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 ft Akon
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chamillionaire:]
I'm looking in my rearview...
I can see a clearer view of you.. (Konvict, Kon...)
(This is the remix!) I see you waiting, I know you hate it...
[Hook: Akon (Chamillionaire)]
I see them watching, they waiting,
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
I see them watching, and waiting,
For an oppurtunity to ride up on me,
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty, (Cheah!)
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight! (C'mon!)
[Verse 1: Chamillionaire]
I got twenty grand in my pocket and, I'm riding round with my pockets crammed,
You the one that got the contraband, you smokin' that like you in Amsterdam,
Before I know it, I see them sirens, I'm pullin' over, "Hey, 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 searching who, they searching me and then they searching you,
They smell the breeze and you smell like trees, cuz you hit the blunt, and you hit the purple too,
Now the lie is irreversible, cuz you just told them we was riding clean,
They question you but they ain't question me yet, I'm thinking the police ain't find a thing,
(Yup) Standing on the side of the freeway, wishing they would just hurry up,
And I can see him walkin' up to me like he about put me up in 'em cuffs,
I turn around and I look at you, and you turn away like you feelin' sick,
I'm going to jail for what I didn't commit, I must admit that I hate a snitch...
[Hook: Akon]
I see them watching, they waiting,
For an oppurtunity to ride up on me,
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
I see them watching, and waiting,
For an oppurtunity to ride up on me,
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
[Verse 2: Chamillionaire]
Ever since they heard the song 'Ridin Dirty', the whole world been listening, I'm glad you heard me,
Some cops that representing the badge assure me, every cop ain't bad or tryna scare me,
A year later, after 'White 'n Nerdy', on the grind, still tryin', still flyin' birdies,
That stuff in your cuff still drivin' swervy, ridin' dirty like a vehicle inside the Derby,
A little inspired by UGK, and the rest inspired by the life I'm living,
Seen that Impala, he was drunk and that's when I saw the red lights go get him,
And it's ironic that during the chase, he murdered Chase, and this kid was Christian,
Movin' target went across the street and unfortunately the car didn't miss him,
And now the family is soon to know, that they gone have to do another funeral,
The angels ain't singing to your tune no more, don't move too fast, baby, move it slow...
Cuz one day in here, baby... Next thing you know,
Next thing you know, everything you used to move don't move no mo'!
[Hook: Akon (Chamillionaire)]
I see them watching, they waiting,
For an oppurtunity to ride up on me,
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
I see them watching, and waiting,
For an oppurtunity to ride up on me, (This is not a movie, it's real life!)
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
[Chamillionaire:]
It's real life... It ain't just a song, it's a message....
Nobody ever opens their eyes 'till someone gets killed...
Rest In Peace to Sean Bell....
Chamillitary man!
The lyrics to Chamillionaire's song "Ridin Overseas" describe the experience of driving while carrying drugs or contraband, and the fear and paranoia that come with that situation. Chamillionaire paints a vivid picture of being pulled over by the police, and the tense moments that follow as the officers search him and his passenger. He expresses frustration and anger at the idea of being falsely accused, and the betrayal he feels from a passenger who tries to shift the blame onto him. Through these lyrics, Chamillionaire highlights the dangers and injustices that can come with being a young person of color driving in America.
The chorus of the song features Akon, who sings about the constant surveillance and harassment that he and others like him face from the police. He describes the anxiety of knowing that any minor mistake or misstep could land him in jail. He also acknowledges the responsibility that comes with fame, and the pressure to set a good example for fans who look up to him.
Overall, "Ridin Overseas" is a powerful commentary on the experience of being a young person of color in America, and the ways in which systemic racism and policing can lead to unjust outcomes.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking in my rearview...
I'm checking my surroundings
I can see a clearer view of you..
I can see you trying to follow me
I see you waiting, I know you hate it...
I see you waiting for me to slip up, but I don't like it
I see them watching, they waiting,
I see people watching me and waiting for me to make a mistake
For an opportunity to ride up on me,
For a chance to pull me over or catch me doing something illegal
Hopin' they don't roll up on me, cuz today I'm ridin' dirty,
Hope the police don't catch me with illegal goods
And if they stop me I might be going to jail tonight!
If the police stop me, I might get arrested tonight
I got twenty grand in my pocket and, I'm riding round with my pockets crammed,
I have a lot of money with me and my car is full of stuff
You the one that got the contraband, you smokin' that like you in Amsterdam,
You're the one with the illegal drugs and you're smoking them like you're in Amsterdam
Before I know it, I see them sirens, I'm pullin' over, "Hey, we just ridin'!",
Suddenly, I see the police lights, so I pull over and try to act casual
"Don't talk back, won't be no violence, just shut up and sit in your seat in silence",
The police tell us to be quiet and not resist
Now the police is searching who, they searching me and then they searching you,
Now the police are searching us both for illegal goods
They smell the breeze and you smell like trees, cuz you hit the blunt, and you hit the purple too,
The police smell the marijuana smoke, and I know it's because you were smoking both marijuana and another drug
Now the lie is irreversible, cuz you just told them we was riding clean,
You lied and said we weren't carrying any illegal goods
They question you but they ain't question me yet, I'm thinking the police ain't find a thing,
The police question you, but not me, and I'm hoping they didn't find anything illegal
Standing on the side of the freeway, wishing they would just hurry up,
I'm waiting on the side of the road, hoping the police will finish their search quickly
And I can see him walkin' up to me like he about put me up in 'em cuffs,
I see a police officer approaching me and I know he might arrest me
I turn around and I look at you, and you turn away like you feelin' sick,
I look at you and I see you're feeling guilty and sick
I'm going to jail for what I didn't commit, I must admit that I hate a snitch...
I'm going to jail because you lied and didn't take responsibility for the illegal goods, and I hate when people refuse to own up to their actions
Ever since they heard the song 'Ridin Dirty', the whole world been listening, I'm glad you heard me,
Since my song 'Ridin Dirty' became popular, people have been paying more attention to my message, and I'm happy you're listening
Some cops that representing the badge assure me, every cop ain't bad or tryna scare me,
Some cops have told me that not all police officers are bad or trying to intimidate me
A year later, after 'White 'n Nerdy', on the grind, still tryin', still flyin' birdies,
A year after releasing 'White 'n Nerdy', I'm still working hard and succeeding
That stuff in your cuff still drivin' swervy, ridin' dirty like a vehicle inside the Derby,
You're still driving recklessly with the illegal drugs in your pocket, like a car at the Derby
A little inspired by UGK, and the rest inspired by the life I'm living,
Some of my inspiration comes from UGK, but most of it comes from my own life experiences
Seen that Impala, he was drunk and that's when I saw the red lights go get him,
I saw a drunk driver in an Impala, and moments later, the police pulled him over with their lights flashing
And it's ironic that during the chase, he murdered Chase, and this kid was Christian,
Ironically, during the police chase, the driver hit and killed someone named Chase, who was Christian
Movin' target went across the street and unfortunately the car didn't miss him,
The victim was walking across the street and unfortunately couldn't avoid the car
And now the family is soon to know, that they gone have to do another funeral,
The victim's family will soon have to plan another funeral
The angels ain't singing to your tune no more, don't move too fast, baby, move it slow...
God doesn't support your actions anymore, so be careful and slow down
Cuz one day in here, baby... Next thing you know,
You might end up in jail if you don't make better choices
Next thing you know, everything you used to move don't move no mo'!
You'll lose everything you had if you keep making poor decisions
It's real life... It ain't just a song, it's a message....
My song isn't just entertainment, it's a message about real-life consequences
Nobody ever opens their eyes 'till someone gets killed...
People tend to ignore problems until someone is hurt or killed
Rest In Peace to Sean Bell....
A tribute to Sean Bell, who was killed by police officers in 2006
Chamillitary man!
I'm proud to be part of the Chamillitary movement
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.