Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award … Read Full Bio ↴Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award nominated rapper, member of The Color Changin' Click and founder of Chamillitary Entertainment. Better known as Chamillionaire, he also uses nicknames such as The Mixtape Messiah, King Koopa, Color Changin' Lizard, Chamillinator, Chamillitary Mayne, Major Payne and The Truth From Texas. He began rapping in 1998, releasing mixtapes and a collab album with fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall. He released his debut album, The Sound of Revenge, in 2005, and his sophmore release, Ultimate Victory, in 2007. He plans to release his yet untitled third album at the end of 2009 or early 2010.

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

Texas Boys
Chamillionaire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Rasaq]
Color Changin' Click, Chamillionaire, Rasaq boy!.
Ay. what yall really know 'bout this Texas Boys man

[Pimp C - Insert] (Rasaq ad-libs)
What yall know about them Texas boys
Comin down in candy toys, comin' down in candy toys.
What yall-What yall know about them Texas,

What yall know about them Texas boys, comin' down in candy toys.
(repeat)

[Rasaq]
Texas boys roll SLAB's rollin' slow and never fast
Cuz we sittin' on glass, and we showin' off this cash
On the mash, tryna multiply the stash
Bump yo gums and make us mad we gon' get up in yo ass
Like a rash when a Texas boy act,
that's yo toe up in a tag, and ya body in a bag
We ain't usually this mad, usually we zag
Let the bumper-kit drag, and we blowin' on grass
Trunk on blast, sippin' on my last
Rollin' down the Ave., in I rolled down the rag
You see them DVD's, you see them 8 TV's
You see that Pioneer, Clarion and that JVC
You see them lad-ies on my n-u-t'z
Down here it's country tunes we don't mess with MC's
I'ma hold it down, we gon' slow it down
Recline and blow a pound, put this hoe up in rewind
- Uh, now what you know about us, (What yall know about them Texas boys)
come up in the club and we lean by the cuffs
Uh, now what you know about us, (What yall know about them Texas boys)
5th wheel on the trunk, hit a switch and lift it up
Uh, now what you know about me, (What yall know about them Texas boys)
S-L-A-B, sittin' on "23's
Uh, now what you know about T,-E to the X-A-S,
we some G's

[Pimp C - Insert]
What yall know about them Texas boys
Comin down in candy toys, comin' down in candy toys.
What yall-What yall know about them Texas,

What yall know about them Texas boys, comin' down in candy toys.
(repeat)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chamillionaire's song "Texas Boys" highlight the lifestyle and attitude of Texas boys who like to cruise around in their candy-painted cars, with their trunk on blast and sipping on their last drink. The song features Rasaq and Pimp C representing the Color Changin' Click, a Houston-based rap group. Rasaq starts off the song by naming his crew and asking what others really know about Texas Boys. The chorus, delivered by Pimp C in his signature style, emphasizes the flashy and luxurious lifestyle of Texas boys, who are known to drive around in their candy-painted toys.

The verses that follow focus on the slow roll of Texas boys who prefer to savor their candy-coated vehicles and show off their wealth. Rasaq brags about sitting on glass and multiplying his stash, while warning those who bump their gums to not anger them, lest they end up with a Texan-sized trouncing. The lyrics then touch on the love of country tunes, the preference for lean, and the display of audio-visual equipment, considered essential for the full-blown driving experience. Rasaq concludes by pledging to hold it down for Texas, slowing it down, reclining, enjoying his smoke, and reminiscing about the good old days when Texas boys were kings of the cars.

Line by Line Meaning

Color Changin' Click, Chamillionaire, Rasaq boy!.
Chamillionaire, Rasaq, and the rest of the Color Changin' Click are all Texas boys.

Ay. what yall really know 'bout this Texas Boys man
Do you really understand what it means to be a Texas boy?

Texas boys roll SLAB's rollin' slow and never fast
Texas boys drive SLABs (Slow, Low, and Bangin' cars) at a leisurely pace.

Cuz we sittin' on glass, and we showin' off this cash
Texas boys have expensive cars with custom rims, and they like to show off their wealth.

On the mash, tryna multiply the stash
Texas boys hustle to make more money and increase their wealth.

Bump yo gums and make us mad we gon' get up in yo ass
If you talk badly about a Texas boy, they will retaliate aggressively.

Like a rash when a Texas boy act, that's yo toe up in a tag, and ya body in a bag
When a Texas boy gets angry, it's like a rash that spreads quickly. If you mess with a Texas boy, you might end up in a body bag.

We ain't usually this mad, usually we zag
Texas boys are typically laid back, but if you push them too far, they will attack.

Let the bumper-kit drag, and we blowin' on grass
Texas boys have hydraulics installed in their cars, and they like to smoke marijuana.

Trunk on blast, sippin' on my last
Texas boys blast their music loudly and enjoy drinking alcohol.

Rollin' down the Ave., in I rolled down the rag
Texas boys cruise down the avenue with the top down on their convertible cars.

You see them DVD's, you see them 8 TV's
Texas boys have multiple screens in their car for entertainment purposes.

You see that Pioneer, Clarion and that JVC
Texas boys have high-end audio equipment in their cars.

You see them lad-ies on my n-u-t'z
Texas boys attract a lot of women.

Down here it's country tunes we don't mess with MC's
Texas boys prefer country music over hip-hop.

I'ma hold it down, we gon' slow it down
Texas boys will remain steadfast in their beliefs and continue to live life at a leisurely pace.

Recline and blow a pound, put this hoe up in rewind
Texas boys like to relax, smoke marijuana, and listen to music.

Uh, now what you know about us, (What yall know about them Texas boys)
Do you really understand what it means to be a Texas boy?

come up in the club and we lean by the cuffs
Texas boys stand casually with one arm leaning on their car.

5th wheel on the trunk, hit a switch and lift it up
Texas boys have a specialized wheel on the back of their car that can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic switch.

S-L-A-B, sittin' on "23's"
Texas boys drive SLABs with rims that are sized 23 inches or larger.

T,-E to the X-A-S, we some G's
Texas boys are from Texas and consider themselves to be gangsters.

What yall know about them Texas boys
Do you really understand what it means to be a Texas boy?

Comin down in candy toys, comin' down in candy toys.
Texas boys drive cars with candy-colored paint jobs.

What yall-What yall know about them Texas,
Do you really understand what it means to be a Texan?

What yall know about them Texas boys, comin' down in candy toys.
Texas boys drive cars with candy-colored paint jobs.

Contributed by Molly Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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