glock shots to the block, we creep creep
Pop Pop, hope cops don't see me, on a low key
With no regards for the law, we dodge ,em like fuck em all
But I won't get caught up and brought up on charges for none of y'all
Keep a gun in car, and a blunt to spark
But well if you want, nigga you poppin, dark
Ready or not we bust shots off in the air, Krayzie Bone and Chamillionaire
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Do what you thinkin' so, I tried to let you go
Turn up a blink of light and I swang it slower
A nigga upset for sure
'Cause they think they know that they catchin' me
With plenty of the drink and 'dro
So they get behind me tryin' to check my tags
Look at my rear-view and they smilin'
Thinkin' they'll catch me on the wrong well keep tryin'
'Cause they denyin' that it's racial profiling
Houston, TX you can check my tags
Pull me over try to check my slab
Glove compartment gotta get my cash
'Cause the crooked cops try to come up fast
And been a baller that I am I talk to them
Giving a damn 'bout not feeling my attitude
When they realize I ain't even ridin' dirty
Bet you'll be leavin' with an even madder mood
I'mma laugh at you and then I'mma have to cruise
I'm in number two on some more DJ Screw
You can't arrest me plus you can't sue
This a message to the laws tellin' them WE HATE YOU
I can't be touched or tell 'em that they shoulda known
Tippin' down, sittin' crooked on my chrome
Bookin' my phone, tryin' to find a chick I wanna bone
Like they couldn't stop me, I'm about to pull up at your home and it's on
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Chamillionaire's song "Ridin' Dirty" describes his experiences with racial profiling by police while driving in Houston, Texas. The lyrics portray a sense of rebellion and defiance towards law enforcement while also showcasing a bit of paranoia about being caught with drugs and guns in his car. The song's infectious hook "They see me rollin', they hatin', patrolling, and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty" became a cultural phenomenon and is still referenced in popular culture today.
The artist Chamillionaire wrote and performed the song alongside Krayzie Bone. The track was released on November 29, 2005, as the lead single from Chamillionaire's second studio album, "The Sound of Revenge." It won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 49th Grammy Awards in 2007.
Line by Line Meaning
They see me rollin'
People notice me driving around.
They hatin'
They are envious and jealous of my lifestyle.
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
The police are watching and trying to catch me for illegal activity.
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
The police want to catch me doing something illegal.
My music's so loud
I am listening to music at a high volume.
I'm swangin'
I am driving my car in an erratic manner.
They hopin that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
The police are hoping to catch me breaking the law.
Police think they can see me lean
The police believe they can see me leaning while driving.
I'm tint so it ain't easy to be seen
My car windows are tinted, making it hard to see me while driving.
When you see me ride by they can see the glean
My car is clean and shiny, easy to notice when I drive by.
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
The shine from my clean car reflects off the deck and TV screen.
Ride with a new chick, she like "hold up"
I am driving around with a new girl who is surprised and in awe.
Next to the Playstation controller is a full clip and my pistola
I have a loaded gun near me for protection.
Turn a jacker into a coma
I am capable of rendering a criminal unconscious to protect myself.
Girl you ain't know, I'm crazy like Krayzie Bone
I am wild and unpredictable like Krayzie Bone.
Just tryin' to bone, ain't tryin' to have no babies
I am not looking for a long-term relationship or planning to have kids.
Rock clean as hell so I pull in ladies
My car is attractive and clean, so women are drawn to me.
Laws on patrolling and you know they hate me
The police are constantly patroling and don't like me.
Music turned all the way up until the maximum
I am playing music at maximum volume.
I can speak for some niggas tryin' to jack for some
I am speaking for men trying to steal from others.
But we packin' somethin' that we have
We are carrying guns for protection.
And um will have a nigga locked up in the maximum
Carrying a gun illegally can get you locked up in a maximum security cell.
Security cell, I'm grippin' oak
I have a firm grip on the steering wheel made of hardwood.
Music loud and tippin' slow
I am driving slowly while listening to loud music.
Twin steady twistin' like hit this dough
My twin exhaust pipes are twisting like dough being rolled out.
Police pull up right behind and it's in his throat
The police are so close that I can hear their engine in my exhaust pipes.
Windows down gotta stop pollution
I lower my windows to reduce pollution in the car.
Cd's change niggas like who is that producing?
People are intrigued by the music I am playing.
This the Play-N-Skills when we out and cruisin'
This is the Play-N-Skills music we listen to when cruising around.
Got warrants in every city except Houston, but I'm still ain't losin'
I have warrants in many cities but not in my home town of Houston; however, I am not losing hope.
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
The police are always on the lookout for me to catch me breaking the law.
I been drinkin' and smokin' holdin' shit 'cause a brother can't focus
I am drinking and smoking weed, which is affecting my ability to focus while driving.
I gotta get to home 'fore the po po's scope this big ol' Excursion
I need to get home before the police notice me driving my large SUV.
Swerving all up in the curve man
I am driving erratically, swerving on curves.
Nigga been sippin' on that Hennessey
I am drinking Hennessey while driving.
And the gin again is in again, we in the wind
We are now drinking gin and driving fast with the windows down.
Doin' a hundred while I puff on the blunt
I am driving at 100 miles per hour while smoking weed.
And rollin' another one up, we livin' like we ain't givin' a fuck
We are acting recklessly and not caring about the consequences.
I got a revolver in my right hand, 40 oz on my lap freezing my balls
I have a gun in my hand and a cold beer on my lap.
Roll a nigga tree, green leaves and all
I am rolling marijuana with the leaves and everything.
Comin' pretty deep, me and my dogs
I am with a large group of friends.
I gotta get to backstreets
I need to get to the backstreets to avoid the police.
Wanted by the six pound and I got heat
The police are looking for me and I have a weapon to protect myself.
Glock glock shots to the block, we creep creep
We are creeping around with guns and making gunshot noises.
Pop Pop, hope cops don't see me, on a low key
We are hoping the police don't see us acting suspiciously and are staying hidden.
With no regards for the law, we dodge ,em like fuck em all
We are not obeying the laws and doing our own thing, ignoring the police.
But I won't get caught up and brought up on charges for none of y'all
I won't get caught or arrested and I won't be held responsible for my friends' actions.
Keep a gun in car, and a blunt to spark
I keep a gun and marijuana in my car.
But well if you want, nigga you poppin, dark
If you want to try and take my car, good luck but you might get shot.
Ready or not we bust shots off in the air, Krayzie Bone and Chamillionaire
We will shoot our guns in the air if necessary, represented by Krayzie Bone and me.
Do what you thinkin' so, I tried to let you go
Do what you want and think carefully, I already tried to avoid confrontation.
Turn up a blink of light and I swang it slower
I put on the blinker and slowed down to turn.
A nigga upset for sure
Someone is angry and upset with me.
'Cause they think they know that they catchin' me
The police think they have caught me.
With plenty of the drink and 'dro
I have been drinking and smoking weed.
So they get behind me tryin' to check my tags
The police are following me and trying to check my license plate.
Look at my rear-view and they smilin'
The police are pleased with themselves for finally catching me.
Thinkin' they'll catch me on the wrong well keep tryin'
The police are hoping to find me doing something illegal, but I will keep avoiding them.
'Cause they denyin' that it's racial profiling
The police are claiming that their actions are not based on racial discrimination.
Houston, TX you can check my tags
I am from Houston, and the police can check my license plate there.
Pull me over try to check my slab
The police may pull me over to check out my car.
Glove compartment gotta get my cash
I need to get money from my glove compartment.
'Cause the crooked cops try to come up fast
The police officers are corrupt and trying to make money quickly.
And been a baller that I am I talk to them
I am a successful person, so I have no problem talking to the police.
Giving a damn 'bout not feeling my attitude
I don't care if the police like my demeanor or not.
When they realize I ain't even ridin' dirty
Once the police realize I am not doing anything illegal in my car, they will be disappointed.
Bet you'll be leavin' with an even madder mood
The police will be even angrier than before because they didn't catch me breaking the law.
I'mma laugh at you and then I'mma have to cruise
I will laugh at the police and then drive away.
I'm in number two on some more DJ Screw
I am listening to DJ Screw's music while driving.
You can't arrest me plus you can't sue
The police have no grounds to arrest or sue me.
This a message to the laws tellin' them WE HATE YOU
This song is a message to the law enforcement, expressing hatred towards them.
I can't be touched or tell 'em that they shoulda known
The police can't catch me, and they should have known that.
Tippin' down, sittin' crooked on my chrome
I am leaning back in my seat, sitting sideways while driving my shiny car.
Bookin' my phone, tryin' to find a chick I wanna bone
I am on my phone trying to find a girl to hook up with.
Like they couldn't stop me, I'm about to pull up at your home and it's on
I am invincible and will show up at someone's home and do what I want.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Juan Salinas, Oscar Salinas, Anthony Henderson, Hakeem Seriki
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hothands4882
12 years later, if you're watching this you're a legend.
R.I.P Tommy Lister you will never be forgotten.
@maturediego
You know it
@maturediego
I thought it was only me
@atlantic7416
:)
@zamatzuyt9215
What you'r talking about this song has create in 2006 there was 16 years
@prospero123nuel6
Hiii 2020 watchin
@dead-aaa623
2006: A popular song
2010-2015: MLG
2020: Nostalgia
@TeddyBoy05
(((
@foxsolaria7246
👌
@bigbicepbill3928
MLG?