Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award … Read Full Bio ↴Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award nominated rapper, member of The Color Changin' Click and founder of Chamillitary Entertainment. Better known as Chamillionaire, he also uses nicknames such as The Mixtape Messiah, King Koopa, Color Changin' Lizard, Chamillinator, Chamillitary Mayne, Major Payne and The Truth From Texas. He began rapping in 1998, releasing mixtapes and a collab album with fellow Houston rapper Paul Wall. He released his debut album, The Sound of Revenge, in 2005, and his sophmore release, Ultimate Victory, in 2007. He plans to release his yet untitled third album at the end of 2009 or early 2010.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------
(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
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.
-------------------------------------------------------
(C) Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Chamillionaire's Myspace
What Would U Do
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Paul Wall)
My life, ain't all peaches and cream
This fame thing and this game bring, more pain than it seem
I ain't trying to be depressed, and I'm greatful for my blessing
But sometimes it just feels like, there's some'ing missing
I got all the answers, but ain't no questions
I wonder if God's, just trying to teach me a lesson
The situations progressing, it's getting stressing
I hope I don't fail my test and, the heat is on
They say that pressure, busts pipes
So I keep my cool, and thank God for every breath of my life
I'm taking steps to the right, but still I end up wrong
I'm built for the ocean, but I'm stuck in this backyard pond
I'm trying to maintain my pace, in the place I belong
I'm going for the gold, but I keep getting bronze
Who do I call to for advice, when all my mentors gone
This is my life, this ain't just the words to my song what do I do
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
(Paul Wall)
This one here's for Broderick Brown, locked down
A 45 year sentence, I don't like how that sound
We've been homies since Middle School, we were childhood chums
But you got caught up, by life in the slums
I'm thinking bout, where your life went
45 years of your life spent, with a aggravated robbery indictment
You plead guilty, for a lesser charge
Even though the judge was harsh, God's still in charge
I be wishing that, I could go back in time
And tell the judge that that nine, and the strack was mine
That would be fine, but I guess it's too late for that
I know that court appointed lawyer, was whack
Ain't it ironic though, you went in Ferguson you end up in the Penn
And the only way that we communicate, is through a pen
Don't give up, just do what you do
Live your life don't let your life live you, just keep on moving
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
(Paul Wall)
People think, my life is all about raps and such
If I'm suppose to have it good, why is my life so rough
I'm walking straight, but sometimes I need to lean on a crutch
Nobody told me life would get this tough, you gotta feel me though
Cause I ain't trying to be sad
I thank God for everything I got, and all the blessings I had
I work hard I still grind, all night in the lab
The best friends I ever had, was a pen and a pad
Cause people talking down, hating on me
Yeah we use to be down, but now you shady homie
I see 'em all up on the Internet, debating on me
Wondering when will I flop, I know they waiting on me
A lot of rappers is jealous, saying all that we rap about is swangas
Mad cause they c.d.'s, below the shelf like hangers
Should I retaliate the hate, and pay 'em back ten fold
They got me running hot, but I'm standing out in the cold what do I do
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
My life, ain't all peaches and cream
This fame thing and this game bring, more pain than it seem
I ain't trying to be depressed, and I'm greatful for my blessing
But sometimes it just feels like, there's some'ing missing
I got all the answers, but ain't no questions
I wonder if God's, just trying to teach me a lesson
The situations progressing, it's getting stressing
They say that pressure, busts pipes
So I keep my cool, and thank God for every breath of my life
I'm taking steps to the right, but still I end up wrong
I'm built for the ocean, but I'm stuck in this backyard pond
I'm trying to maintain my pace, in the place I belong
I'm going for the gold, but I keep getting bronze
Who do I call to for advice, when all my mentors gone
This is my life, this ain't just the words to my song what do I do
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
(Paul Wall)
This one here's for Broderick Brown, locked down
A 45 year sentence, I don't like how that sound
We've been homies since Middle School, we were childhood chums
But you got caught up, by life in the slums
I'm thinking bout, where your life went
45 years of your life spent, with a aggravated robbery indictment
You plead guilty, for a lesser charge
Even though the judge was harsh, God's still in charge
I be wishing that, I could go back in time
And tell the judge that that nine, and the strack was mine
That would be fine, but I guess it's too late for that
I know that court appointed lawyer, was whack
Ain't it ironic though, you went in Ferguson you end up in the Penn
And the only way that we communicate, is through a pen
Don't give up, just do what you do
Live your life don't let your life live you, just keep on moving
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
(Paul Wall)
People think, my life is all about raps and such
If I'm suppose to have it good, why is my life so rough
I'm walking straight, but sometimes I need to lean on a crutch
Nobody told me life would get this tough, you gotta feel me though
Cause I ain't trying to be sad
I thank God for everything I got, and all the blessings I had
I work hard I still grind, all night in the lab
The best friends I ever had, was a pen and a pad
Cause people talking down, hating on me
Yeah we use to be down, but now you shady homie
I see 'em all up on the Internet, debating on me
Wondering when will I flop, I know they waiting on me
A lot of rappers is jealous, saying all that we rap about is swangas
Mad cause they c.d.'s, below the shelf like hangers
Should I retaliate the hate, and pay 'em back ten fold
They got me running hot, but I'm standing out in the cold what do I do
(Hook: Monetana)
What do you do, when them haters after you
Keep it real and keep it true, get that dirt up off of you
Still swang and bang Screw, Swishahouse like what it do
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
The song "What Would U Do" by Chamillionaire and Paul Wall is a introspective track that delves into the struggles of being famous and success while still dealing with personal problems in life. Paul Wall talks about how even though he's grateful for his success, he still feels like something is missing. He mentions the pressure and stresses of fame and how he's trying to maintain his pace despite constantly feeling like he's not doing enough. He also talks about his friend Broderick Brown who was sentenced to 45 years for aggravated robbery and how he wishes he could have done something to change the outcome.
The chorus, sung by Monetana, advises listeners to keep it real and true, persevering through the hate and keeping their head held up high despite the difficulties they may be facing. The song encourages the listener to take control of their own life and not let their life control them.
Overall, "What Would U Do" is a reflective song that offers an insight into the struggles and pressures of fame and how it can affect a person's personal life. It reminds the listener to stay true to themselves and to keep pushing forward despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
My life, ain't all peaches and cream
My life is not always easy and trouble-free.
This fame thing and this game bring, more pain than it seem
Being famous and in the music industry brings more pain and challenges than people may realize.
I got all the answers, but ain't no questions
I have the solutions, but I don't have a problem to fix with them.
I wonder if God's, just trying to teach me a lesson
I am questioning if God is giving me trying times to help me learn something.
Don't let them see the sweat on you, just keep it real
Don't show your weaknesses or struggles, just be honest and true to yourself.
Ain't it ironic though, you went in Ferguson you end up in the Penn
It is a coincidence that you were arrested in one place and ended up in prison in another.
Nobody told me life would get this tough, you gotta feel me though
I didn't anticipate how hard life can be, but you have to understand my struggles.
I see 'em all up on the Internet, debating on me
I notice people online discussing and criticizing me.
Should I retaliate the hate, and pay 'em back ten fold
Should I respond and attack those who are hating on me, and do it even worse?
They got me running hot, but I'm standing out in the cold
They are making me angry and causing trouble, but I am alone and suffering.
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@yvonnerene1055
Still banging 2022 and forever onwards.
@415balla
this song is slept on. real talk
@davidneumann2705
Still bumping this in 2017
@dalilalolatx1359
Live your life
Don't let your life live you
Just keep on movin
💯💖
@Shabla7
Oh the memories with this album
@matthewmayer6514
I love this song
@chirag1617
STILL BUMPING IT 15 OCTOBER 2022 ......
@415balla
best song on the album!!!
@alanjohnson3279
I wonder if Paul would have stay writing like this if he still had chamillionaire helping him
@brianvetrano6817
Underrated Paul Wall track.