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
truth
Chamillionaire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah...
Chamillionaire..Mixtape Messiah baby
Always want to know something bout me man
want to know somethin bout me?
Don't judge me..don't judge me by my music
And don't judge me bout what you heard about me either
Chamillionaire..listen
Ay, My father was Muslim my momma's a Christian
I couldn't even look surprised when they said they was splittin'
Wasn't no bacon or grits in, off in the kitchen
It was missin', plate was full of non-nutrition
I was born skinny the hunger was forced in me
To get angry at my lifestyle, no smile wasn't born friendly
Born with a thorn in me, I'm scorned so I'm pourin' Remi
I'm thinkin' that's boys feel me, but boys is avoidin' me
Oh, got to excuse me for givin' you the truth
And being the type to give proof that you givin' an excuse
You gotta excuse me for gettin' in the booth,
and keepin' it real about life while you livin' in the poof...
fantasy, damnit he, isn't as big a man as me
If I tell him the truth he need to hear then he gettin' mad at me
The truth could hit ya as hard as assault & battery,
and make people that used to run with me switch up and challenge me
But ain't we family? y'all forgettin' what y'all were
Forget what ya boy heard, 'cause this is 'bout more words
It's all 'bout communication but niggas ignore verbs
If ya boy shouted I'm hatin', then that got ya boy served
Don't deny it if you a man, so you should be man enough
I'm far from feminine we take pisses while standin' up They smokin' on cannibus while they tell us they jammin' us
Look a fan in the face and ask em' "Are you a true fan or what"?
"Are you really a fan of us"? or are you type to switch
and get pissed and bootleg the disc 'cause I'm not, droppin' em' quick
They love ya and then they diss, they hug ya and then they hiss
They happy when you arrive and go right back to being pissed
Honestly man, I don't really even give a damn
Instead of being who you want me to be I be who I'am
I'm livin' life of my family and live life of Cham'
I don't live life for my fans
And don't, switch up my words just let me explain my thought
I appreciate ya support, I appreciate if ya bought,
my cd's with all ya heart but this music is just an art
But it's not as precious as life in the middle is where I'm caught
Lookin' out for my people, my motive is never evil
My motive was never see-through, my motive was always equal
Outsiders would lie and try to promote it they out (to) decieve you
They give a notice to you, but don't give a notice to me too
Ya, that's somethin' I call divide and conquer
They try to get inside the monster to divide the monster
So they can become the monster, then they'll try to stomp ya
Inside the circle of friends is where you'll find imposters
To hell with y'all niggas
(Chamillionaire Talks about all the controversy and clears all the rumors)
{Song Ends after Talking}
The Chamillionaire song "Truth," from his Mixtape Messiah album, delves into the personal experiences and struggles the artist has faced throughout his life. Chamillionaire starts off by revealing that he comes from a family with mixed religious backgrounds, with a father who was Muslim and a Christian mother. The artist then goes on to talk about his childhood, where he was raised on a diet of non-nutritious foods and born with a natural hunger for a better life, which led him to be angry about his lifestyle.
Chamillionaire's personal struggles are evident in the lyrics. He talks about being scorned and pouring Remi and how the truth can hit hard and make those who used to run with him challenge him. He also discusses the importance of honesty and communication, expressing the need for fans to be true fans and not switch up on him when things don't go their way. The song also addresses rumors and controversy surrounding the artist and how he deals with them.
The lyrics of "Truth" reflect Chamillionaire's authenticity as an artist, delving into the personal struggles he has faced throughout his life. It shows how he has overcome adversity and continues to stay true to himself despite it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, My father was Muslim my momma's a Christian
My mother is a Christian while my father practices Islam.
I couldn't even look surprised when they said they was splittin'
When my parents announced their separation, it wasn't surprising to me at all.
Wasn't no bacon or grits in, off in the kitchen
There was no bacon or grits in our kitchen, as we did not consume them for religious reasons.
It was missin', plate was full of non-nutrition
Our meals lacked proper nutrition which impact my growth, and fitness.
I was born skinny the hunger was forced in me
As a child, I was skinny and undernourished due to the lack of healthy food in my household.
To get angry at my lifestyle, no smile wasn't born friendly
Because of my circumstances, I grew up with a disposition that was slightly unapproachable.
Born with a thorn in me, I'm scorned so I'm pourin' Remi
I was born with an inherent displeasure with my experience, so I cope with pain by drinking Rémy Martin cognac.
I'm thinkin' that's boys feel me, but boys is avoidin' me
I can sense that some individuals do not want to associate with me.
Oh, got to excuse me for givin' you the truth
Please forgive me for being honest with you.
And being the type to give proof that you givin' an excuse
I am the kind of person who backs up the statements I make with evidence instead of just making excuses.
You gotta excuse me for gettin' in the booth,
Pardon me for taking to the recording booth,
and keepin' it real about life while you livin' in the poof...
...and speaking my truth about life when you choose to live in a facade.
The truth could hit ya as hard as assault & battery,
The truth can be painful and shock you just like getting hit physically.
and make people that used to run with me switch up and challenge me
People who used to be close to me may turn on me and assert themselves in opposition.
But ain't we family? y'all forgettin' what y'all were
But aren't we supposed to be like family? Have you all forgotten where we have come from?
Forget what ya boy heard, 'cause this is 'bout more words
Disregard rumours that you may have heard since my message is much more than just gossip.
It's all 'bout communication but niggas ignore verbs
Communication is the key, but people fail to comprehend the importance of words.
If ya boy shouted I'm hatin', then that got ya boy served
If someone claims that I am hating, then that should be a reflection of their own personal issues.
I'm far from feminine we take pisses while standin' up
I am assertive in my masculinity since I pee standing up unlike women who squat.
They smokin' on cannibus while they tell us they jammin' us
People may smoke marijuana while pretending to be huge fans of our music.
Look a fan in the face and ask em' "Are you a true fan or what"?
I challenge fans to ask themselves whether they are truly supportive of us or not.
"Are you really a fan of us"? or are you type to switch
Are you genuinely a fan of our music, or do you flip-flop when it suits you?
and get pissed and bootleg the disc 'cause I'm not, droppin' em' quick
And do you become angry and pirate my music if I do not release something soon enough for your liking?
They love ya and then they diss, they hug ya and then they hiss
People may seem to love, but then they quickly turn around and reject you. They may even act hostile after showing affection.
They happy when you arrive and go right back to being pissed
People will treat you kindly in person or when you release something new, but then revert to being upset afterward.
Honestly man, I don't really even give a damn
To be honest, I do not care at all.
Instead of being who you want me to be I be who I'am
Rather than trying to satisfy everyone by being who they want me to be, I will stay true to myself.
I'm livin' life of my family and live life of Cham'
I live two lives- one as a family man and one as a celebrity, Chamillionaire.
I don't live life for my fans
My life is not ruled by my fans, and I live for myself and my family.
And don't, switch up my words just let me explain my thought
I request that people do not twist my words and instead allow me to clarify my intended meaning.
I appreciate ya support, I appreciate if ya bought,
I thank all the supporters and the buyers for their encouragement.
my cd's with all ya heart but this music is just an art
I appreciate all the love given to my music albums, but ultimately, the music is merely a form of art.
But it's not as precious as life in the middle is where I'm caught
As much as I appreciate the love for my music, I recognize that real-life is far more valuable, and I find myself caught in the middle of trying to balance both.
Lookin' out for my people, my motive is never evil
I always have my people's best interests at heart, and my intentions are always honorable.
My motive was never see-through, my motive was always equal
My intentions were never hidden, and my motive to treat everyone equally was always transparent.
Outsiders would lie and try to promote it they out (to) deceive you
People who do not know me well and those who speak without proper knowledge may try to manipulate or deceive you about my character.
They give a notice to you, but don't give a notice to me too
They may notify you of their intentions, but they may leave me out, so I do not know what is happening.
Ya, that's somethin' I call divide and conquer
This is what I identify as divide and conquer technique.
They try to get inside the monster to divide the monster
The 'monster' refers to me. People try to get close to me, only to divide me eventually.
So they can become the monster, then they'll try to stomp ya
The individuals may try to become what they envy about me, and then they will try to bring me down.
Inside the circle of friends is where you'll find imposters
It's hard to tell an imposter from a true friend inside one's circle of friends.
To hell with y'all niggas
I have no regard for anyone who is not genuine, supportive, or truthful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, JOSEPH L. KIRKLAND, TALIB KWELI GREENE, TROY DONALD JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Hoy
Always speaks the Truth
SEAN Greene
Don't listen to that many new school cats, but this boy is reeaaaaaaaaaaaaal.
GI Nicholas
yep yep yep
Jesse James
2023 in the building
Quikster220
hell na........ just listen... a Jay-Z beat... very easy to recognize
callum kelly
Who's beat is this? What's the original song?
Shamar Mcbride
@callum kelly ... Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes Missing You Is The Original Song... Then Jay -Z feat. Scarface and Beanie Sigel This Can't Be Life.. Then Chamillioaire Sample From How Jay Z Had It... Also Lil Romeo Sample It To Missing You..
ccmeatx4life
Of course it's someone else's beat..it's a mixtape lmao
callum kelly
Who's beat is this? What's the original song?
Lydia you
It’s called this can’t be life by Kanye, jay-z and beanie Siegel