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 Is Back
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hear a lot of music, but it's boring
You hear a lot of flows, but don't enjoy 'em
You hear a lot of albums, and you snoring
But the truth is back, now they say where you been
Cause we ain't really seen you out performing
You back up in the streets, you hot you're boiling
You know that OG Ron see, gon screw it for them
[Chamillionaire]
A lot of DJ's, didn't wanna mess with the kid
But like dancers that love to strip, they back up on my dick
And of course, maybe it's because of the fact that I'm rich
And the diamonds up on my wrist, look like a package of piss
Looked like they pissed, in a ice cube tray
Put it in the freezer, so by the next day
They could put it on my wrist, so that I could display
Yellow ice looks like butter, but it isn't parquet
Hey, well let me tell you how I did it then
Stepped up the mixtapes, and put 'em in every city man
Send 'em Greyhound, in every other city and
Wallet the size of Guerilla Black's, or Biggie's hand (baby-baby)
And I got plenty mo' to do dog, that's true y'all
Chamillitary is the click, if that's what you thought
Yellow green red white blue, and my new jaw
Check out the paint, same colors cover my new car
When it come to getting fed, I'm the baker with the bread
Know exactly what they said, voices ain't just in my head
Get back up in the streets, so the rumors can be dead
Cause I'm the rapper that they dread, like Lil' Wayne's head
Bumba claat watch, now watch me I'm the one to watch
One with a lot of colored cubes, and a bunch of blocks
And the watch, and them girls that be coming out
The closet with a friend, meet her I just wanna watch
Chamillion-ator's on the way, that's who saving the day
After the math I bust a rhyme, rapping after you pay
Niggaz say they songs jamming, yeah that's just what they say
Like Part 2 of that Kelly song, they end up being gay
But it ain't Weezy, it ain't even B.G
Because how much I push the cash money, they don't believe me
Turn on the DVD, and the c.d
Don't watch me, homeboy watch T.V
Head rest, 7.5 Clarion
You ain't trying to see me shine, you could carry on
Haters hate, and that's the reason that I carry one
Make a home run and run home, like Barry Bonds
Yeah, I got 'em shook in a towel
Ron Artest of rap ha-ha, look at me now
Single handedly, handle the suckers up in the crowd
Fist to your lip you'll get whipped, while they kicking me out
Ouch, cause that looked like it hurt
And the worst part about it, is it looks like the dirt
Getting acquainted with your shirt, become one with the turf
As I watch you fall down, and tell you just what you worth
You no good, dirty rotten scoundrel
I pull these hoes, like promoters out of town do
I get mail, like workers in the color brown do
Chamillion you're the best, can't nobody out sound you
Chad Hugo to Pharrell, I'm the star on the track
Look at my diamonds, and see how many broads they attract
And it's true in the studio, they on my balls and my sack
Say it's a hit, before Chamillionaire even start on a track
I pull up in slow motion, like my car on a flat
Trunk going up, like directions that you saw on a map
I wear the multi-colors now, but that's part of the fact
That I stay throwing up the rocks, like the Carter was back
It's the Roc, psyche nigga it's not
But it's prolly a rock sized bullet, up in it's pop
Sorry mayne I forgot, to put the heater on lock
But didn't forget the underground, lock it up for my spot
I'm back, and I'm too hot
[Hook]
You hear a lot of music, but it's boring
You hear a lot of flows, but don't enjoy 'em
You hear a lot of albums, and you snoring
But the truth is back, now they say where you been
Cause we ain't really seen you out performing
You back up in the streets, you hot you're boiling
Chamillitary click, is the click they wanting
You know that OG Ron see, gon screw it for them
In Chamillionaire's song The Truth Is Back!!!, he addresses the fact that a lot of music lacks creativity and originality. He also talks about how some DJs didn't want to collaborate with him, but they are now back on his side, maybe because of his success or the diamonds on his wrist. He mentions his mixtapes and how he sent them to different cities using Greyhound, which helped him to expand his audience. Chamillionaire brags about his wealth, including his new car, and how his music is unique and unmatched by other rappers. He even throws shade at Lil' Wayne by saying he is the rapper they dread like Lil' Wayne's head. In the end, he talks about his popularity and how he has been missed, and his friend OG Ron See is going to play his music.
This song was released in 2010, after Chamillionaire took a break from releasing music. It is a part of his mixtape series, Mixtape Messiah.
Line by Line Meaning
You hear a lot of music, but it's boring
There is a lot of music out there, but most of it is not interesting or enjoyable.
You hear a lot of flows, but don't enjoy 'em
There are many different styles of rapping, but most of them are not enjoyable to listen to.
You hear a lot of albums, and you snoring
Many albums are being released, but they are not keeping the listener engaged or entertained.
But the truth is back, now they say where you been
Chamillionaire is back with new music that people are excited about, and they are curious as to where he has been.
Cause we ain't really seen you out performing
People have not seen Chamillionaire doing much lately, so his return is surprising and exciting.
You back up in the streets, you hot you're boiling
Chamillionaire is back on the scene and gaining popularity very quickly.
Chamillitary click, is the click they wanting
Fans want to hear from Chamillitary, his crew of rappers, because they produce high-quality music.
You know that OG Ron see, gon screw it for them
OG Ron C, a famous DJ, will make sure that Chamillionaire and his crew receive plenty of exposure and spins on radio stations and in clubs.
A lot of DJ's, didn't wanna mess with the kid
At one point, many DJs did not want to play Chamillionaire's music.
But like dancers that love to strip, they back up on my dick
Now that Chamillionaire's music is popular, DJs are eager to play it and associate themselves with his success.
And of course, maybe it's because of the fact that I'm rich
Chamillionaire acknowledges that his wealth may be a factor in his music's increased popularity, as it may make him seem more desirable to others.
And the diamonds up on my wrist, look like a package of piss
Chamillionaire is using a metaphor to describe the color of diamonds on his wrist as something that resembles urine but is actually a valuable material.
Stepped up the mixtapes, and put 'em in every city man
Chamillionaire increased the number of mixtapes he released and distributed them all over the country to gain more recognition and fans.
Send 'em Greyhound, in every other city and
Chamillionaire used the Greyhound bus transportation service to deliver his music to fans in various cities across the US.
Wallet the size of Guerilla Black's, or Biggie's hand (baby-baby)
Chamillionaire has made a lot of money and carries a large wallet that is comparable to those of other famous rappers.
Chamillitary is the click, if that's what you thought
Chamillitary is Chamillionaire's rap crew and produces music that is highly regarded and sought after by fans.
Yellow green red white blue, and my new jaw
Chamillionaire has a new set of teeth with various colors that correspond to the flag of Jamaica.
When it come to getting fed, I'm the baker with the bread
Chamillionaire is successful and has a lot of money, which he compares to a baker who always has plenty of bread.
Know exactly what they said, voices ain't just in my head
Chamillionaire is confident in his abilities and his success and knows that he hears real voices of fans who appreciate his music and support him.
Cause I'm the rapper that they dread, like Lil' Wayne's head
Chamillionaire is a respected rapper that other artists might avoid competing with because of his skill, much like Lil' Wayne's trademark dreadlocks.
Chamillion-ator's on the way, that's who saving the day
Chamillionaire is calling himself the Chamillion-ator, a superhero-like figure who will save the day with his music and success.
After the math I bust a rhyme, rapping after you pay
Chamillionaire is dedicated to his craft and will continue to produce music even after he has achieved financial success and fame.
Niggaz say they songs jamming, yeah that's just what they say
Chamillionaire is skeptical of other rappers who claim their music jams and knows that it might not be true.
But it ain't Weezy, it ain't even B.G
Chamillionaire is comparing himself to other famous rappers like Lil' Wayne and B.G. and knows that his style and success is unique to him.
Because how much I push the cash money, they don't believe me
Chamillionaire is a fan of the rap group Cash Money Millionaires and is explaining that he promotes their music but people do not believe that he truly likes it.
Don't watch me, homeboy watch T.V
Chamillionaire is telling listeners not to look at him or be distracted by his success, but instead to focus on other things like television.
You ain't trying to see me shine, you could carry on
Chamillionaire knows that some people might not like his success or enjoy his music, but encourages them to carry on and not worry about him.
Haters hate, and that's the reason that I carry one
Chamillionaire acknowledges the presence of haters and admits that he carries a gun to protect himself from them.
Make a home run and run home, like Barry Bonds
Chamillionaire is comparing his success to that of a baseball player who hits a homerun and runs home successfully.
Yeah, I got 'em shook in a towel
Chamillionaire has his competitors feeling intimidated or inferior because of his success.
Ron Artest of rap ha-ha, look at me now
Chamillionaire is comparing himself to the NBA player Ron Artest who also had a unique and sometimes controversial public image.
Fist to your lip you'll get whipped, while they kicking me out
Chamillionaire is saying that his competitors will get physically hurt while he gets kicked out of clubs or other venues (presumably for being too popular).
As I watch you fall down, and tell you just what you worth
Chamillionaire takes pleasure in watching his competitors fail and will make sure they know exactly how much they are worth to him.
You no good, dirty rotten scoundrel
Chamillionaire is using name-calling to describe his competitors and show his disapproval or dislike of them.
I pull these hoes, like promoters out of town do
Chamillionaire is successful with women and has compared himself to out-of-town promoters who successfully attract fans and artists to their events.
I get mail, like workers in the color brown do
Chamillionaire is successful and influential like postal workers who deliver mail in their trucks painted brown.
Chamillion you're the best, can't nobody out sound you
Chamillionaire has confidence in his abilities and success and knows that nobody will outdo him in producing high-quality music.
Chad Hugo to Pharrell, I'm the star on the track
Chamillionaire is comparing himself to famous music producers Chad Hugo and Pharrell, suggesting that he is the star performer on his tracks.
Look at my diamonds, and see how many broads they attract
Chamillionaire is bragging about his wealth and success, suggesting that his diamonds demonstrate his ability to attract women.
And it's true in the studio, they on my balls and my sack
Chamillionaire is popular and respected by other artists and producers in the studio who respect his talent and appreciate working with him.
Say it's a hit, before Chamillionaire even start on a track
Chamillionaire is so successful that other artists know that anything he produces will be popular and successful, even before he starts working on it.
I wear the multi-colors now, but that's part of the fact
Chamillionaire has newer, multi-colored diamonds and jewelry now to show off his wealth and success.
That I stay throwing up the rocks, like the Carter was back
Chamillionaire is referencing rapper Lil Wayne and his use of the Roc symbol to show his own success, much like Wayne did with his own symbol.
It's prolly a rock sized bullet, up in it's pop
Chamillionaire is making a play on words, likening the Roc symbol to a rock, and suggesting that it's so powerful that it could stop a bullet.
Sorry mayne I forgot, to put the heater on lock
Chamillionaire apologizes for not locking his gun up earlier and being more prepared to fight off danger.
But didn't forget the underground, lock it up for my spot
Chamillionaire is still invested in producing high-quality underground rap music and wants to make sure that his work space is safe and secure.
You know that OG Ron see, gon screw it for them
Chamillionaire has a strong relationship with famous DJ OG Ron C, who will always support him and promote his music to fans.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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