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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(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
Top Down Money Up
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a bird, it's not a plane
It's one of them little Batman symbol things
Except it's got a lizard in it
Chamillitary, let's get it, ye-yeah!
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Gotta stay on the grind homie, gotta stay on the grind homie (for real)
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Gotta stay on the grind (grind), gotta go and get mine homie
I move from lobby to lobby and the shottie ridin beside me
I bet that shottie go lollipop if you tryin to rob me
No, that's probably a hottie, she tuggin on me like a dolly
Black Magic on my tires, while she Mr. Miyagi the body - wax on, wax off
I'm a player, don't play so play up above me
All this vegetation I'm makin, I bet ya say that you're hungry
Jenny Craig for my bread, my wallet lookin so pudgy
Got that cake, got that cream, the fat one say that she love me
I'ma put the city on my back, I mean put it right back on my back
And it still say R.I.P. to that Pimp C on back of that 'Llac
And I keep these broads goin crazy, talk so much smack on my tracks
Because I'm a mack/Mac like your laptop so tell 'em that on iChat
Uh, you should mind your bidness here, you should mind your bidness dear
All this money I'ma get this year, that mean your money gon' disappear
Ain't no women strippin here, ain't no women strippin here?
Wait till they see my whip appear, that's what I call whip appeal
It's the Barack O-baller, I know she tryna holler
Roll her number on a dollar but I really just want the dollar
I hope it's not your daughter, cause I'm probably not gon' call her
Universal Republic, yeah I'm the shot that's in your revolver
Yeah I'm reloading homie, the pistol holder's on me
And you know I'm talkin to you know who cause you know you're phoney
It's lonely at the top but I like ridin solo
Shake off complainers and tell 'em that you won't be rollin no mo'
Some want some in the ruler and his first statement said "You suck"
Musical chairs, see the chopper, gon' beat a goose, you duck
Texas used to be screwed up but you ain't us, you can't fool us
Got a problem with Koopa? When, where, how, who, what?
He said he hate my confidence and how I wreck the beat
Talkin down in front of me, I hope you got some special teeth
I got my hand on the trigger, the fakeness about rest in peace
Actin just like my publicist, I think I'm bout to press release
The mover, you the shaker, I'm the realest, you the faker
Chamillinators, fact then I'm back to rebuking haters
I promise I pull the baddest broad in stew to bake her
I'm true to paper and pretty ones always glued to paper
Nah I ain't got to love her, Texas I got ya covered
They tryna be all on the D so I'm bout to pull out the rubbers
Got a ghetto chick that I know that'll sock a soccer mother
And after that probably go to her house and sock her mother
I showed the underground how to attract the dollars bills
But I got some haters in the city that want me to keep it real
Sayin that the kid went commercial to get a deal
You a clown, need to go do commercials for happy meals
They ain't heard my voice in a minute so the ladies say they been gettin restless
Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Killeen, Austin and Tyler Texas
Like Biggie said "Rub on your breasts", remove your clothes, you don't need your dresses
A lotta people say they the best but their words are not impressive
Lames know that I burn money, I'ma show you how to melt a stack
First I'ma go hit the bank, then hit Harlem Nights after that
They know I've been on the grind in every city that's on the map
Looked down at the welcome mat and noticed it said "Welcome back"
Ho, all this applause for me? I appreciate it, thank you, thank you
I don't need no birthday cake though, I got enough cake
I'm on you boy, yeah, you know what it is, Koopa
In “Top Down Money Up” by Chamillionaire, the artist emphasizes the importance of working hard and staying focused on one’s goals in the face of adversity. The lyrics describe a luxurious lifestyle with high-end cars, money, and women, but underneath the surface, there is a constant struggle to maintain this lifestyle. Chamillionaire acknowledges the risks that come with flaunting wealth, rapping about the shotgun riding beside him in the car, ready to defend against anyone attempting to rob him.
As the song progresses, the rapper becomes increasingly confident, taking aim at his detractors and doubters. He declares that he will put his city on his back and rise to the top of the music industry. The lyrics also include several references to other rappers, including Biggie Smalls and Pimp C, as well as to Texas, where Chamillionaire is from.
Overall, “Top Down Money Up” is a song about the struggle to make it in the music industry and the determination required to succeed. The artist highlights the challenges he has faced, but also the rewards of his hard work and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Top down, money up, gotta stay on the grind (grind)
Keeping the convertible car roof down, making money, and continuously working hard
Gotta stay on the grind homie, gotta stay on the grind homie (for real)
Need to continue working hard and staying focused, no slacking off
Gotta stay on the grind (grind), gotta go and get mine homie
Must keep working hard and pursue personal success and wealth
I move from lobby to lobby and the shottie ridin beside me
Traveling from one location to another with a shotgun for protection
I bet that shottie go lollipop if you tryin to rob me
The shotgun will quickly dispense with any potential robbers
No, that's probably a hottie, she tuggin on me like a dolly
Actually, it's likely an attractive woman who is clinging to me like a doll
Black Magic on my tires, while she Mr. Miyagi the body - wax on, wax off
My tires are enhanced with special features, while the woman massages my body like Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid
I'm a player, don't play so play up above me
I am a skilled flirt who doesn't entertain those who aren't on my level
All this vegetation I'm makin, I bet ya say that you're hungry
The wealth I'm amassing can cause envy and make others feel inadequate
Jenny Craig for my bread, my wallet lookin so pudgy
I have so much money that my wallet appears bulky, like someone on a Jenny Craig diet
Got that cake, got that cream, the fat one say that she love me
I have lots of money and luxuries, even overweight women are attracted to me
I'ma put the city on my back, I mean put it right back on my back
I will represent and support my city, carrying its weight and promoting it
And it still say R.I.P. to that Pimp C on back of that 'Llac
I continue to pay tribute to the deceased rapper Pimp C on the back of my Cadillac
And I keep these broads goin crazy, talk so much smack on my tracks
I have a big influence on women, they become obsessed and talk negatively about me on my songs
Because I'm a mack/Mac like your laptop so tell 'em that on iChat
I'm highly skilled with women, just like the Mac laptop, so let them know that on iChat
Uh, you should mind your bidness here, you should mind your bidness dear
You better mind your own business in this situation, you better mind your own business, my dear
Ain't no women strippin here, ain't no women strippin here?
There are no women undressing or engaging in exotic dancing here, are there?
Wait till they see my whip appear, that's what I call whip appeal
Just wait until they see my luxurious car, that's what I consider having great car appeal
It's the Barack O-baller, I know she tryna holler
I'm the equivalent of a successful and influential person like Barack Obama, and I know she's trying to get my attention
Roll her number on a dollar but I really just want the dollar
She gave me her phone number, but I'm only interested in the money she offered
Universal Republic, yeah I'm the shot that's in your revolver
Representing the Universal Republic record label, I'm the talent that makes their success possible
Yeah I'm reloading homie, the pistol holder's on me
I'm preparing for a fresh start, my gun is ready and by my side
And you know I'm talkin to you know who cause you know you're phoney
You know I'm addressing you, the person who is fake and dishonest
It's lonely at the top but I like ridin solo
Being at the top can be isolating, but I prefer being independent
Shake off complainers and tell 'em that you won't be rollin no mo'
Ignore the people who complain and make it clear that you won't associate with them anymore
Some want some in the ruler and his first statement said 'You suck'
Some individuals want a prominent figure like me to acknowledge them, but their initial comment is disrespectful
Musical chairs, see the chopper, gon' beat a goose, you duck
In this situation, people are constantly changing alliances, the helicopter is approaching, and you better protect yourself
Texas used to be screwed up but you ain't us, you can't fool us
Texas had its troubles in the past, but you can't deceive us, you don't belong here
Got a problem with Koopa? When, where, how, who, what?
Do you have an issue with me? Let's address it head-on, tell me the details
He said he hate my confidence and how I wreck the beat
Someone expressed their dislike toward my self-assuredness and how I excel in music
Talkin down in front of me, I hope you got some special teeth
Speaking negatively about me while in my presence, be prepared to face the consequences
I got my hand on the trigger, the fakeness about rest in peace
I'm ready to act aggressively against fake individuals, they can rest in peace
Actin just like my publicist, I think I'm bout to press release
Behaving like my publicist, I'm on the verge of revealing information or making an announcement
The mover, you the shaker, I'm the realest, you the faker
I'm the one making significant moves, you're just trying to gain attention, I'm genuine but you're fake
Chamillinators, fact then I'm back to rebuking haters
My loyal supporters, it's a fact, and now I'm back to confronting and criticizing my detractors
I promise I pull the baddest broad in stew to bake her
I guarantee that I attract the most attractive women and indulge in luxurious activities with them
I'm true to paper and pretty ones always glued to paper
I remain committed to accumulating wealth, and beautiful women are constantly drawn to wealth
Nah I ain't got to love her, Texas I got ya covered
No, I don't need to love her, Texas, I have your back and support
They tryna be all on the D so I'm bout to pull out the rubbers
They are all trying to be associated with me, so I'm going to protect myself from potential unwanted consequences
Got a ghetto chick that I know that'll sock a soccer mother
I have a girl from the ghetto who I know will physically assault an overprotective mother
And after that probably go to her house and sock her mother
And afterward, I might even go to her house and physically confront her mother
I showed the underground how to attract the dollars bills
I demonstrated to the underground music industry how to make significant money
But I got some haters in the city that want me to keep it real
However, I have critics in the city who want me to stay true to my roots
Sayin that the kid went commercial to get a deal
Claiming that I sold out and compromised my artistic integrity to secure a record deal
You a clown, need to go do commercials for happy meals
You're a joke, you should consider doing advertisements for children's fast-food meals
They ain't heard my voice in a minute so the ladies say they been gettin restless
It's been a while since they heard my music, and as a result, the women are feeling anxious and eager for new material
Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Killeen, Austin and Tyler Texas
Referring to various cities in Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Killeen, Austin, and Tyler
Like Biggie said 'Rub on your breasts', remove your clothes, you don't need your dresses
Quoting lyrics from The Notorious B.I.G., encouraging women to engage in physical intimacy and shed their garments
A lotta people say they the best but their words are not impressive
Many individuals claim to be the greatest, but their boasts aren't convincing or remarkable
Lames know that I burn money, I'ma show you how to melt a stack
Inferior individuals know that I spend money extravagantly, and I'm going to demonstrate how to further increase wealth
First I'ma go hit the bank, then hit Harlem Nights after that
Initially, I'm going to visit the bank to handle financial matters, then I'll proceed to spend time at Harlem Nights, a popular establishment
They know I've been on the grind in every city that's on the map
People are aware that I have been working hard and pursuing success in every significant city
Looked down at the welcome mat and noticed it said 'Welcome back'
I glanced at the welcome mat and realized it was specifically designed to welcome me back
Ho, all this applause for me? I appreciate it, thank you, thank you
Wow, all these people cheering for me? I genuinely appreciate the support, thank you, thank you
I don't need no birthday cake though, I got enough cake
I don't require any birthday cake because I already have an abundance of wealth and success
I'm on you boy, yeah, you know what it is, Koopa
I'm focused on you, boy, you already know who it is, it's Koopa referring to Chamillionaire
Contributed by Liliana S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrAmarTL
he hit this beat twice, killed it both times
@emokidsaregay1
How could there be 950 veiws over 3 years and n0-one even gave him props? AND FIRST COMMENT? KOOPA!!
@nchander0
A mainstream comeback seems unlikely for him but I'm glad kept around with his tapes.
@Eduardo-po7jb
gotta stay on the grind
@jaytrick1
they aint heard ma voice in a minute , so the ladies say they been gettin restless dallas, fort worth,san atonio,collen,austin,texas .like biggie said rub on the breastes remove there clothes,they dont need the dresses. sick venomous ,rhyming ,skills. chamilitary manz