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 I'm Crazy
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to know who you are but you seem very nice
So will you talk to me?
Should I tell you a story? Should I tell you a treat?
They think I'm crazy, They don't understand how I feel
See, it started off as just a simple conversation I gave her
The name of my record company, (Oh your a sanger)
(Oh you that guy they talking bout when they be whisperin, ain't cha
Bring your name up when they talking and say money will change ya
I heard a lot about how you can't deal with your anger
Heard the rumors how your always in trouble or danger
Not gotta judge you if it's true, there's no need to explain sir
You do have a right to be, you seem like your nice to me
And like your gonna buy me another drink, yeah would you like a seat?)
I tell the boy the same hennessey on ice for me
Her drink starts emptying as she's pouring out her life to me
Telling me about her goals and how successful she would like to be
And invite me to a session of her life and she
Seems so damn innocent but something isn't right to me
She pulls out her picture phone "I got pictures, would you like to see?"
I'm thinking she gotta be friendly as hell
Giving a soul to me, it's like an identity sell
We never met is the story that my memory tells
Telling me tales like she doesn't handle hennessey well
Getting into it, getting intimate and into details
See, I just met you and you showing me your kids
"Who said I had any kids? I didn't bring up no kids"
Then who's in this picture, "Man, let you show you just who it is"
[Chorus]
Umm, I don't remember her name but she look like an angel
She wasn't from here, I knew she didn't hang a
Round a part of the hood but hey the story gets stranger
Cause this stranger was stranger than I could explain you see
She said she wasn't married but the rings on her finger
Told me she was langin and using the same uhh
Game I use on women so I couldn't even blame her
Spitting the game I spit to 'em when I'm trying to bang her
(I bump into this dime, he told me that he used to know you
He told me about the loyalty and love he used to show you
He said what he said with a passion like it was so true
Wouldn't take advantage of the fact that the listeners didn't really know you)
There's pictures in my pocketbook, almost got it, I'll show you
She digs in her purse and while she fumbles around
I find that photo, I'm like "Oh no there's some trouble in town"
I turn around as these two officers is coming in now
They walk in real suspicious and come and sit down
So close, I can see they barrels of the guns to the ground
So close that they can listen to either of us now
We turn back around and she says no need for whispering
Then she tells me that (I don't really give a damn whose listening
Try to make it last a long time was my mission
And he kept on tripping and then I got pissed at him
Hit 'em with my fist and my punches were never missing him)
[Chorus]
Okay, let's get this straight, your man cheated on you and now
You talking to a perfect stranger like it's making you proud
And the rest of this conversation she just telling me how
It wasn't her boyfriend in the pic but a familiar smile
She said (pictures can be deceiving like she knew he was foul
Look closer, you'll see a coward who uses a smile's power
Fleeing the smoke strength, couldn't stand it another hour
So she did what she did then she went to go take a shower)
Damn what do you mean? ( couldn't tell you that I missin him)
I don't understand what your saying, how did you get rid of him?
She dissing him, as I ask her what it is she did to him
She stops, Ay keep talkin I'm listening
(I don't wanna tell about the images I'm picturing)
Henny spilling then she tell me (For real and
I got the feeling of what I'm feeling is that I wanted to kill him)
Something's wrong here and I know just who is the villian
The poison's getting louder, the moral is getting clearer
The officers is looking at us and I can tell they can hear her
Told me (It was protection, Reached for it in the stash)
The plastic is what she grabbed and she put it right on his ass
Bust it before the blast, she thought she was free at least
Baby I think you crazy, Sorry I'm pressing for time
I gotta go grind, time's putting to resting
Now I'm sweating and stressing, this girl's got me guessing
That this conversation is two types of evil confession
And she pulls a clearer picture, It's my damn ex-best friend
How you know him? She told me she was with him at his house
Watching movies on Sundays when they be chilling
And that's exactly the day that the hospital came to get him
The feeling was the worst feeling that she could possibly be feeling
Stood up and then I yelled out "Why in the hell did you kill him?"
I didn't kill him, I have AIDS, he had sex with 'em and that's crazy
The song “Think I’m Crazy” by Chamillionaire tells the story of a man who meets a woman in a bar and engages in a conversation with her. The woman slowly unfolds her troubled past of a cheating boyfriend and reveals that she did something she shouldn’t have that led to his death. As the song progresses, the man realizes that she might be referring to murder, and the woman eventually confesses that she has contracted AIDS and the boyfriend died from the disease. The song’s chorus provides insight into the man's mindset as he tries to understand the woman's plight and why she did what she did. The lyrics convey feelings of confusion, shock, and disbelief as the man tries to process the woman’s story.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to know who you are but you seem very nice
I am curious about your true identity, although you appear pleasant on the surface.
So will you talk to me?
Are you willing to engage in conversation with me?
Should I tell you a story? Should I tell you a treat?
Should I share an anecdote or something enjoyable with you?
They think I'm crazy, They don't understand how I feel
Others perceive me as insane because they fail to comprehend my emotions.
See, it started off as just a simple conversation I gave her
Initially, it was an ordinary exchange of words that I initiated with her.
The name of my record company, (Oh your a sanger)
I mentioned the name of my music label, and she responded with surprise.
I said my name's Chamillionaire and I'm a rap entertainer
I introduced myself as Chamillionaire, a performer in the rap genre.
(Oh you that guy they talking bout when they be whisperin, ain't cha
She recognized me as the subject of hushed conversations and rumors.
Bring your name up when they talking and say money will change ya
People mention your name during discussions, suggesting that wealth has altered you.
I heard a lot about how you can't deal with your anger
I've come across numerous rumors about your inability to manage your temper.
Heard the rumors how your always in trouble or danger
I've been informed of the speculations that you frequently find yourself in problematic or risky situations.
Not gotta judge you if it's true, there's no need to explain sir
I don't have to pass judgment if these rumors are accurate, and you need not provide an explanation.
You do have a right to be, you seem like you're nice to me
You are entitled to your feelings, and from my perspective, you appear kind.
And like your gonna buy me another drink, yeah would you like a seat?)
It seems as though you will generously offer to purchase another beverage for me. Would you also like a place to sit?
I tell the boy the same hennessey on ice for me
I inform the bartender to prepare the same Hennessey drink for me.
Her drink starts emptying as she's pouring out her life to me
As she shares intimate details about her existence, her glass of alcohol gradually gets depleted.
Telling me about her goals and how successful she would like to be
She expresses her ambitions and aspirations for a prosperous future.
And invite me to a session of her life and she
She extends an invitation for me to partake in a chapter of her life.
Seems so damn innocent but something isn't right to me
Despite her outward appearance of purity, I sense that there are underlying issues.
She pulls out her picture phone 'I got pictures, would you like to see?'
She retrieves her mobile phone and offers to show me some photographs.
I'm thinking she gotta be friendly as hell
I assume that she must be exceptionally kind and sociable.
Giving a soul to me, it's like an identity sell
Sharing personal experiences with me, almost as if she's exchanging her true self.
We never met is the story that my memory tells
According to my recollection, we have never crossed paths before.
Telling me tales like she doesn't handle hennessey well
Narrating stories about her inability to handle Hennessey alcohol effectively.
Getting into it, getting intimate and into details
We start engaging in intimate conversation, delving into specific particulars.
See, I just met you and you showing me your kids
It's astonishing that, having just met, she is already displaying pictures of her children to me.
"Who said I had any kids? I didn't bring up no kids"
Confused, she denies having any children and claims that the topic was never broached.
Then who's in this picture, "Man, let you show you just who it is"
Puzzled, I inquire about the figure captured in the photograph, urging her to reveal their identity.
Umm, I don't remember her name but she look like an angel
Although I cannot recall her name, she possesses an angelic appearance.
She wasn't from here, I knew she didn't hang a
It was evident that she wasn't a local resident.
Round a part of the hood but hey the story gets stranger
She didn't associate with the neighborhood, which adds an element of peculiarity to the narrative.
Cause this stranger was stranger than I could explain you see
This unfamiliar person exceeded my ability to elucidate their strangeness.
She said she wasn't married but the rings on her finger
Despite claiming to be unmarried, she wore rings on her finger.
Told me she was langin and using the same uhh
She confessed to engaging in prostitution and employing the same tactics
Game I use on women so I couldn't even blame her
She admitted to employing the same seductive techniques that I utilize with women, making it difficult to fault her
Spitting the game I spit to 'em when I'm trying to bang her
Repeating the lines I typically use to charm women when I desire intimate relations
(I bump into this dime, he told me that he used to know you
I coincidentally encountered an attractive woman, and she informed me that she used to be acquainted with you.
He told me about the loyalty and love he used to show you
According to her acquaintance, he displayed unwavering devotion and affection towards her in the past.
He said what he said with a passion like it was so true
He spoke with intense conviction, believing that his words were undeniably accurate.
Wouldn't take advantage of the fact that the listeners didn't really know you)
He didn't exploit the fact that the audience was unfamiliar with your backstory.
There's pictures in my pocketbook, almost got it, I'll show you
She mentions having images in her purse and almost retrieves them to exhibit.
She digs in her purse and while she fumbles around
She rummages through her bag clumsily, trying to locate something.
I find that photo, I'm like "Oh no there's some trouble in town"
Upon discovering the photo, I realize that a problematic situation is unfolding.
I turn around as these two officers is coming in now
I swiftly pivot my attention to the entrance, noticing two police officers approaching.
They walk in real suspicious and come and sit down
The officers enter the establishment with an air of suspicion before taking a seat nearby.
So close, I can see they barrels of the guns to the ground
The proximity is such that I can clearly perceive the barrels of their guns directed towards the floor.
So close that they can listen to either of us now
Their closeness enables them to eavesdrop on our conversation.
We turn back around and she says no need for whispering
Upon facing each other again, she asserts that whispering is unnecessary.
Then she tells me that (I don't really give a damn whose listening
She declares that she doesn't care who may be overhearing our exchange.
Try to make it last a long time was my mission
Her goal was to prolong this interaction as much as possible.
And he kept on tripping and then I got pissed at him
Her anger intensified due to his persistent arguments, causing her frustration.
Hit 'em with my fist and my punches were never missing him)
She resorted to physically assaulting him, landing her punches accurately and relentlessly.
Okay, let's get this straight, your man cheated on you and now
Let's clarify the situation: your partner was unfaithful, and as a result
You talking to a perfect stranger like it's making you proud
You are openly discussing your personal matters with a complete stranger and seemingly deriving pleasure from it.
And the rest of this conversation she just telling me how
Throughout the remainder of our discussion, she continues to recount
It wasn't her boyfriend in the pic but a familiar smile
The person captured in the photograph was not her boyfriend, but a familiar face.
She said (pictures can be deceiving like she knew he was foul
Acknowledging the potential for photos to be misleading, as if she was aware of his deceitful nature.
Look closer, you'll see a coward who uses a smile's power
If you scrutinize it closely, you will recognize a spineless individual who manipulates the influence of a smile.
Fleeing the smoke strength, couldn't stand it another hour
Unable to bear the overwhelming negativity any longer, she sought to escape the situation.
So she did what she did then she went to go take a shower)
In response, she took certain actions and proceeded to clean herself.
Damn what do you mean? ( couldn't tell you that I missin him)
Wait, what are you implying? She confesses that she still has feelings for him.
I don't understand what your saying, how did you get rid of him?
I am perplexed by your statement—how exactly did you eliminate him from your life?
She dissing him, as I ask her what it is she did to him
She speaks ill of him while I inquire about the actions she took against him.
She stops, Ay keep talkin I'm listening
She abruptly halts, but encourages me to continue speaking as she attentively listens.
(I don't wanna tell about the images I'm picturing)
She hesitates to divulge the thoughts and mental images she is experiencing.
Henny spilling then she tell me (For real and
Her emotions intensify, causing her to spill her Henny drink, and she continues speaking
I got the feeling of what I'm feeling is that I wanted to kill him)
She admits to having a strong desire to harm or murder him.
Something's wrong here and I know just who is the villian
There is clearly a problem here, and I am aware of who the antagonist is.
The poison's getting louder, the moral is getting clearer
The toxicity of the situation is becoming more apparent, and the lesson is becoming clearer.
The officers is looking at us and I can tell they can hear her
The police officers are observing us, and it is evident that they can hear her words.
Told me (It was protection, Reached for it in the stash)
She discloses that it was an act of self-defense and proceeds to retrieve something from her hidden stash.
The plastic is what she grabbed and she put it right on his ass
She grabbed a piece of plastic and placed it directly on his rear end.
Bust it before the blast, she thought she was free at least
She detonated it before the explosion, believing that she would gain her freedom in some way.
Baby I think you crazy, Sorry I'm pressing for time
My dear, I believe you are insane. I apologize, but I am in a hurry.
I gotta go grind, time's putting to resting
I need to continue working hard, as time is racing onward and urging me to seize opportunities.
Now I'm sweating and stressing, this girl's got me guessing
Currently, I am perspiring and experiencing anxiety due to this girl's enigmatic nature.
That this conversation is two types of evil confession
I have come to realize that this conversation entails two forms of sinister confession.
And she pulls a clearer picture, It's my damn ex-best friend
She presents a more distinct image, revealing that the person in the photograph is my former closest friend.
How you know him? She told me she was with him at his house
I inquire about her connection to him, and she discloses that she was at his residence.
Watching movies on Sundays when they be chilling
They would spend leisurely Sundays together, watching movies and relaxing.
And that's exactly the day that the hospital came to get him
Ironically, it was on one of these Sundays when he was taken to the hospital.
The feeling was the worst feeling that she could possibly be feeling
The anguish she experienced was indescribable, causing her immense distress.
Stood up and then I yelled out "Why in the hell did you kill him?"
I rose from my seat and exclaimed loudly, demanding an explanation for the act of killing him.
I didn't kill him, I have AIDS, he had sex with 'em and that's crazy
She denies being responsible for his death, revealing that she has AIDS and he had sexual relations with individuals other than her, which is astonishing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SARAH BETTENS, GERT BETTENS, NSILO REDDICK, NICHOLAS SHERWOOD, HAKEEM SERIKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind