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.
-------------------------------------------------------
(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
The Crowd Goes Wild
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We have the Chamillitary band, the Chamillionator
Stand up and give applause, woooo
Let the games begin
[Hook 1 - x2]
They yelling all up in the bleachers
Whole crowd yelling cause they know that I'ma get it
Now everybody saying I'm the trillest
[Verse 1]
The crowd goes wild, the industry is so foul
I hit em with a pow, then I'm like how you like me now?
If you don't see the lord you better go find a lord to dial
I can have you beat up quicker than your eye can raise a brow
They magnify my life, doing them right, I'm doing the same
Looking at me like I'm crazy, looking at you like you are sane
I'm the rapper they can blame for killing a verse like Lil Wayne
The money you pay for the feature, guess that that's the price of pain
The paparazzi popping talking bout that's the price of fame
If I bust you in your limbs I bet, I bet that price will change
Forget that industry mixer talking a flight today to Spain
Living a life like I'm a king, or like a prince just like I'm James
Nah, I don't really know if I'ma get on the Oprah show
Ya'll, I just know I'm just bound to get that Oprah doe
Just like the? I'm the driver in that overcoat
Walking to that Phantom passenger side to open Oprah's doe
[Hook 1 - x2]
Hurry up, call the ambulance
We need paramedics, quickly!
[Gun Shot]
[Hook 2]
Let's play follow the leader, the whole underground gon' copy your style
They yelling all in the bleachers, a lot of people calling for features now
Let it burn up your speakers, my Mixtape's is all for the metre huh?
But I won't give you a free burst, you want it? Got to holla at me first dog
"During the making of this mixtape, no A&R's, label executives or industry DJ's were hurt
This message has been brought to you by the trill folks set, Chamillitary man, thank you"
The opening lines of Chamillionaire's "The Crowd Goes Wild" set the stage for a show that's about to pop off. The Chamillitary band and Chamillionator are ready to go, and the crowd is starting to chant. The song is a reference to Chamillionaire's controversial past in the hip-hop industry. He used to be criticized for being too aggressive and villainous, but now he's recognized as a true artist. He has come a long way from his early days in the industry but still receives backlash for his unique style. Chamillionaire addresses this in the song, saying "They yelling all up in the bleachers, whole crowd yelling cause they know that I'ma get it. Remember they always saying I'm the villain, now everybody saying I'm the trillest."
The first verse of the song is a display of Chamillionaire's lyrical skills. He talks about how the industry is flawed and how he wants to change it. He mentions Lil Wayne as a reference to how some artists get criticized for being too different or out of the norm. He also makes reference to the paparazzi and how they try to invade the private lives of celebrities. When he says "If I bust you in your limbs, I bet that price will change," he is referring to how the industry is all about money and how some artists will do anything for it. The song has a clear message of Chamillionaire's evolution in the hip-hop industry – from being misunderstood and criticized to being recognized for his true artistry.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you for joining us today for the festivities
Gratitude is expressed for the attendance of individuals who have come to enjoy the entertainment provided
We have the Chamillitary band, the Chamillionator
The Chamillitary band and Chamillionator are present and will perform
Stand up and give applause, woooo
The audience is requested to stand and show appreciation for the performance by making noise
Let the games begin
The performance is about to start and the entertainment will begin
They yelling all up in the bleachers
The people in the bleachers are loudly cheering and screaming
Whole crowd yelling cause they know that I'ma get it
The entire audience is cheering because they know the performer is going to put up a great show
Remember they always saying I'm the villain
People have previously expressed negative opinions of the performer by referring to them as the antagonist
Now everybody saying I'm the trillest
Everybody is now commending, applauding and hailing the performer as genuine and authentic
The crowd goes wild, the industry is so foul
The audience is enthusiastically cheering and the performer is noting the music industry's negative associations or illegalities
I hit em with a pow, then I'm like how you like me now?
I come in firing on all cylinders and then ask the audience how much they appreciate the performance
If you don't see the lord you better go find a lord to dial
If you aren't seeing things clearly, you need to find a way to get some guidance
I can have you beat up quicker than your eye can raise a brow
I can quickly defeat you, even before you get a chance to react
They magnify my life, doing them right, I'm doing the same
My life story is overly exaggerated, but I am still seeing success in the music industry
Looking at me like I'm crazy, looking at you like you are sane
I am looked at strangely, even though the very same people are considered normal
I'm the rapper they can blame for killing a verse like Lil Wayne
My rap verse is so good, it is compared to Lil Wayne's who is considered one of the best, and I am blamed for this deadly comparison
The money you pay for the feature, guess that that's the price of pain
The amount of money you pay for a contribution from me determines the pain you feel
The paparazzi popping talking bout that's the price of fame
Paparazzi is around me constantly, and their presence is now considered the norm for my popularity
If I bust you in your limbs I bet, I bet that price will change
If I injure you, the price you pay for my services would surely change
Forget that industry mixer talking a flight today to Spain
I do not care about industry mixers and would rather travel to Spain
Living a life like I'm a king, or like a prince just like I'm James
I am living life like I am royalty, either a king or prince, like James
Nah, I don't really know if I'ma get on the Oprah show
I may or may not be on the Oprah Winfrey show
Ya'll, I just know I'm just bound to get that Oprah doe
Even if I don't get on the show, I will still earn money like Oprah
Just like the? I'm the driver in that overcoat
Just like the chauffeur, I wear an overcoat and perform a driver-like role
Walking to that Phantom passenger side to open Oprah's doe
I am walking towards the passenger side of the Phantom car to open Oprah's door
Hurry up, call the ambulance
Someone needs medical attention and the ambulance should be called immediately
We need paramedics, quickly!
Medical personnel should come to the scene urgently
[Gun Shot]
A gunshot is heard
Let's play follow the leader, the whole underground gon' copy your style
The performer is the leader and admirers will copy his style
They yelling all in the bleachers, a lot of people calling for features now
The audience is screaming and many want to collaborate with the performer
Let it burn up your speakers, my Mixtape's is all for the metre huh?
Play the music loudly and let the performance enflame your speakers with lyrical meters
But I won't give you a free burst, you want it? Got to holla at me first dog
I won't give you a free performance, and if you want it, you need to let me know first
Contributed by Sarah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.