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'
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Grindin' to see if 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 gleam
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
And I'm ridin' 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
Ride clean as hell so I pull in ladies
Law's on patrol, 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 for 'em
Will have a nigga locked up in the maximum
Security cell, I'm grippin' oak (oak)
Music loud and tippin' slow (slow)
Twin's steady twistin' like, "Hit this though"
Police pull up right behind and it's in his throat
The windows down, gotta stop pollution
CD change, niggas like, "Who is that producing?"
This the Play-N-Skillz 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'
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
I been drinkin' and smokin'
Holy shit 'cause I really can't focus
I gotta get it home 'fore the po-po's scope this big ol' Excurs'
Just swerved, all up in the curve and
Nigga been sippin' on that Hennessey and the gin again
It's 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 blunt up in my right hand
40-ounce on my lap freezin' my balls
Roll another tree, green leaves and all
Comin' pretty deep, me and my dogs
Yo, I gotta hit the back streets
Wonderin' 'bout the six pounds and I got heat
Glock, Glock shots to the block, we creep creep
Pop-pop, hope cops don't see me, on the low key
With no regard 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
Roll it up if you want, and get it poppin', dawg
Ready or not, we bust shots off in the air, Krayzie Bone and Chamillionaire
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Now would you think it's so? I tried to let you go
Turn on my blinker light and then I swang it slow
And they upset for sho', 'cause they think they know
That they catchin' me with plenty of the drank 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' (keep tryin')
'Cause they denyin' that it's racial profilin'
Houston, Texas, you can check my tags (tags)
Pull me over try to check my slab (slab)
Glove compartment, gotta get my cash
'Cause the crooked cops try to come up fast
And bein' the baller that I am, I talk to them
Givin' a damn about 'em not feelin' my attitude
When they realize I ain't even ridin' dirty
Bet you'll be leavin' with an even madder mood
I'ma laugh at you and then I have to cruise
Jammin' number two on some old DJ Screw
You can't arrest me, plus you can't sue
This a message to the laws tell 'em, "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, findin' a chick I wanna bone
Like they couldn't stop me, I'm 'bout to pull up at your home, and it's on
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
My music's so loud
I'm swangin'
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
(Oh shit, damn man)
(Goddamn nigga)
(Damn, my arm, nigga, my arm stuck in the wheel)
(Damn, man, I done spilled my drink, man)
(My bad, I was tryna take a picture of that broad with my picture phone)
(And my hand slipped off the wheel)
(Dang, man)
(Are y'all alright?)
(I can't get the door open, man) (do y'all need a doctor?)
(Call the doctor, I need another prescription)
(Damn, I done spilled my drink)
The song "Ridin'" was released by Chamillionaire, featuring Krayzie Bone in 2006. The lyrics of the song refer to the harassment and racial profiling that African American men face from police officers in the United States. It was Chamillionaire's most successful single, reaching number one on Billboard Hot 100 Chart for two weeks. The song also earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007.
In the first verse, Chamillionaire is driving while blasting his music loud. The police are patrolling the streets, hoping to catch him "ridin' dirty," referring to driving with illegal possessions like drugs or guns. Chamillionaire's car stands out due to its tinted windows, and when he passes by, people can see him shining and his Television screen shining. He is in the company of a girl he just met and has a gun beside him on the passenger seat.
In the second verse, Chamillionaire is cruising with his friends, smoking up and drinking, unable to focus entirely. He is driving a large SUV, and as he swerves on the road, the police are on his tail. On his lap is a 40-ounce bottle of alcohol as he rolls another "tree." Chamillionaire talks about how he keeps a gun in his car, and if the police try to stop him, he will defend himself.
In the third verse, Chamillionaire explains how the police officers are trying to stop him on the road to check his tags and search his car. However, the artist is above board and is not driving dirty. He calls out to the police to leave him alone and stop targeting him because of his skin color. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "tryna catch me ridin' dirty" in a mocking tone.
Overall, "Ridin'" is a song about the racial discrimination and profiling that African American men face from police officers. The lyrics capture the experience of black men that feel harassed and targeted on the roads by the law enforcement authorities.
Line by Line Meaning
They see me rollin'
I am driving around in my car.
They hatin'
People are angry or envious towards me.
Patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Police are on patrol and trying to arrest me for breaking laws.
Tryna catch me ridin' dirty
Police are trying to catch me breaking the law while I am driving.
My music's so loud
I am playing my music at a high volume.
I'm swangin'
I'm moving my car side to side
They hopin' that they gon' catch me ridin' dirty
Police are hoping to catch me breaking the law while driving.
Grindin' to see if they can see me lean
Police are trying to see if I am leaning (breaking the law) while driving.
I'm tint, so it ain't easy to be seen
My car windows are tinted, so it is difficult to see me inside.
When you see me ride by, they can see the gleam
When people watch me drive by, they can see the shine of my car.
And my shine on the deck and the TV screen
My car has a shiny exterior and a TV screen inside.
And I'm ridin' with a new chick, she like, "Hold up"
I am driving with a new girlfriend and she is telling me to stop the car.
Next to the PlayStation controller
Is a full clip and my pistola
Turn a jacker into a coma
I have a gun and ammunition with me that I could use in self-defense if someone tries to rob me.
Girl you ain't know, I'm crazy like Krayzie Bone
The girl I am with does not know that I am as crazy as Krayzie Bone (a rapper known for his wild behavior).
Just tryin' to bone, ain't tryin' to have no babies
I am just trying to have sex, not start a family.
Ride clean as hell so I pull in ladies
My car is very clean, which attracts female attention.
Law's on patrol, and you know they hate me
Police are patrolling and likely have a negative attitude towards me.
Music turned all the way up until the maximum
I have my music turned up as loud as it can go.
I can speak for some niggas tryin' to jack for some
But we packin' somethin' that we have for 'em
Will have a nigga locked up in the maximum
Security cell, I'm grippin' oak (oak)
I can represent some people who are trying to steal things from others, but we have weapons to stop them, and we could go to jail for using them.
Music loud and tippin' slow (slow)
Twin's steady twistin' like, "Hit this though"
Police pull up right behind and it's in his throat
My music is playing loudly while I am driving slowly, and my friends are smoking marijuana, but the police are right behind us and they may find it.
The windows down, gotta stop pollution
CD change, niggas like, "Who is that producing?"
This the Play-N-Skillz when we out and cruisin'
We open the car windows to reduce pollution, and we are changing CDs while people who hear us on the street are wondering which artist is making our music.
Got warrants in every city except Houston, but I'm still ain't losin'
I have legal problems in many cities, but I am still successful in my home city of Houston.
I been drinkin' and smokin'
Holy shit 'cause I really can't focus
I gotta get it home 'fore the po-po's scope this big ol' Excurs'
I have been drinking and smoking marijuana, so I am not able to focus well while driving. I need to get my car home before the police see it.
Just swerved, all up in the curve and
Nigga been sippin' on that Hennessey and the gin again
It's in again, we in the wind
I just swerved around a corner and I have been drinking Hennessey and gin with my friends again. We are driving fast with the windows down.
Doin' a hundred while I puff on the blunt
And rollin' another one up, we livin' like we ain't givin' a fuck
We are driving very fast while smoking marijuana and rolling more. We are living like we do not care about the consequences of our actions.
I got a blunt up in my right hand
40-ounce on my lap freezin' my balls
Roll another tree, green leaves and all
Comin' pretty deep, me and my dogs
I have a marijuana cigarette in my right hand, a 40-ounce bottle of beer on my lap, and it is cold outside. My friends and I are smoking lots of marijuana together.
Yo, I gotta hit the back streets
Wonderin' 'bout the six pounds and I got heat
Glock, Glock shots to the block, we creep creep
I need to drive on the back streets and I am worried about the six pounds of drugs I have with me. I have a gun in case we need to use it. We drive slowly and quietly.
Pop-pop, hope cops don't see me, on the low key
With no regard 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
I hope the police do not see us and we are trying to avoid them secretly. We have no respect for the law and we are trying to dodge them however we can. I will not get caught and taken to jail for your mistakes.
Keep a gun in car, and a blunt to spark
Roll it up if you want, and get it poppin', dawg
I have a gun and a marijuana cigarette in my car. I can roll it and smoke if my friends want to.
Ready or not, we bust shots off in the air, Krayzie Bone and Chamillionaire
We are shooting our guns into the air, and Krayzie Bone and I are together.
Now would you think it's so? I tried to let you go
Turn on my blinker light and then I swang it slow
And they upset for sho', 'cause they think they know
That they catchin' me with plenty of the drank and dro
Do you think it is true that the police are arresting me? I turned on my blinker and I am turning slowly, but the police are still upset because they think I am breaking the law and drinking alcohol and using drugs.
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' (keep tryin')
'Cause they denyin' that it's racial profilin'
The police are following me and checking the tags on my car. They are looking at me through their squad car's rear-view mirror and smiling while they do it. They think they will be successful in catching me breaking the law, but it is merely racial profiling and they do not acknowledge this.
Houston, Texas, you can check my tags (tags)
Pull me over try to check my slab (slab)
Glove compartment, gotta get my cash
'Cause the crooked cops try to come up fast
I am from Houston and I have the proper tags for my car. The police might search me in hopes of finding something illegal. I have my money in the glove box so the police cannot take it easily.
And bein' the baller that I am, I talk to them
Givin' a damn about 'em not feelin' my attitude
When they realize I ain't even ridin' dirty
Bet you'll be leavin' with an even madder mood
I am successful and so I talk to the police despite knowing they do not like me. I do not care if they dislike my attitude. If they realize I am not breaking the law, they will become even angrier for doing this to me.
I'ma laugh at you and then I have to cruise
Jammin' number two on some old DJ Screw
You can't arrest me, plus you can't sue
This a message to the laws tell 'em, "We hate you"
I will laugh at the police once I have to leave, and then I will drive listening to a popular DJ Screw song. The police cannot arrest me or sue me. This message is for the officers: we do not like you.
I can't be touched or tell 'em that they shoulda known
Tippin' down, sittin' crooked on my chrome
Bookin' my phone, findin' a chick I wanna bone
Like they couldn't stop me, I'm 'bout to pull up at your home, and it's on
No one can catch me or tell me that they should have known I could do this. I am driving with my car tilted to one side and I am speaking to women on my phone, trying to find someone to have sex with. It is as if the police cannot stop me, and I am soon going to arrive at your home.
(Oh shit, damn man)
(Goddamn nigga)
(Damn, my arm, nigga, my arm stuck in the wheel)
(Damn, man, I done spilled my drink, man)
(My bad, I was tryna take a picture of that broad with my picture phone)
(And my hand slipped off the wheel)
(Dang, man)
(Are y'all alright?)
(I can't get the door open, man) (do y'all need a doctor?)
(Call the doctor, I need another prescription)
(Damn, I done spilled my drink)
There are sounds of people getting into a car accident because they are drinking and driving. They spill their drinks, and one of them's arm is stuck in the wheel. They may be injured and require a doctor, or more prescription drugs.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hakeem T. Seriki, Anthony Henderson, Juan Carlos Jr. Salinas, Oscar Edward Salinas
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?