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
Think About It
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you ain't never spent tonight with me then try it
Cause she can't be too fast with too much speed and mileage
The ugly one always talking like she the hottest
But we ain't never tripping we b g's about it
I'm getting knowledge just like I got b's in college
You know she almost fainted when she seen my closet
So she ain't bring a friend then she should think about it
(Verse 1:)
Hold up
Got so many cars see em soon as I walk out a dow
Whole bunch of colors and my view like a calatascope
Women in the kitchen making grits and cutting antachokes
Plus they watching movies I ain't with that parry tyler tho
Baby girl your face is cute I don't know bout that body tho
I would love to stay n chat but money talks I gotta show
Gotta few that creo but they don't be jammin zotico
They be jammin that koopa and say that boy z-ro gotta flow
Shout out to my hoes in dallas got some girls in funky town
Dropped that major pain they say that pain what they be bumping now
They used to jam them other boys, them other boys be suckin now
I ain't even gonna tell em what this girl is sucking nooow
Bust it out then I'm gon bust it in
I can't stand when she tryna she can't because her friend
Don't be a follower just swallow up this cup of gin
And you know where to meet me ring the bell n I'm gon buzz ya in
(Chorus)
(Verse 2:)
Say she ain't a groupie but say she want an autograph
I just want some knowledge just point me to where your college at
Got some andre n 3000 it's like I was part of kast
If you get too drunk then get a driver and go call a cab
Knew that she was wasted she askin me to buy the tabs
Saw another bad one but her man had saw I spotted dat
Then she turned and looked at me and really that's what got em mad
He gon mess around n get beat up in need of body casts
When I'm gettin choose what they be expecting me to do
Met a bougie chick that's tellin me that she don't need a boo
Take a look at you then take a good look at my vehicle
What I'm driving make me feel like I should be conceited too
Got a army you know the chamillitary hold it down
Hit the after party call it work and call it overtime
You can't see how I be shining baby then ya know ya blind
Gotta attitude but get a pass because ya know your fine
(Chorus)
In Chamillionaire's song Think About It, he raps about his luxurious lifestyle and how he is careful when choosing his female companions. He claims that he is obtaining knowledge like he did when earning B's in college, and that women are drawn to his wealth, as evidenced by the girl who fainted upon seeing his closet. Chamillionaire also warns against being taken advantage of by women who are only seeking his money, and encourages women to take the time to get to know him instead of judging him based on his appearance or reputation. He also name-drops various rappers and gives shout-outs to his hometown of Houston.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that Chamillionaire is not afraid to be selective when it comes to his female companions, and that even if they are not "hot," he is not tripping because they are both "big G's" about it. He also suggests that if a girl wants to spend time with him, she needs to bring a friend along, presumably for the sake of safety or to make the experience more enjoyable.
Overall, the song showcases Chamillionaire's confidence and success as well as his caution when it comes to dealing with women who may be interested in him solely for his wealth or status.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ain't never spent tonight with me then try it
If we've never hung out before, you should give it a shot and see what it's like.
Cause she can't be too fast with too much speed and mileage
Don't worry about the girl I'm with; just because she moves quickly doesn't mean she's not worth my time.
The ugly one always talking like she the hottest
There's always someone who thinks they're better than everyone else even if they don't look the part.
But we ain't never tripping we b g's about it
We don't let it bother us; we're all good here.
I'm getting knowledge just like I got b's in college
I'm gaining wisdom and insights like when I got B's in college.
You know she almost fainted when she seen my closet
When she saw my closet, she was so impressed that she almost passed out.
And if you just like me you give her d deposit
If you're like me, you give her a deposit to show that you're serious about her.
So she ain't bring a friend then she should think about it
If she didn't bring any friends along, she should consider bringing a friend next time.
Got so many cars see em soon as I walk out a dow
I have so many cars that you can see them as soon as I leave the building.
Whole bunch of colors and my view like a calatascope
There are many different colors in my view, like a kaleidoscope.
Women in the kitchen making grits and cutting antachokes
The women are cooking in the kitchen, making grits and cutting artichokes.
Plus they watching movies I ain't with that parry tyler tho
They're watching movies, but I'm not into the type of movies that Tyler Perry makes.
Baby girl your face is cute I don't know bout that body tho
I think your face is cute, but I'm not sure about the rest of your body.
I would love to stay n chat but money talks I gotta show
I would like to talk more, but I have to go make money.
Gotta few that creo but they don't be jammin zotico
I have some friends who are Creole, but they don't listen to Zydeco music.
They be jammin that koopa and say that boy z-ro gotta flow
They listen to Koopsta Knicca and think that Z-Ro has a good rapping style.
Shout out to my hoes in dallas got some girls in funky town
I want to give a shout out to my female friends in Dallas and those in Fort Worth.
Dropped that major pain they say that pain what they be bumping now
My latest album, Major Pain, is what people are currently enjoying and listening to.
They used to jam them other boys, them other boys be suckin now
My competition used to be popular, but they're not anymore and no one listens to them.
I ain't even gonna tell em what this girl is sucking nooow
I'm not going to brag about what this girl is doing right now.
Bust it out then
Show me what you've got.
I'm gon bust it in
I'm going to join in.
I can't stand when she tryna she can't because her friend
I don't like it when she tries to do something but can't because of her friend.
Don't be a follower just swallow up this cup of gin
Don't just follow others blindly, have a drink of this gin with me.
And you know where to meet me ring the bell n I'm gon buzz ya in
You know where I'll be, just ring the bell and I'll let you in.
Say she ain't a groupie but say she want an autograph
She says she's not a groupie, but she still wants my autograph.
I just want some knowledge just point me to where your college at
I'm not interested in anything romantic, just tell me where you go to college.
Got some andre n 3000 it's like I was part of kast
I have some music by Andre 3000, which makes me feel like I'm part of Outkast.
If you get too drunk then get a driver and go call a cab
If you drink too much, make sure you get a designated driver or call a cab.
Knew that she was wasted she askin me to buy the tabs
I knew she was drunk when she asked me to buy the tabs.
Saw another bad one but her man had saw I spotted dat
I saw another attractive woman, but her man had seen me looking at her.
Then she turned and looked at me and really that's what got em mad
Then she turned to look at me, and that's what really angered him.
He gon mess around n get beat up in need of body casts
He's going to get himself hurt if he keeps getting angry.
When I'm gettin choose what they be expecting me to do
When someone picks me, they expect me to do something impressive or exciting.
Met a bougie chick that's tellin me that she don't need a boo
I met a girl who's acting high-class and claims she doesn't need a boyfriend.
Take a look at you then take a good look at my vehicle
After looking at her, take a look at my impressive car.
What I'm driving make me feel like I should be conceited too
My car is so nice, it makes me feel like I should be more arrogant.
Got a army you know the chamillitary hold it down
I have an army of supporters who have my back, and we're going to keep going strong.
Hit the after party call it work and call it overtime
Going to the after party is just as much work as it is fun.
You can't see how I be shining baby then ya know ya blind
I'm shining so bright that if you can't see it, then you must be blind.
Gotta attitude but get a pass because ya know your fine
You can get away with having an attitude because you're so attractive.
(Chorus)
Contributed by Adeline H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.