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' ft.Krayzie Bone
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 hit song "Ridin'" featuring Krayzie Bone is a catchy tune that speaks about the challenges of being a Black man driving down the street while being regularly stopped by the police. The repetitive chorus "They see me rollin', they hatin', trying to catch me ridin' dirty" represents Chamillionaire's observation of being watched by law enforcement on the road, targeting him as a "criminal" for no reason, just because of his ethnicity. Chamillionaire paints the picture of a stereotypical police force that's eager to arrest people of color ("laws on patrolling and you know they hate me") and the struggle of trying to avoid confrontation with them.
The lyrics tell more of Chamillionaire's stories, including looking for a love interest and carrying illegal weaponry. The way he switches between a hopeless romantic tone and a somewhat violent and threatening attitude lines up with the idea of him looking for a release from the realities of driving while Black. The song's message is both socially conscious and subtly confrontational, and it speaks about the problems of racial profiling and police brutality that are still present in the United States today.
Line by Line Meaning
They see me rollin'
People notice me driving my car
They hatin'
Others are envious of me
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Police officers are actively monitoring me for any criminal activity
My music's so loud
The volume of my music is very high
I'm swangin'
I am driving recklessly
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 officers believe that I am leaning in my car
I'm tint so it ain't easy to be seen
My car windows are darkly tinted, making it hard for the police to see inside
When you see me ride by they can see the glean
Despite my darkly tinted windows, the shine of my car can still be seen
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
There is a lot of shiny metal on my car's dashboard and a TV screen
Ride with a new chick, she like "hold up"
The woman I am with is surprised or impressed with my car
Next to the Playstation controller is a full clip and my pistola
There is a gun and ammunition sitting next to my gaming console
Turn a jacker into a coma
I am prepared to violently defend myself or my car against anyone who tries to steal or rob me
Girl you ain't know, I'm crazy like Krayzie Bone
I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect myself and stay out of trouble
Just tryin' to bone, ain't tryin' to have no babies
I am only interested in having casual sex and not starting a family
Rock clean as hell so I pull in ladies
My car is very attractive to women
Laws on patrolling and you know they hate me
The police specifically target me for being a troublemaker
Music turned all the way up until the maximum
My music is playing as loud as it can go
I can speak for some niggas tryin' to jack for some
I can understand why some would try to steal from me
But we packin' somethin' that we have
I carry weapons for protection
And um will have a nigga locked up in the maximum
If the police catch me with my weapons, I will likely be sent to prison
Security cell, I'm grippin' oak
If I am arrested, I will be in a heavily guarded cell
Music loud and tippin' slow
My music is still playing loudly, but I am driving more slowly now
Twin steady twistin' like hit this dough
The rims on my car are spinning quickly
Police pull up right behind and it's in his throat
The police are very close to catching me
Windows down gotta stop pollution
I am rolling down my windows to reduce the amount of pollution produced by my car
Cd's change niggas like who is that producing?
People are surprised by the variety of music I am playing
This the Play-N-Skills when we out and cruisin'
I am listening to a particular group, Play-N-Skills, while I am driving
Got warrants in every city except Houston, but I'm still ain't losin'
There are warrants out for my arrest in nearly every city except for Houston, but I am not worried about getting caught
They hopin' that they gonna catch me ridin' dirty
The police are still hoping to catch me breaking the law
I been drinkin' and smokin' holdin' shit 'cause a brother can't focus
I have been drinking and smoking and now I am having trouble focusing on driving
I gotta get to home 'fore the po po's scope this big ol' Excursion
I need to get home before the police find me driving my large SUV with tinted windows
Swerving all up in the curve man
I am driving dangerously, swerving all over the road
Nigga been sippin' on that Hennessey
I have been drinking Hennessy, a type of alcoholic beverage
And the gin again is in again, we in the wind
I have switched to gin and I am driving fast
Doin' a hundred while I puff on the blunt
I am driving at a speed of 100 miles per hour while smoking a blunt, or a marijuana cigarette
And rollin' another one up, we livin' like we ain't givin' a fuck
I am rolling another blunt and living carelessly
I got a revolver in my right hand, 40 oz on my lap freezing my balls
I am holding a gun in my right hand and a bottle of beer on my lap, even though it is very cold
Roll a nigga tree, green leaves and all
I am rolling a joint with marijuana leaves, stems, and twigs
Comin' pretty deep, me and my dogs
I have a group of friends with me
I gotta get to backstreets
I want to avoid busy roads and traffic
Wanted by the six pound and I got heat
The police are looking for me and I have a weapon
Glock glock shots to the block, we creep creep
I am firing shots from my Glock gun while driving slowly through the neighborhood
Pop Pop, hope cops don't see me, on a low key
The sound of gunshots has me worried that the police will hear me and catch me
With no regards for the law, we dodge ,em like fuck em all
I do not care about obeying the law and try to dodge the police whenever I can
But I won't get caught up and brought up on charges for none of y'all
I will not get arrested and charged for any of you or your actions
Keep a gun in car, and a blunt to spark
I always carry a gun and a marijuana cigarette in my car
But well if you want, nigga you poppin, dark
But if you want to rob me, you are putting your life at risk
Ready or not we bust shots off in the air, Krayzie Bone and Chamillionaire
If necessary, we are prepared to shoot our guns into the air
Do what you thinkin' so, I tried to let you go
If you are thinking of robbing me, I tried to warn you to back off
Turn up a blink of light and I swang it slower
I am turning up my blinker and driving more slowly
A nigga upset for sure
Someone is most likely upset or angry with me
'Cause they think they know that they catchin' me
The police are confident that they will catch me doing something illegal
With plenty of the drink and 'dro
I have plenty of alcohol and marijuana in my car
So they get behind me tryin' to check my tags
The police are following me and trying to look at my license plates
Look at my rear-view and they smilin'
The police are able to see my face in the rear-view mirror and are enjoying the chase
Thinkin' they'll catch me on the wrong well keep tryin'
The police are optimistic that they will catch me doing something wrong, but I am confident that I will not get caught
'Cause they denyin' that it's racial profiling
The police insist that they are not targeting me because of my race
Houston, TX you can check my tags
I am from Houston and have nothing to hide on my license plates
Pull me over try to check my slab
The police are following me and want to inspect my car (slab is a term for a customized car)
Glove compartment gotta get my cash
I keep my money in the glove compartment and need to retrieve it
'Cause the crooked cops try to come up fast
I need to get my money before the dishonest police officers try to steal it
And been a baller that I am I talk to them
I am confident and talk back to the police officers
Giving a damn 'bout not feeling my attitude
I do not care if the police do not like my attitude
When they realize I ain't even ridin' dirty
When the police discover that I am not breaking the law in any way
Bet you'll be leavin' with an even madder mood
The police officers will be even more upset when they cannot catch me doing something illegal
I'mma laugh at you and then I'mma have to cruise
I will laugh at the police and then leave the scene
I'm in number two on some more DJ Screw
I am listening to music by DJ Screw and am currently on the second track (number two)
You can't arrest me plus you can't sue
The police cannot arrest or sue me for anything
This a message to the laws tellin' them WE HATE YOU
I am sending a message to the police that I despise them
I can't be touched or tell 'em that they shoulda known
The police cannot catch me and I will not tell them that they should have anticipated my actions
Tippin' down, sittin' crooked on my chrome
My car is sitting at an angle with shiny metal showing
Bookin' my phone, tryin' to find a chick I wanna bone
I am looking at my phone to try and find a woman that I want to have sex with
Like they couldn't stop me, I'm about to pull up at your home and it's on
As if the police could not stop me, I am planning to pull up at someone's house and cause trouble
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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?