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
Sound of Revenge
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause y'all are the judge
The day of judgment finally is near
In your eye I see a tear
And it's reminding me of fear
Rap's been dead so long
So stop denying what you feel
That y'all ain't trying to keep it real
Grim reaper that we call Revenge
Right beside ya in your ear
He's saying your time expired
Time is finally due it's clear
Not sober mind is a weak mind
And he's buying you a beer
Cheers time for a toast (Your heart's beating your heart's beating)
To the haters that hate you the most (Your heart's beating)
And the friends that pretend to be your folks (Your heart's beating)
This is what revenge sounds like (Your heart's beating your heart's beating)
I hear your heart beating
Keep running your mouth yeah
Your mouth running ahead of you
Your mouth do what your legs should do
Let me walk to the edge with you
Jump off of it it
It sounds like your ready to
Cause these rappers are terrible
And the game is unbearable but I'ma fix fix
This feeling that's dead in you
Got your brains like a vegetable
Use the Pro Tools and tell em to edit it it
Switch to something that's better fool
Turn it up what you better do
When I'm bringing revenge to you it sounds like this this this
Somebody call the doctor (You're not breathing you're not breathing)
They ain't gonna be well after this one right here
You're not breathing (You're not breathing you're not breathing)
Just make sure they learn the name (You're not breathing)
That's about to be running the game (You're not breathing)
Tell em the name
Chamillitary Mayne
Shoulda heard what I was telling you
I don't do what the jealous do
I don't hate when a nigga make it
Cause I'm smarter and better too
You run when they tell you to
But I move when I'm ready to
If you stop to take a breather
See that I'm light years ahead of you
Y'all musta thought y'all wasn't gonna (I'm not leaving I'm not leaving)
Have to see me or something
Houston Texas I'm here now (I'm not leaving I'm not leaving)
Anybody gotta problem
Speak now or forever hold your peace
I ain't think so yeah
The feeling's great cause they pay me
I expect some hatred so daily
I'm sticking the middle finger up
Like the feeling's mutual baby
The franchise and they say with
The future can't really trade me
In Houston I'm number one
Like I'm in the place of McGrady
But keep on pacing it baby
The full truth has arrived
If they ask you about you nigga
You fin to lie
They ask me about me
And hear a truthful reply
They said they seem none
Better than me so hear the truth wit'cha eyes
Better go take over before it rains
Cause I'd hate to say that I told you Mayne
I know I know what you're gonna say
But have it your way
I know these haters is gonna hate
And I see that angry look on your face
Tell em Sound of Revenge is on the way
This isn't your day
Looking for the truth they ask me where have you been
(Where have you been)
(Where have you been)
Getting ready for these haters
I got something for them
(Something for them something for them)
You're real quiet till you think you hear a sound in the wind
(Sound in the wind sound in the wind)
You turn around
Cause you think you hear that sound once again
You hear that yeah what's that
That's The Sound of Revenge
See I told you
That's what happens
When you get on his bad side
Chamillitary Mayne
And now for The Sound of Revenge
Chamillionaire's "The Sound of Revenge" is a song that speaks on the issue of rap music's decline. The first verse opens with a lightning bolt strike, which represents the arrival of the day of judgment. Chamillionaire's lyrics portray himself as an agent of revenge who is seeking to rectify the rap world's wrongs. He calls out his detractors who have been denying the decline in the genre for too long. Chamillionaire refers to revenge as "Grim Reaper," who is fed up with the lack of honesty and authenticity in rap music. The rapper warns that weak-minded people are getting caught up in the game and leading into their own destruction. Chamillionaire claims to know the name of the one who will be leading the game, and that's him.
The second verse sees Chamillionaire taking aim at fellow rappers who he thinks are terrible at their craft. The rapper singles out the music industry's use of machines and software like Pro Tools to produce mediocre music. Chamillionaire also addresses the issue of jealousy in the industry, stating that he is not affected by jealousy and that he moves when he is ready to. The rapper then challenges those who feel that they can match up to him, leading up to the track's climax – "The Sound of Revenge." With a middle finger up and feeling great as they pay him, Chamillionaire admits that he expects some hatred daily.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah a lightning bolt strikes in the air yeah finally it's here
The long-awaited day of judgment is finally here, and it's going to strike like a lightning bolt.
Cause y'all are the judge
Everybody who has doubted and criticized the artist will be judged by him in return.
The day of judgment finally is near
The artist is finally taking revenge on his haters and keeping his word.
In your eye I see a tear
When the artist expresses his revenge, it makes his haters upset.
And it's reminding me of fear
The artist realizes that his haters were driven by fear of his success, causing them to spread negativity and hate.
Rap's been dead so long
The artist believes that the rap game has been stagnant for far too long.
So stop denying what you feel
The artist is urging his critics to stop denying their true feelings and admit that they are disturbed by his success.
Dis payback for the fact / That y'all ain't trying to keep it real
The artist is seeking revenge for his haters' inability to keep it real and admit that they are jealous of his success.
Grim reaper that we call Revenge / Right beside ya in your ear
The artist is referring to revenge as a Grim Reaper who is whispering in his haters' ears, urging them to fear the artist's revenge.
He's saying your time expired / Time is finally due it's clear
The Grim Reaper of Revenge is warning the artist's haters that their time is up, and his revenge is imminent.
Not sober mind is a weak mind / And he's buying you a beer
The artist believes that those who make poor choices while under the influence are weak-minded and are being led to make foolish mistakes.
Cheers time for a toast (Your heart's beating your heart's beating) / To the haters that hate you the most (Your heart's beating) / And the friends that pretend to be your folks (Your heart's beating) / This is what revenge sounds like (Your heart's beating your heart's beating)
The artist is celebrating his revenge against those who have hated him the most and those who pretended to be his friends, all while his heart is beating with excitement.
I hear your heart beating / Keep running your mouth yeah / Your mouth running ahead of you / Your mouth do what your legs should do / Let me walk to the edge with you / Jump off of it it / It sounds like your ready to / Cause these rappers are terrible / And the game is unbearable but I'ma fix fix / This feeling that's dead in you / Got your brains like a vegetable
The artist is taunting his critics, saying that they are all talk and no action and need his help to make something of their dead and hopeless careers in the awful rap game.
Use the Pro Tools and tell em to edit it it / Switch to something that's better fool / Turn it up what you better do / When I'm bringing revenge to you it sounds like this this this
The artist is suggesting that his critics use technology like Pro Tools to fix their lackluster music. He then proceeds to show them how revenge sounds like through his own music.
Somebody call the doctor (You're not breathing you're not breathing) / They ain't gonna be well after this one right here / You're not breathing (You're not breathing you're not breathing) / Just make sure they learn the name (You're not breathing) / That's about to be running the game (You're not breathing) / Tell em the name / Chamillitary Mayne
The artist is sending a warning through his music that his haters will not be able to breathe after they hear it, and that they need to learn his name because he is going to take over the rap game.
Shoulda heard what I was telling you / I don't do what the jealous do / I don't hate when a nigga make it / Cause I'm smarter and better too / You run when they tell you to / But I move when I'm ready to / If you stop to take a breather / See that I'm light years ahead of you
The artist is saying that he is not like his haters who get jealous of others' success. Instead, he moves at his own pace and is superior to them in every way.
Y'all musta thought y'all wasn't gonna (I'm not leaving I'm not leaving) / Have to see me or something / Houston Texas I'm here now (I'm not leaving I'm not leaving) / Anybody gotta problem / Speak now or forever hold your peace / I ain't think so yeah
The artist is telling his haters that he is not leaving anytime soon and that they should speak now if they have a problem with him. He is confident that they will not say anything because they know he is unstoppable.
The feeling's great cause they pay me / I expect some hatred so daily / I'm sticking the middle finger up / Like the feeling's mutual baby / The franchise and they say with / The future can't really trade me / In Houston I'm number one / Like I'm in the place of McGrady
The artist is saying that he loves the feeling of getting paid and being successful, even if it means that he will receive daily hate. He is confident in his status as the top rapper in Houston and cannot be traded like a sports player.
But keep on pacing it baby / The full truth has arrived / If they ask you about you nigga / You fin to lie / They ask me about me / And hear a truthful reply / They said they seem none / Better than me so hear the truth wit'cha eyes
The artist is saying that his haters can keep pacing and avoiding the truth about themselves, but the truth has finally arrived for all to see. The artist is confident that when people ask about him, they will hear a truthful reply about his superior skills and talents.
Better go take over before it rains / Cause I'd hate to say that I told you Mayne / I know I know what you're gonna say / But have it your way / I know these haters is gonna hate / And I see that angry look on your face / Tell em Sound of Revenge is on the way / This isn't your day
The artist is warning his haters to take over as soon as possible before they fall behind. He acknowledges that they are going to hate no matter what, and it is evident from the angry look on their faces. But he reminds them that The Sound of Revenge is on the way, and today is not their day.
Looking for the truth they ask me where have you been / (Where have you been) / Getting ready for these haters / I got something for them / (Something for them something for them) / You're real quiet till you think you hear a sound in the wind / (Sound in the wind sound in the wind) / You turn around / Cause you think you hear that sound once again / You hear that yeah what's that / That's The Sound of Revenge / See I told you / That's what happens / When you get on his bad side / And now for The Sound of Revenge
The artist is talking about how his haters have been searching for him and asking about his whereabouts. He is telling them that they better brace themselves because The Sound of Revenge is on its way and is going to strike like a sound in the wind. When they hear it, they will realize that they are on his bad side and will face the consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NSILO KHARONDE REDDICK, HAKEEM T. SERIKI, NICHOLAS W. SHERWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind