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
Scratch That
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, I heard there was a funeral for Auto-Tune
I'm glad that I'm livin, some of y'all is doomed
Talkin 'bout death, I'd be honored to
Death of DJs yellin over all the tunes
Thought he was the man but that boy a coon
And I'm so street smart they call me "Harvard Goon"
Mixtape Messiah 8 is what y'all assume
[explosion]
Gotta kill it like Michael, not Jackson but Vick (why?)
Get punished for the crime, have 'em still on my dick
I'm so Pharreal with this thing on my hip (yep)
Pusha and a Malice, yeah I got me two Clipse (Clipse)
Lookin for some trouble, you can have your first wish
I'd take your house, have your kitchen on bricks (woo!)
No banana in the tailpipe Miss (nah)
Pullin my money and it's never no splits
Whips what you mean, I could be a slave master
Hundred for the Benz but the 'lac is way faster
(College) dropout like I never heard Asher
I don't need your opinion if I ain't ask ya
Make 'em remember they asthma
Ladies want to practice, I make 'em play tackle (tackle)
Chill out, what ya hidin from the drop for?
Lookin for some ice baby, welcome to Alaska
(N Luv Wit My Money), I'm just tryin to kiss stacks (yep)
Tryin to date mine, I'm a tell the chick tax (yep)
Million dollar mack, have your mama on her back
Tap Tap for Revenge like the iPhone app (ha)
King of mixtapes, let 'em know that that's fact
I'm fittin to run rap, mess around and get lapped (lapped)
Round of applause for ya if I get jacked
I bet ya hear claps comin out the kid's strap (woo!)
Everytime they see me, they just call me "hachoo"
'Cause every verse sick enough to give ya that flu (flu)
Every stack I'm pickin up thick as Ragu
I'm pullin up in my dropper, they like "Koopa, that's you?"
True, I just want my clout to last
And they say that money talks, so I'm talkin fast (fast)
Promise my vault is like Alcatraz
Ya break in, you're never gonna make it out with cash
Could get money out of Pamela Anderson (what?)
And her son, I'm the man with funds (funds)
Give me your account, let me manage one
I'm a gon' clean it out until the damage done
Let me be clear (yeah), no antenna
Hundred thou' stacks, that's a big man dinner
Pull up outside on some big chrome spinners
Hop out just to show you how quick I can get scrilla
In the song "Scratch That" by Chamillionaire, the rapper takes a jab at the overuse of Auto-Tune in the music industry. He mentions that he heard there was a funeral for Auto-Tune and he's glad that he's living because some artists who rely on it are doomed. He would be honored to witness the death of DJs yelling over all the tunes. Chamillionaire boasts about his street smarts, referring to himself as Harvard Goon, and states that his mixtape Messiah 8 is what everyone assumes, but he advises them to scratch that and better take cover, dodge the boom.
Chamillionaire makes references to various popular figures while promoting his dominance. He compares his ability to "kill it" like Michael, not Jackson but Vick (former NFL quarterback convicted of animal cruelty). He proclaims himself as a Pharreal with the thing on his hip, a pusha and a malice, and he lets everyone know that he has got two Clipse. Chamillionaire taunts that he could take someone's house and have their kitchen on bricks. He expresses that his money is never split and that he could afford a hundred-thousand-dollar Benz but prefers the faster Cadillac. The rapper does not shy away from flaunting his wealth and power, and he ends the first verse by emphasizing his skill to make money quickly.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, I heard there was a funeral for Auto-Tune
I heard that Auto-Tune is no longer in favor and people are done using it
I'm glad that I'm livin, some of y'all is doomed
I'm happy that I'm still successful and relevant while some others are on their way down
Talkin 'bout death, I'd be honored to
I wouldn't mind being remembered as one of the greats, even if I'm not here anymore
Death of DJs yellin over all the tunes
I'm tired of DJs ruining good songs by talking over them
Thought he was the man but that boy a coon
Someone who thought they were cool turned out to be not as great as they thought
And I'm so street smart they call me "Harvard Goon"
I might be street-smart but I'm educated too
Mixtape Messiah 8 is what y'all assume
People think they know what I'm up to but they're wrong
But scratch that, better take cover, dodge the boom! (yeah)
[explosion]
Actually, be prepared for what's coming because it's going to make a big impact
Gotta kill it like Michael, not Jackson but Vick (why?)
Get punished for the crime, have 'em still on my dick
I need to perform at my best like Michael Vick and make them forget my past mistakes
I'm so Pharreal with this thing on my hip (yep)
I'm so cool with my gun that some may even confuse me with Pharrell Williams
Pusha and a Malice, yeah I got me two Clipse (Clipse)
I have two guns like the rap duo Clipse's name
Lookin for some trouble, you can have your first wish
I'd take your house, have your kitchen on bricks (woo!)
If you're really asking for trouble, I could retaliate and leave your house in ruins
No banana in the tailpipe Miss (nah)
Pullin my money and it's never no splits
I won't be fooled or conned out of my money
Whips what you mean, I could be a slave master
Hundred for the Benz but the 'lac is way faster
I don't just own nice cars but calling myself a 'slave master' shows the extent of my wealth
(College) dropout like I never heard Asher
I don't need your opinion if I ain't ask ya
I don't need your approval or criticism if I didn't specifically ask for it
Make 'em remember they asthma
Ladies want to practice, I make 'em play tackle (tackle)
I want to be so impressive that people are struggling to catch their breath and women want to get physical with me
Chill out, what ya hidin from the drop for?
Lookin for some ice baby, welcome to Alaska
Calm down and stop trying to hide from the drop, and if you're looking for something expensive, this is the best place to find it
(N Luv Wit My Money), I'm just tryin to kiss stacks (yep)
Tryin to date mine, I'm a tell the chick tax (yep)
I'm in love with my money and not interested in sharing it unless it's worth it
Million dollar mack, have your mama on her back
Tap Tap for Revenge like the iPhone app (ha)
I'm so influential that I could make your mom fall for me and still have time to play a silly phone game
King of mixtapes, let 'em know that that's fact
I'm fittin to run rap, mess around and get lapped (lapped)
I'm the best at making mixtapes, and soon enough I'm going to rule the rap scene and leave everyone else behind
Round of applause for ya if I get jacked
I bet ya hear claps comin out the kid's strap (woo!)
If you manage to steal from me, you should be proud of yourself, but be aware that my guns will start firing
Everytime they see me, they just call me "hachoo"
'Cause every verse sick enough to give ya that flu (flu)
My verses are so good that people can't help but sneeze in response
Every stack I'm pickin up thick as Ragu
I'm pullin up in my dropper, they like "Koopa, that's you?"
Every bundle of cash I collect is as thick as a hearty pasta sauce, and when I pull up in my luxurious car, people know it's me
True, I just want my clout to last
And they say that money talks, so I'm talkin fast (fast)
I want people to keep talking about me and keep making money with as little time wasted as possible
Promise my vault is like Alcatraz
Ya break in, you're never gonna make it out with cash
I promise that my money is secure and anyone who tries to steal it won't be able to get away with anything
Could get money out of Pamela Anderson (what?)
And her son, I'm the man with funds (funds)
I have so much money that I could get Pamela Anderson and her son to invest in me
Give me your account, let me manage one
I'm a gon' clean it out until the damage done
If you let me manage your money, I'm going to use all of it and leave nothing behind
Let me be clear (yeah), no antenna
Hundred thou' stacks, that's a big man dinner
I'm making it clear that I don't want anyone infringing on my territory, and $100,000 is only enough for a big dinner, not a life-changing amount of money
Pull up outside on some big chrome spinners
Hop out just to show you how quick I can get scrilla
I'm not just showing off with my fancy car, I'm actually making money quickly and easily
Contributed by Gianna L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.