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
Ridin' Overseas
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm lookin in my rearview
And I can see a clearer view of you
This is the remix...
I see you waitin, I know you hatin...
[Chorus - Akon]
I see them watchin, they waitin
Hopin they don't roll up on me
Cause today I'm ridin dirty
And if they stop me I might be goin to jail tonight
[Chamillionaire]
Ch-Chea! Chamillitary mayne... uh, yeah
I got 20 grand in my pocket and, I'm ridin around with my pockets crammed
You the one that got the contraband, and you smokin that like you in Amsterdam
Before I know it, I see them sirens, I'm pullin over - aye, we just ridin!
Don't talk back, won't be no violence, just shut up, and sit in your seat in silence
Now the police is searchin who? They searchin me and then they searchin you
They smell the breeze and you smell like trees
Cause you hit the blunt and hit the purple too
Now the lie is irreversable because you just told 'em we were ridin clean
They question you, but they ain't question me yet
I'm thinkin the police ain't find a thing
Standin on the side of the freeway, wishin they would just hurry up
And I can see, you walkin up to me, like he about to put me up in them cuffs
I turned around and I look at you, and you look away like you feelin sick
I'm goin to jail for what I didn't comit, I must admit, that I hate a snitch
[Chorus - Akon (Chamillionaire)]
I see them watchin, they waitin
For an opportunity to ride up on me
Hopin they don't roll up on me
Cause today I'm ridin dirty (Cause I'm ridin dirty)
And if they stop me I might be goin to jail tonight (jail tonight)
[Chamillionaire]
Ever since they heard the song ridin dirty
The whole world been listenin I'm glad you heard me
Some cops that representin the badge
Been showin me every cop ain't bad or tryin to scurr me
A year after "White and Nerdy"
On the grind, still tryin, still flyin birdies
That stuff still in ya cup, still drivin swervin
Ridin dirty like the vehicle inside the derby
A little inspired by U.G.K, and the rest inspired by the life I'm livin
Seen that Impala, he was drunk
And that's when I saw the red lights go get em
And it's ironic that during the chase
Seen Murder Chase, and this kid was Christian
Movin target ran across the street
And unfortunately the car didn't miss him
And now the family is soon to know, that they gon have to do another funeral
The angels ain't singin to ya tune no more, don't move too fast, baby move it slow
Cause one day ya here, baby... next thing ya know, next thing ya know
Everything that used to move don't move no more
[Chorus - Akon]
I see them watchin, they waitin
For an opportunity to ride up on me
Hopin they don't roll up on me
Cause today I'm ridin dirty
And if they stop me I might be goin to jail tonight
[Outro - Chamillionaire]
This is not a movie, it's real life, yeah, yeah...
It's real life, it ain't just a song, it's a message
Nobody ever opens they eyes till somebody gets killed
Rest in peace to Sean Bale
Chamillitary Mayne
(Merci à Dale pour cettes paroles)
In Chamillionaire's song Ridin' Overseas, the rapper talks about being on the road with a person who possesses illegal substances, and the possibility of getting caught by the police. He describes the anxiety and fear that comes with being pulled over, and the consequences that could follow if they're caught. Throughout the song, Chamillionaire touches on important themes such as police brutality, racial profiling, and the dangers of living a reckless lifestyle.
The intro sets the tone for the track, with Chamillionaire looking in his rearview mirror, reflecting on the situation at hand. He acknowledges the presence of the person with him, commenting that they're probably hating on him. In the chorus, Akon sings about the paranoia that comes with living this lifestyle, knowing that one wrong move could lead to a night in jail. Chamillionaire's verses describe the events that unfold when they get pulled over, and the feeling of injustice when he realizes that he's being blamed for something he didn't do.
The outro of the song is a powerful message, reminding listeners that the song isn't just a catchy tune but a reflection of real life. He pays tribute to Sean Bale, a young man who was killed in a police chase, highlighting the real-life consequences of living recklessly. Overall, Ridin' Overseas is a powerful track that speaks to the fears and anxieties of people who live on the edge and the dangers that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm lookin in my rearview
I am looking into my rearview mirror
And I can see a clearer view of you
And from the rearview mirror, I can see you more clearly
This is the remix...
This version of the song is a remix
I see you waitin, I know you hatin...
I can see you waiting and I know you are hating on me
I see them watchin, they waitin
I can see them watching and waiting
For an opportunity to ride up on me
They are waiting for a chance to catch me
Hopin they don't roll up on me
They hope not to get caught by me
Cause today I'm ridin dirty
Because I am driving with illegal drugs or firearms
And if they stop me I might be goin to jail tonight
If they catch me, I might go to jail tonight
Ch-Chea! Chamillitary mayne... uh, yeah
This is a shout out to Chamillitary
I got 20 grand in my pocket and, I'm ridin around with my pockets crammed
I have 20,000 dollars in my pocket and I am driving with a lot of stuffed pockets
You the one that got the contraband, and you smokin that like you in Amsterdam
You are the one who has the illegal goods and you are smoking it like it is legal in Amsterdam
Before I know it, I see them sirens, I'm pullin over - aye, we just ridin!
Suddenly, I see the police sirens and I pull over, but I am innocent
Don't talk back, won't be no violence, just shut up, and sit in your seat in silence
Don't argue, there won't be any violence, just stay quiet and sit in your seat
Now the police is searchin who? They searchin me and then they searchin you
Now the police are searching both of us
They smell the breeze and you smell like trees
They smell the air and you smell like marijuana
Cause you hit the blunt and hit the purple too
Because you smoked marijuana and also drank codeine
Now the lie is irreversable because you just told 'em we were ridin clean
Now the lie is irreversible because you lied to the police and told them that we have nothing illegal in the car
They question you, but they ain't question me yet
They are questioning you, but they haven't questioned me yet
I'm thinkin the police ain't find a thing
I am thinking that the police did not find anything
Standin on the side of the freeway, wishin they would just hurry up
Standing on the side of the freeway, wishing the police would finish their search quickly
And I can see, you walkin up to me, like he about to put me up in them cuffs
You are walking towards me, like you are about to handcuff me
I turned around and I look at you, and you look away like you feelin sick
I turn around and look at you, and you avert your gaze as if you feel guilty
I'm goin to jail for what I didn't comit, I must admit, that I hate a snitch
I am going to jail for a crime I did not commit, and I must admit, I hate a snitch
Ever since they heard the song ridin dirty
Since they heard the song 'Ridin Dirty'
The whole world been listenin I'm glad you heard me
The whole world has been listening, and I am glad you have heard me
Some cops that representin the badge
Some cops who represent the badge
Been showin me every cop ain't bad or tryin to scurr me
Some cops have shown me that not all police officers are bad or trying to harm me
A year after "White and Nerdy"
This is a year after my previous hit single, 'White and Nerdy'
On the grind, still tryin, still flyin birdies
Still working hard and succeeding
That stuff still in ya cup, still drivin swervin
You are still drinking that illegal drug, and you are still driving while swerving
Ridin dirty like the vehicle inside the derby
Driving with illegal goods in the car, like a car in a demolition derby
A little inspired by U.G.K, and the rest inspired by the life I'm livin
Part of the song was inspired by U.G.K., and the rest of the song was inspired by my life
Seen that Impala, he was drunk
I saw someone driving an Impala, who was drunk
And that's when I saw the red lights go get em
And that is when I saw the police lights come after him
And it's ironic that during the chase
It is ironic that during the police chase
Seen Murder Chase, and this kid was Christian
Seen a person named Murder Chase, and this person was a Christian
Movin target ran across the street
A moving person ran across the street
And unfortunately the car didn't miss him
Unfortunately, the car hit him and he died
And now the family is soon to know, that they gon have to do another funeral
And now the family will have to plan another funeral
The angels ain't singin to ya tune no more, don't move too fast, baby move it slow
The angels are not singing for you anymore, so be careful and move slowly
Cause one day ya here, baby... next thing ya know, next thing ya know
Because one day you are here, and the next thing you know, something can happen
Everything that used to move don't move no more
Things that used to move, now do not move anymore
This is not a movie, it's real life, yeah, yeah...
This is not a movie, it is real life
It's real life, it ain't just a song, it's a message
This is not just a song, it is a message
Nobody ever opens they eyes till somebody gets killed
People never pay attention until someone is killed
Rest in peace to Sean Bale
Rest in peace to Sean Bale
Chamillitary Mayne
Chamillitary Mayne
Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.