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
The Real
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cars real big
Belly real big
Everything real big
Rims real big
Pockets real big
Rings real big
Let me tell you how I live
Like that buy that 24's ride that
Ladies, Gentlemen
Gangstas, Pimps
Mammas, Daddy's
Stunnas, Shiners
I'm rich bitch, I'm a real Big Tymer
King of the hood, everything wood
Look like a forest in the truck and I'm a put
Matchin' cassette
Big open deck, hardwood floors in that thing that connect
From the front to the back, try to top that
Six 15's beatin' hard in the deck
Push that button, microwave oven
I'm just gettin' started player, you ain't seen nothin'
"Is that a fish tank, bra, in the middle of the dash?"
Yeah pimpin' don't put your fingers on my glass!
Got a two lane bowling ally up in the truck
And on the other side a bed if she want to get stuck
Clap off lights when you get an affection
Clap on lights when you findin' protection
Now where iin the wide wide world of gator
Can you ever find a truck with a plush elevator?
House real big
Cars real big
Belly real big
Everything real big
Rims real big
Pockets real big
Rings real big
Let me tell you how I live
Here I come so, so right (Right on!)
In the shoes so, so wide (Dynamite!)
Hey y'all peep the outfit
Wait a minute, hold up just a bit (Back up, workin' with a monster)
Now everybody knows I got the shiniest clothes
Y'all still doin' little league and I'm in the pros
Then white boys go wild "He's my idol"
And black boys say "Dude holdin' the title"
As the king of the south
Work it in and out
And dude still pimp white teeth up in his mouth
I'm the truth from the book shawty, what you want to see?
I ain't gotta get money man, money get me
Yeah, pimpin' still blindin' (bling!)
Keep a Steve Harvey linin' (Edgin' up)
And I'm leather reclinin' (Laid back)
With the music Alpinin'
House real big
Cars real big
Belly real big
Everything real big
Rims real big
Pockets real big
Rings real big
Let me tell you how I live
Move, lil' one I ain't playin'
Land in the projects in a big jet plane
Roll out in a old blue Chevy van
With your baby mamma cookin' rookie 'cause I can
I do it on the real
Your broad jockin' stunna grill
I do it on the real
Your broad jockin' stunna grill
'Bout to clown put it down y'all still my girls
Show all y'all shorties how to do donuts
Round and round and round (Skkrrrt! Stop!)
This the part where I give my phone number to all the girls that's hot
Dial 976 that outside dick
Or 874 shorty show me how it go
Have you ever seen a big stretch truck like that?
Now have you ever seen a big broad but like that?
Budonkadonk all out of her pants
With a bowlegged cowboy stance
House real big
Cars real big
Belly real big
Everything real big
Rims real big
Pockets real big
Rings real big
Let me tell you how I live
The lyrics of Chamillionaire's song The Real are all about living life in excess. The opening lines of the song emphasize the theme of bigness with the repetition of the word "big" in reference to the singer's house, cars, belly, everything, rims, pockets, and rings. The song continues to describe the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy protagonist, with lines about his 24s, gangsta, pimp, and stunnas.
The singer is established as the king of the hood, and everything in his life is made of wood, to the extent that his truck looks like a forest. He has a state-of-the-art sound system in his vehicle that can shake the ground, a fish tank in the middle of his dash, a two-lane bowling alley, and a bed if someone wants to get "stuck." The lyrics describe him as a "real Big Tymer" who has a plush elevator in his truck.
The song goes on to emphasize that the singer is the "king of the south" who is always blindin', keeps a Steve Harvey lining, and leather reclining. He is the truth from the book, and he does it all on the real. The singer is portrayed as confident and unapologetic about his wealth, flaunting it in every way possible.
Line by Line Meaning
House real big
I have a large house
Cars real big
I own big cars
Belly real big
I am overweight
Everything real big
Everything I own is huge
Rims real big
I have large rims on my car
Pockets real big
I have a lot of money
Rings real big
I wear big rings
Let me tell you how I live
I am going to explain my extravagant lifestyle
Like that buy that 24's ride that
I buy and ride the latest cars with 24-inch rims
Ladies, Gentlemen, Gangstas, Pimps, Mammas, Daddy's, Stunnas, Shiners
Everyone can appreciate my lifestyle
I'm rich bitch, I'm a real Big Tymer
I am wealthy and successful
King of the hood, everything wood
I am the top dog in my neighborhood and everything I own is made of wood
Look like a forest in the truck and I'm a put
My truck is so full of wood that it looks like a forest and I will continue to add more
Matchin' cassette
I have a matching wood-trimmed cassette tape player in my truck
Big open deck, hardwood floors in that thing that connect
My truck has a large, open deck area and hardwood floors that connect to the main cabin
From the front to the back, try to top that
My truck is impressive from every angle
Six 15's beatin' hard in the deck
My truck has a sound system with six 15-inch subwoofers, which produce a loud bass
Push that button, microwave oven
My truck has a built-in microwave oven that can be controlled by pushing a button
I'm just gettin' started player, you ain't seen nothin'
I have many more extravagant features that I have not even mentioned yet
"Is that a fish tank, bra, in the middle of the dash?"
There is indeed a fish tank in the middle of my truck's dashboard
Yeah pimpin' don't put your fingers on my glass!
Don't touch the glass covering the fish tank, please
Got a two lane bowling ally up in the truck
My truck has a two-lane bowling alley in it
And on the other side a bed if she want to get stuck
There is also a bed on the other side of the truck, in case someone wants to have sex on it
Clap off lights when you get an affection
You can turn off the truck's lights by clapping your hands, which can come in handy during romantic moments
Clap on lights when you findin' protection
Clap again and the lights will come back on, which could be a useful safety feature
Now where iin the wide wide world of gator
I'm not sure where else you could find a truck as extravagant as mine
Can you ever find a truck with a plush elevator?
My truck even has a plush elevator in it
Here I come so, so right (Right on!)
I look great
In the shoes so, so wide (Dynamite!)
My shoes are bright and spectacular
Hey y'all peep the outfit
Check out my clothes and how they look
Wait a minute, hold up just a bit (Back up, workin' with a monster)
Wait and give me some space, I am working with something impressive here
Now everybody knows I got the shiniest clothes
My clothes are very shiny and attractive
Y'all still doin' little league and I'm in the pros
You are all still amateurs and I am a professional
Then white boys go wild "He's my idol"
White guys are amazed by me and consider me their idol
And black boys say "Dude holdin' the title"
Black guys think I am the best
As the king of the south
I am the most important person in the southern United States
Work it in and out
I am doing well in every area of my life
And dude still pimp white teeth up in his mouth
I have white teeth and look cool
I'm the truth from the book shawty, what you want to see?
I am incredibly successful and can prove it
I ain't gotta get money man, money get me
I am so rich that money comes to me
Yeah, pimpin' still blindin' (bling!)
I still have a lot of jewellery that shines
Keep a Steve Harvey linin' (Edgin' up)
I keep my hairline looking sharp, like the comedian Steve Harvey
And I'm leather reclinin' (Laid back)
I am sitting back and relaxing in my leather chair
With the music Alpinin'
I am listening to great music while I relax
Move, lil' one I ain't playin'
Get out of my way
Land in the projects in a big jet plane
I arrived in a big private jet even though I am in a low-income neighbourhood
Roll out in a old blue Chevy van
I leave the airport in a blue Chevrolet minivan
With your baby mamma cookin' rookie 'cause I can
I am cooking food with someone's partner just because I can
I do it on the real
I am living my extravagant life in reality
Your broad jockin' stunna grill
Your girlfriend admires me for my fancy teeth
'Bout to clown put it down y'all still my girls
I am about to entertain, and all the women there are interested in me
Show all y'all shorties how to do donuts
I am going to show everyone how to do donuts in a car
Round and round and round (Skkrrrt! Stop!)
I will keep spinning the car and suddenly brake, which is very impressive
This the part where I give my phone number to all the girls that's hot
This is where I take the opportunity to give my number to any attractive women around me
Dial 976 that outside dick
Call me anytime you need something
Or 874 shorty show me how it go
Or text me a sexy photo or video
Have you ever seen a big stretch truck like that?
Have you ever seen a truck this big and impressive?
Now have you ever seen a big broad but like that?
Have you ever seen a woman with a big butt like hers?
Budonkadonk all out of her pants
Her butt is so big that it is spilling out of her pants
With a bowlegged cowboy stance
She is standing with her legs apart like a cowboy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Byron O. Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew Dompreh
this song goes too hard