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
Won
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I love how you love to love me baby
I ride for my home and state
Where we be riding vogues and swangs
And cups be overflowed with drank no
We don't care what people say
My city been through so much pain
Music slow but I'm such a speeder
Tried to exit the feeder
Spotted me like a cheetah
Looked in the car then he asked me if I'm a dealer
Keep a tool and some screw so I told him I'm Bob Vila
Young Tela feeling like Derek Jeter
I'll show your girl how I swing it
As soon as I get to meet her
Hate on me from the rear
While they playing follow the leader
All these Caucasian diamonds
I must've caught jungle fever
First they love it and then they hate it
Welcome to Texas
Where flip-flopping is overrate
Musta not got the memo
Say the happy you made it
But they really full of hot air
Like the skinnies I just inflated
Hard to say R I P
After timelessness get created
You'd think that we'd live forever
With music that's never dated
We gone treat every day
Like it's UGK's birthday
When Bun say he's happy you made it
Just tell him happy belated
I ride for my home and state
Where we be riding vogues and swangs
And cups be overflowed with drank no
We don't care what people say
My city been through so much pain
They love me and I sure won't change won't change
Yeah it's just foolishness that you hear
Some that'll never get it
Will tell you that it's their year
Some will say that you're finished
The minute you disappear
But if diamonds could tell the future
My future looks crystal clear
Can't get too comfortable
When you no longer living petty
Ordered the chicken over the Alfredo with spaghetti
She's in the mirror for an hour
Say she's getting ready
That's 59 minutes that I could've been getting fetti
Uh let's get back in the mix
You can dream about sleeping
While you out stacking your chips
Stunting on em with all this candy immaculateness
They walking in houses
That isn't worth more than half of your wrist
She said yes
But do you think that you can run long as you did with Paul
Do photoshop make models think that they got a flaw
Funny how most be talking like they did it all
And what's ironic is I can't see anything they did at all
I ride for my home and state (Ride for my city mayne)
Where we be riding vogues and swangs (Ride for my city mayne)
And cups be overflowed with drank no
We don't care what people say (Ride for my city mayne)
My city been through so much pain (Ride for my city mayne)
They love me and I sure won't change (Yeah you know me)
Won't change (I won't change)
She said that you've been gone for too long
You know ya so crazy (Crazy)
You know I love how you love to love me baby (Yeah)
Now I'm a drop the top she gone bop
She's saying That's so amazing (Amazing)
I'm on them spokes I just hope this ain't your lady
Now I'm a put it down
Put it down for Texas and that H-Town (And that H-Town)
Say they so proud (Say they so proud)
Ooh they love how I hold on this grain (Ooh whoh)
Crawling super slow on these swangs
With the candy coats on my paint
And the city know I won't change
Hold up mayne
I ride for my home and state
Where we be riding vogues and swangs
And cups be overflowed with drank no
We don't care what people say
My city been through so much pain
They love me and I sure won't change
Won't change (I won't change)
There's no rain there are no cloudy days
When you rolling on swangs (Yeah)
They all know I won't change
I won't change
I ride for my city mayne
You know I ride for my city all day
I ride for my city mayne
And you know I won't change
Hold up
They tried to knock us but we never froze up (Yeah)
You in the presence of players who react like grown ups
Hold up if I woulda known they would try to own us
I would went out and purchased stock in styrofoam cups
Hold up
In Chamillionaire's song "Won," he pays tribute to his hometown and state of Texas. The opening lines refer to living in downtown Houston and the love he receives from his fans. The chorus emphasizes his loyalty to his city, as he rides for his home and state, ignoring what others may say about it. He mentions the pain the city has gone through, most likely referring to the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The mood then shifts as he brags about his wealth and success, acknowledging that some people may hate on him. He ends by reminding us that he won't change and will always ride for his city.
Line by Line Meaning
Downtown living in that H-Town
I love living downtown in Houston, Texas.
You know I love how you love to love me baby
I love how my fans love me.
I ride for my home and state
I will always support Texas.
Where we be riding vogues and swangs
We drive low riders and other cool cars around town.
And cups be overflowed with drank no
We drink a lot of alcohol, especially in our cars.
We don't care what people say
We do things our own way and don't care about what others think.
My city been through so much pain
Houston has had a lot of tough times.
They love me and I sure won't change won't change
My fans love me for who I am, and I won't change who I am.
Music slow but I'm such a speeder
My music may be slow, but I live life fast.
Tried to exit the feeder
I tried to exit the highway.
Spotted me like a cheetah
The police noticed me quickly.
Looked in the car then he asked me if I'm a dealer
The cop thought I was a drug dealer.
Keep a tool and some screw so I told him I'm Bob Vila
I had some tools in my car and told the cop I was a handyman.
Young Tela feeling like Derek Jeter
I feel like a successful baseball player.
I'll show your girl how I swing it
I'll show your girlfriend a good time.
As soon as I get to meet her
As soon as I get a chance to meet her, I'll show her a good time.
Hate on me from the rear
People criticize me from behind my back.
While they playing follow the leader
People follow the trends instead of making their own path.
All these Caucasian diamonds
My jewelry has many clear diamonds.
I must've caught jungle fever
I really like my jewelry and am addicted to buying more.
First they love it and then they hate it
People are fickle and can quickly change their opinions.
Welcome to Texas
This is how things are done in Texas.
Where flip-flopping is overrate
Changing your mind is seen as a bad thing.
Musta not got the memo
Obviously you aren't aware of the local culture.
Say the happy you made it
People pretend to be happy for your success.
But they really full of hot air
They don't really care about your success and are just trying to look good.
Like the skinnies I just inflated
Like the balloons I just pumped up with air.
Hard to say R I P
It's tough to say goodbye.
After timelessness get created
After I pass on, my legacy will be left behind.
You'd think that we'd live forever
You'd think that our music could last forever.
With music that's never dated
Our music is timeless.
We gone treat every day
We will celebrate every day like it's special.
Like it's UGK's birthday
Like it's the birthday of the hip-hop group UGK.
When Bun say he's happy you made it
When Bun B says he is happy for my success, you know you've really made it.
Just tell him happy belated
Just let him know that you are still celebrating his happiness and achievements, even though it's past his birthday.
Yeah it's just foolishness that you hear
There's a lot of nonsense being talked about.
Some that'll never get it
Some people will never understand what it's like to be successful.
Will tell you that it's their year
Some people will insist that it's their turn to succeed.
Some will say that you're finished
Some people will say you're no longer successful, even if it's not true.
The minute you disappear
As soon as you're no longer popular, people will stop caring about you.
But if diamonds could tell the future
If my jewelry could predict things about my life.
My future looks crystal clear
I'm confident in my future success.
Can't get too comfortable
I can't let my success make me too comfortable or complacent.
When you no longer living petty
When you're living the good life, you can't afford to be petty or cling to small things.
Ordered the chicken over the Alfredo with spaghetti
I ordered some good food.
She's in the mirror for an hour
My girlfriend is taking an hour to get ready.
Say she's getting ready
She's telling me she's getting ready.
That's 59 minutes that I could've been getting fetti
That's almost an hour that I could have been earning more money.
Uh let's get back in the mix
Let's get back to being productive.
You can dream about sleeping
You can spend time being lazy and dreaming.
While you out stacking your chips
While I'm busy making money and being successful.
Stunting on em with all this candy immaculateness
I'm showing off my expensive and perfect jewelry.
They walking in houses
Other people are living in nice houses.
That isn't worth more than half of your wrist
But their houses aren't even worth as much as my jewelry.
She said yes
My girlfriend said yes to me earlier.
But do you think that you can run long as you did with Paul
But can you be successful without your original partner, Paul Wall?
Do photoshop make models think that they got a flaw
Does altering photos make people think they are flawed?
Funny how most be talking like they did it all
It's interesting how some people talk like they did everything themselves.
And what's ironic is I can't see anything they did at all
But I don't see them actually doing anything.
There's no rain there are no cloudy days
Everything is going well.
When you rolling on swangs
When you're driving a car with swangas.
They all know I won't change
Everyone knows I won't become a different person.
Hold up mayne
Wait a minute.
They tried to knock us but we never froze up
People have tried to bring us down, but we kept going.
You in the presence of players who react like grown ups
We're grown men who know how to handle things professionally.
Hold up if I woulda known they would try to own us
If I had known that others would try to control us.
I would went out and purchased stock in styrofoam cups
I would have invested in the disposable cups we use for drinking.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dennis Scott
This is keeping me motivated throughout 2021. Pure 💯🔥🔥
Noel R.
Been keeping me motivated since when I first heard it in 200/08 💯💯
Derrick Garner
This is motivational music. If you know you one to get up early in the morning to go get it, this song right here will put you in the mindset
Amon Douglas
Show right I miss jamming real music
Denise Blackwell
2020 still going to be banging..
M_J Bo
Damn right! The year has been shit in ways. This track boost the motivation to not give up and keep trucking
lemonde estfou
I' m from Paris and i think this is one of the best song rap ever created in the special. The FLOWWW IS HERE. SOUTH SIDE' s flow is so SPECIALL !!! big up for PIMP and TEXAS
swelly84
🙌🙏✊
Osman A Noor
Now that’s love!!!
dolores arme
TX HUSTLIN ERR DAY ERR THING BIGGER IN TEXAS HUSTLE REAL BIG!