Friends since childhood, Paul and Chamillionaire broke into the music indus… Read Full Bio ↴Friends since childhood, Paul and Chamillionaire broke into the music industry by doing promotions for various southern hip-hop entities such as Cash Money Records under the group name "The Color Changin' Click", also known as "The CCC". Eventually, they got jobs doing promotions for Swishahouse. While there, they recorded a demo for Swishahouse that gained a lot of attention, and listners wanted to know who made it. Paul and Chamillionaire kept asking Swishahouse CEO Michael 5000 Watts to let them get a couple of verses on some mixtapes. However, they were constantly put to the side for other artists, and when they did get a chance to perform, they weren't getting paid well. Eventually, Paul and Chamillionaire decided to break out on their own and left Swishahouse.

The Color Changin' Click signed with Paid in Full Entertainment, a record label owned by the Madd Hatta, and released Get Ya Mind Correct in 2002. It was an instant hit in Houston, selling over 200,000 copies independently and getting nominated by the Source as one of the finalists for the indie album of the year in 2002.

However, disputes over money and artistic direction led to friction between Paul and Cham. They were set to release their second album, Controversy Sells, but the lingering issues led the group to split before the album saw the light of day. Controversy Sells did eventually get released in 2004. Paul decided to return to Swishahouse, while Cham started his own label, Chamillitary Entertainment. His younger brother Rasaq, Yung Ro, 50/50 Twin, and OG Ron C are signed to the label.

While Chamillionaire and Paul Wall have since ended any friction toward each other (after performing Ridin' on BET's 106 & Park, Chamillionaire confirmed that he and Paul Wall had settled all problems towards each other, citing that it had taken "so long" to get to where they were in their success), Chamillionaire has contemplated working with his estranged business partner again and even touring together.

Here I am
Paul Wall & Chamillionaire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You about to witness the strength in front of a bitch

Sony Music, Interscope, Universal Records and Def Jam
Let a nigga speak to the head man, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
Attention to all of my best friends, and bootleggers hell yes Cham
Crush anyone up against him, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
Even when he ain't got no weapon
Niggaz that's street they was wit' Cham

So give a nigga respect damn, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
Dirty-South (Here I Am), is ya wit me (Yes I Am)
Color Changin' Click clack, gimme the gat nigga (BAM!)

Where Mista Madd? (Here I Am), where the boy Yung Ro (Here I Am)
What up Paul, what up Rasaq and Lew Hawk, what up Twin
Big Cat (What up Cham?), they say that you think that you tough man
Get on the mic and say somethin, to the major labels (Fuck them!)
Haha, a wise man once said don't diss the majors 'cause you might need em'
But it's obvious by this intro a nigga like me didn't believe em'
Rudest, the way the labels percieve him, but I ain't - in this game to make friends
Make love to ya label or hold hands, so tell em' again (Fuck them!)
The difference between them and me is I AM A G
While you still tryin' to fix up your I M A G E
Fix up your image, ya click is a gimmick, ya pistols are rented
Ya click will diminish, 'cause this is ya finish, nigga admit
'cause every line you spit is invented, nigga I'm in it.
My zone, I'm hungry I won't turn down a meal
But don't shoot a deal at Chamill, and think that he won't turn down a mil'
Better get a whole 'lotta mics for this one, 'cause no magazine wants to piss him off
Because I gotta loud voice in the south and I promise, niggaz is listening
Koopa

Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas (Where else Cham?)
Mississippi, Georgia and Texas, I know ya wit me? (Yes I Am)
Color Changin' Click yep that's my fam
Paid in Full Records that's my fam
And anybody else I'm forgettin', Swishahouse (Here I Am)
Radio DJ's (Here I Am), and to all my fans (Here I Am)
Where that Northside (Here I Am)
Where that Southside (Here I Am)
DJ Screw Rest In Peace man
What will the south be without him?

Make em' respect us is my plan
The world ain't ready but here I Am

Overall Meaning

The song "Here I Am" by Paul Wall and Chamillionaire is primarily about the rappers asserting their strength, power, and influence in the rap game. They reference various record labels, friends, and areas to demonstrate their reach and support. The repeated chorus "Ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)" is a bold statement that shows the confidence and bravado of the two rappers. The lyrics also touch on the relationship between artists and major labels and how Chamillionaire is committed to staying true to himself, his music, and his fans.

Despite the hype surrounding the song, there is some controversy about its release. Chamillionaire has stated that he did not intend for the song to be released and that it was leaked without his consent. He also expressed his disappointment with Paul Wall for not respecting his wishes and releasing the song without his permission. Additionally, some fans have criticized the song for promoting violence and aggression.

Overall, "Here I Am" showcases the assertiveness, confidence, and pride that is often found in rap music. The song's catchy chorus and bold lyrics make it a fun and memorable track for fans of the genre.

Line by Line Meaning

You about to witness the strength in front of a bitch
Prepare to witness my strength in the face of a challenge.

Sony Music, Interscope, Universal Records and Def Jam
These are the major record labels that we are addressing in this song.

Let a nigga speak to the head man, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
Allow me to speak to the person in charge, if you are searching for me.

Attention to all of my best friends, and bootleggers hell yes Cham
I am acknowledging my loyal friends and even those who bootleg my music.

Crush anyone up against him, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
I have the power to defeat anyone who opposes me, if you are seeking me.

Even when he ain't got no weapon
I am strong even without resorting to violence.

Niggaz that's street they was wit' Cham
My supporters are from the streets.

So give a nigga respect damn, ya lookin' for me (Here I Am)
You should respect me if you are looking for me.

Dirty-South (Here I Am), is ya wit me (Yes I Am)
The southern part of the US, where my music is from, is where I stand. Are you supporting me?

Color Changin' Click clack, gimme the gat nigga (BAM!)
My crew, Color Changin' Click, is ready to fight for me.

Where Mista Madd? (Here I Am), where the boy Yung Ro (Here I Am)
I am calling out my fellow rappers and asking where they are.

What up Paul, what up Rasaq and Lew Hawk, what up Twin
I am greeting my friends Paul, Rasaq, Lew Hawk, and Twin.

Big Cat (What up Cham?), they say that you think that you tough man
Someone called Big Cat is questioning if I am truly tough.

Get on the mic and say somethin, to the major labels (Fuck them!)
I am urging my fellow rapper to rap against the major music labels.

Haha, a wise man once said don't diss the majors 'cause you might need em'
There is a saying that you should not disrespect the major labels because you may need them later on.

But it's obvious by this intro a nigga like me didn't believe em'
It is clear from this song that I do not believe in that saying.

Rudest, the way the labels percieve him, but I ain't - in this game to make friends
The music labels think of me as rude, but I am not here to make friends.

Make love to ya label or hold hands, so tell em' again (Fuck them!)
I am not going to cozy up to music labels or make deals with them. This is my message to them.

The difference between them and me is I AM A G
I am a genuine and authentic rapper, unlike the music labels who are only interested in making money.

While you still tryin' to fix up your I M A G E
The music labels are trying to create an image for themselves, while I am staying true to myself.

Fix up your image, ya click is a gimmick, ya pistols are rented
I am calling out other rappers for having fake images and fake weapons.

Ya click will diminish, 'cause this is ya finish, nigga admit
These fake rappers will fail in the end and they should admit it.

'cause every line you spit is invented, nigga I'm in it.
My lyrics are inspired by real life experiences, while other rappers just make stuff up.

My zone, I'm hungry I won't turn down a meal
I am hungry for success and I won't refuse a good opportunity.

But don't shoot a deal at Chamill, and think that he won't turn down a mil'
Don't offer me a deal that goes against my principles, because I will refuse it even if it means losing a million dollars.

Better get a whole 'lotta mics for this one, 'cause no magazine wants to piss him off
People should be prepared for my powerful performance. No magazine wants to provoke my anger.

Because I gotta loud voice in the south and I promise, niggaz is listening
My voice is being heard in the southern US and people are paying attention to my message.

Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas (Where else Cham?)
I am calling out the states in the southern US where my music is popular.

Mississippi, Georgia and Texas, I know ya wit me? (Yes I Am)
I am asking if people in Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas are supporting me, and I believe they are.

Color Changin' Click yep that's my fam
I am reaffirming that my crew, Color Changin' Click, is like family to me.

Paid in Full Records that's my fam
I am acknowledging another record label that I am part of, Paid in Full Records.

And anybody else I'm forgettin', Swishahouse (Here I Am)
I apologize if I have left anyone out, including Swishahouse, and I am still here for them.

Radio DJ's (Here I Am), and to all my fans (Here I Am)
I am acknowledging and grateful for the support of radio DJs and my fans.

Where that Northside (Here I Am)
I am asking where the people from the north side of town are.

Where that Southside (Here I Am)
I am asking where the people from the south side of town are.

DJ Screw Rest In Peace man
I am paying my respects to the late DJ Screw.

What will the south be without him?
DJ Screw was an important part of the southern music scene, and I wonder what it would be like without him.

Make em' respect us is my plan
My goal is to earn respect for southern rappers and our music.

The world ain't ready but here I Am
The world may not be ready for my message, but I am still delivering it.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY A SPANIOLA, GREGORY A POTTS, MELVIN JR. RILEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it