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 Truth
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah...
Chamillionaire..Mixtape Messiah baby
Always want to know something bout me man
want to know somethin bout me?
Don't judge me..don't judge me by my music
And don't judge me bout what you heard about me either
Chamillionaire..listen
Ay, My father was Muslim my momma's a Christian
I couldn't even look surprised when they said they was splittin'
Wasn't no bacon or grits in, off in the kitchen
It was missin', plate was full of non-nutrition
I was born skinny the hunger was forced in me
To get angry at my lifestyle, no smile wasn't born friendly
Born with a thorn in me, I'm scorned so I'm pourin' Remi
I'm thinkin' that's boys feel me, but boys is avoidin' me
Oh, got to excuse me for givin' you the truth
And being the type to give proof that you givin' an excuse
You gotta excuse me for gettin' in the booth,
and keepin' it real about life while you livin' in the poof...
fantasy, damnit he, isn't as big a man as me
If I tell him the truth he need to hear then he gettin' mad at me
The truth could hit ya as hard as assault & battery,
and make people that used to run with me switch up and challenge me
But ain't we family? y'all forgettin' what y'all were
Forget what ya boy heard, 'cause this is 'bout more words
It's all 'bout communication but niggas ignore verbs
If ya boy shouted I'm hatin', then that got ya boy served
Don't deny it if you a man, so you should be man enough
I'm far from feminine we take pisses while standin' up They smokin' on cannibus while they tell us they jammin' us
Look a fan in the face and ask em' "Are you a true fan or what"?
"Are you really a fan of us"? or are you type to switch
and get pissed and bootleg the disc 'cause I'm not, droppin' em' quick
They love ya and then they diss, they hug ya and then they hiss
They happy when you arrive and go right back to being pissed
Honestly man, I don't really even give a damn
Instead of being who you want me to be I be who I'am
I'm livin' life of my family and live life of Cham'
I don't live life for my fans
And don't, switch up my words just let me explain my thought
I appreciate ya support, I appreciate if ya bought,
my cd's with all ya heart but this music is just an art
But it's not as precious as life in the middle is where I'm caught
Lookin' out for my people, my motive is never evil
My motive was never see-through, my motive was always equal
Outsiders would lie and try to promote it they out (to) decieve you
They give a notice to you, but don't give a notice to me too
Ya, that's somethin' I call divide and conquer
They try to get inside the monster to divide the monster
So they can become the monster, then they'll try to stomp ya
Inside the circle of friends is where you'll find imposters
To hell with y'all niggas
(Chamillionaire Talks about all the controversy and clears all the rumors)
{Song Ends after Talking}
In Chamillionaire's song "The Truth," the rapper speaks candidly about his personal life, upbringing, and the challenges he faces as a rapper. He reveals that his parents' religious beliefs conflicted, with his father being Muslim and his mother being Christian, and that he experienced hunger growing up because his family didn't have access to proper nutrition. He also shares that he was born with a difficult and antipathetic demeanor, which makes it hard for him to form connections with others.
Throughout the song, Chamillionaire emphasizes the importance of honesty and communication, even if it means telling the truth and risking the loss of support from his fans. He calls out those who switch sides and betray him and expresses his disinterest in living his life to please others. Instead, he emphasizes that he lives his life for his family and himself, and he's not interested in being who others want him to be.
Overall, "The Truth" is a personal and introspective song that gives listeners a glimpse into Chamillionaire's life and perspective on his artistry and career.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, My father was Muslim my momma's a Christian
My parents had different religious beliefs, which is not that unusual or surprising to me.
I couldn't even look surprised when they said they was splittin'
I wasn't shocked when my parents decided to separate.
Wasn't no bacon or grits in, off in the kitchen
My household did not have foods that are typically associated with American breakfast.
It was missin', plate was full of non-nutrition
We didn't always have access to nutritious food and meals were not always balanced.
I was born skinny the hunger was forced in me
I was naturally thin, but my circumstances and lack of access to nutritious food made me constantly feel hungry.
To get angry at my lifestyle, no smile wasn't born friendly
Growing up in challenging circumstances, it was hard for me to feel happy or friendly all the time.
Born with a thorn in me, I'm scorned so I'm pourin' Remi
I have always had a chip on my shoulder and struggled with feeling resentful, so I sometimes turn to drinking to cope.
I'm thinkin' that's boys feel me, but boys is avoidin' me
I believe that other people who have gone through similar experiences as me can relate to my struggle, but they may be distancing themselves from me for other reasons.
Oh, got to excuse me for givin' you the truth
I am sorry if my honesty makes you uncomfortable.
And being the type to give proof that you givin' an excuse
I am the type of person who provides evidence when I am explaining something or justifying my actions.
You gotta excuse me for gettin' in the booth, and keepin' it real about life while you livin' in the poof...
Sorry if my raw and honest approach to music makes you uncomfortable or highlights the differences between our realities.
fantasy, damnit he, isn't as big a man as me
People who create or perpetuate a false image of themselves are not as admirable or genuine as I am.
If I tell him the truth he need to hear then he gettin' mad at me
Some people react negatively or defensively when they are confronted with the truth, and I may receive backlash for speaking up.
The truth could hit ya as hard as assault & battery,
Hearing the truth can be painful and feel like a physical attack.
and make people that used to run with me switch up and challenge me
Sharing the truth can cause former allies or supporters to turn against me and oppose me.
But ain't we family? y'all forgettin' what y'all were
Despite any differences or falling outs, we should remember that we were once united and can choose to come together again.
Forget what ya boy heard, 'cause this is 'bout more words
Do not believe everything you hear or rumors about me, judge me based on my actions and words instead.
It's all 'bout communication but niggas ignore verbs
Communication is important, but people often overlook or misunderstand the meaning behind the words being said.
If ya boy shouted I'm hatin', then that got ya boy served
If someone accuses me of being a hater, it reflects more on them than on me and they are the ones who are truly missing out.
Don't deny it if you a man, so you should be man enough
Do not refuse to acknowledge the truth or your own mistakes, be confident and honest enough to own up to them.
I'm far from feminine we take pisses while standin' up
I am tough and masculine, as evidenced by the fact that as a man, I urinate in a standing position.
They smokin' on cannibus while they tell us they jammin' us
Some people who claim to enjoy my music may be high on cannabis or not fully engaged with the content.
Look a fan in the face and ask em' "Are you a true fan or what"?
I challenge people to consider whether they are genuinely interested in and supportive of my work or are simply jumping on the bandwagon for superficial reasons.
"Are you really a fan of us"? or are you type to switch
I question whether people are sincere and loyal in their support or whether they will switch to another artist or trend as soon as it becomes popular.
and get pissed and bootleg the disc 'cause I'm not, droppin' em' quick
Some people who claim to be fans may become angry and resort to illegally copying my work if I do not release new material quickly enough for their liking.
They love ya and then they diss, they hug ya and then they hiss
Some people who appear friendly and supportive can quickly turn against you or reveal their true feelings in a negative way.
They happy when you arrive and go right back to being pissed
People may enjoy my presence or my work temporarily, but soon return to being unsatisfied or unhappy once I am gone or the novelty wears off.
Honestly man, I don't really even give a damn
Honestly, I don't care as much as some people might expect or assume, I am relatively indifferent to certain opinions and criticisms.
Instead of being who you want me to be I be who I'am
Rather than trying to please everyone or conform to certain expectations or stereotypes, I prioritize being myself and true to my values.
I'm livin' life of my family and live life of Cham'
I focus on living for myself and my family and not worrying about external pressures or outside opinions.
I don't live life for my fans
While I appreciate my fans and value their support, I do not base my decisions or identity solely on what they think or want.
And don't, switch up my words just let me explain my thought
Please do not twist my words or misunderstand what I am trying to say, allow me to provide context and clarify my intentions.
I appreciate ya support, I appreciate if ya bought, my cd's with all ya heart but this music is just an art
I am grateful for the support and purchases of my music, but I also want to emphasize that music is ultimately a creative expression and artistic form, not just a commodity to be sold or consumed.
But it's not as precious as life in the middle is where I'm caught
While I take my music seriously and consider it a form of art, I am also aware that it is not the most important thing in life and that I face challenges and struggles like everyone else.
Lookin' out for my people, my motive is never evil
My goal and motivation is to help and support those around me, and I do not have any malicious or selfish intentions.
My motive was never see-through, my motive was always equal
I am transparent and honest about my intentions and motivations, and my ultimate goal is fairness and equality for all people.
Outsiders would lie and try to promote it they out (to) decieve you
People who are not part of our community or group may spread lies or misinformation to try and deceive and create divisions among us.
They give a notice to you, but don't give a notice to me too
These outsiders may communicate with some people or try to spread their message, but they may not be honest or open with everyone and may not include me in their discussions or intentions.
Ya, that's somethin' I call divide and conquer
This tactic of pitting people against each other and creating divisions is known as 'divide and conquer'.
They try to get inside the monster to divide the monster
These outsiders may try to infiltrate our community or group to create further divisions and conflict from within.
So they can become the monster, then they'll try to stomp ya
If these outsiders succeed in creating divisions and control, they may turn on us and become the dominant force, using their power to crush our independence or individuality.
Inside the circle of friends is where you'll find imposters
Even among close friends or allies, there may be people who do not have our best interests at heart and may secretly be working against us or betraying us.
To hell with y'all niggas
I am declaring my frustration and anger with certain people or groups who have caused me trouble or betrayed me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, JOSEPH L. KIRKLAND, TALIB KWELI GREENE, TROY DONALD JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Hoy
Always speaks the Truth
SEAN Greene
Don't listen to that many new school cats, but this boy is reeaaaaaaaaaaaaal.
GI Nicholas
yep yep yep
Jesse James
2023 in the building
Quikster220
hell na........ just listen... a Jay-Z beat... very easy to recognize
callum kelly
Who's beat is this? What's the original song?
Shamar Mcbride
@callum kelly ... Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes Missing You Is The Original Song... Then Jay -Z feat. Scarface and Beanie Sigel This Can't Be Life.. Then Chamillioaire Sample From How Jay Z Had It... Also Lil Romeo Sample It To Missing You..
ccmeatx4life
Of course it's someone else's beat..it's a mixtape lmao
callum kelly
Who's beat is this? What's the original song?
Lydia you
It’s called this can’t be life by Kanye, jay-z and beanie Siegel