Misplaced Pages

Chamillionaire

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Excalibur9601 (talk | contribs) at 03:26, 11 November 2006 (→Singles). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 03:26, 11 November 2006 by Excalibur9601 (talk | contribs) (→Singles)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Chamillionaire
Musical artist

Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979, in Houston, Texas) is an American rapper from the Acres Homes section of Houston, Texas. He is best known by his stage name, Chamillionaire (pronounced Kha-mil-yen-air), but also uses nicknames such as The Mixtape Messiah, King Koopa, Color Changin' Lizard, The Truth From Texas. He has publicly stated that his aim is to prove that the South can produce quality lyricists. He is also a hook writer and usually sings and harmonizes with himself (using double-tracked vocals) on his own hooks. Chamillionaire is an original member of The Color Changin' Click, which houses rappers such as his brother Rasaq, 50/50 Twin, and Yung Ro.

Biography

After his parents, a Muslim father and a Christian mother, split in his early teens, Chamillionaire settled into a notoriously dangerous inner-city neighborhood in North Houston, which he elaborated upon during an interview with Houston's 104.9 KPTY on October 3. Rap and other forms of secular music, that 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 rhymes.

At a young age, Chamillionaire, along with fellow rapper 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 continue 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.

Solo career

2005-2006 Mixtape Messiah to The Sound of Revenge

After being dissatisfied with Swishahouse and Paid in Full due to monetary disputes, Chamillionaire began releasing his own mixtapes to ensure that all the money he earned went to him. After releasing Mixtape Messiah in 2004, Chamillionaire signed a deal with Universal Records in early 2005.

Chamillionaire's eighth major solo release, entitled The Sound of Revenge, was released through Chamillitary Entertainment and Universal Records in November 2005. The album's lead single was entitled "Turn It Up" featuring Lil' Flip and was produced by Scott Storch. The second single, released in March 2006, entitled "Ridin'" features Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & Play-N-Skillz, who produced the track, all make appearances in the video. Ridin' was so successful that it held the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks in a row and helped drive The Sound of Revenge to platinum success.

R&B singer and friend, Natalie announced in a recent MTV interview that Chamillionaire will be shooting a video for the track, "Think I'm Crazy." She'll cameo in whilst traveling back and forth in between breaks to shoot the video for her first single "What You Gonna Do" with rapper and friend Bun B. However, Chamillionaire has since replaced "Think I'm Crazy" with Grown And Sexy as the next single. If "Grown and Sexy" proves another success, "Think I'm Crazy" might be released as the 4th single. Also, while not an official single, the bonus track "Grind Time" was used as part of the NBA Live soundtrack.

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 (Big Boi/OutKast) that sets the tone for much of The Sound Of Revenge's diverse platform. "They understand me," Chamillionaire 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 album was recently certified platinum by the RIAA, and a chopped and screwed version, screwed by OG Ron C, was released in February 2006.

Chamillionaire has lately been getting calls from a slew of artists who want to work or tour with him. So far, he's worked with Joe, Young Buck and newcomer Jibbs ("King Kong") ,and is also featured on Ciara's new single, entitled Get Up, which is included on the soundtrack for Step Up plus he contributed on the official remix of Ain't No Other Man by Christina Aguilera. Chamillionaire also makes appearances on DJ Khaled's album with Slim Thug and Trina on a track called "Candy Paint", on Frankie J's upcoming single "That Girl" with Mannie Fresh, and most recently, on Trick Daddy's new single "Bet That". A rumored collaboration between Chamillionaire and 50 Cent has also been officially confirmed. SOHH recently caught up with Chamillionaire during "MTV Video Music Awards" press forum and the Houston bred emcee revealed that him and the G-Unit honcho have worked on some material. "I bumped into 50 in NY a couple of weeks ago, and he hollered at me and said he wanted to do some stuff, next day Sha Money hit me up and put me on some records," explained Cham. "I really don't like to say nothing until it gets cleared, and everything goes through cause I don't like to say I'm a be on something and then get pulled off." "So yeah, I'm definitely been messing around with them," Cham continued. " They been showing love, and I've been messin' with his DJ, DJ Whoo Kid and Lil' Scrappy, he just shot a video, he's with G-Unit now and he put me in the video, so it's a good look," he added.

Chamillionaire is still turning heads in the hip-hop industry after winning the VMA for Best Rap Video, beating out veterans such as T.I., Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, and fellow new artist Yung Joc. On September 6, 2006, the ringtone of his song Ridin' was the first to be certified triple platinum, making it the highest selling master ringtone ever . Despite these successes, he considers "Weird Al" Yankovic spoofing his "Ridin'" with "White & Nerdy" his Greatest honor.

Controversy

  • Chamillionaire is known to have issues with southern rapper Mike Jones, claiming that he is the reason Chamillionaire left Swishahouse, and going as far as devoting an entire disc of his 3-CD mixtape Mixtape Messiah to rapping about Jones, whom he calls "Dike Jones". He accused Mike of slander, and as a result the first CD is mostly insulting Mike Jones in songs like "Who They Want", "You Got Wrecked", and "Roll Call". Recently, however, Chamillionaire has contemplated working with Jones again and ending any friction between the two .
  • Chamillionaire's younger brother Rasaq was allegedly jumped and punched in the back of the head by Paul Wall and his entourage at a nightclub. Paul Wall denied these claims, and Chamillionaire denied that anyone was hurt at all. He also expressed his disappointment in Paul Wall, claiming that they "all used to be family", and expressing dismay in the state of affairs. 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 and had no friction 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 .

Discography

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Chamillionaire" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Albums

Mainstream albums

Album cover Album information
File:Soundofrevenge.jpg
 The Sound of Revenge
Ultimate Victory

Mixtapes

Singles

Year Song U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap UK Album
2005 "Turn It Up" (featuring Lil' Flip) 41 31 9 - The Sound of Revenge
2005 "Draped Up Remix"
(Bun B featuring Lil' Keke, Aztek, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire,
Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Lil' Flip and Z-Ro) 		- 45 - - Trill
2006 "Ridin'" (featuring Krayzie Bone) 1 7 2 2 The Sound of Revenge
2006 "Grown And Sexy" - - - - The Sound of Revenge
2006 "Get Up" (Ciara featuring Chamillionaire) 7 10 - - Step Up Soundtrack
2006 "That Girl" (Frankie J. featuring Chamillionaire and Mannie Fresh) 43 - - - Priceless
2006 "Bet That" Trick Daddy (featuring Chamillionaire and Gold Ru$h) - - - - Back by Thug Demand
2006 "Its Okay(One Blood)Remix" (featuring Jim Jones, Snoop Dogg, Nas, T.I., Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, N.O.R.E., Jadakiss, Styles P., Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, Twista, Kurupt, Daz, WC, E-40, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Young Dro, Pusha & Malice of The Clipse and Ja Rule) N/A N/A N/A N/A Doctor's Advocate

Music videos

Year Title Album
2005 Turn It Up (featuring Lil' Flip) The Sound of Revenge
2006 Ridin' (featuring Krayzie Bone) The Sound of Revenge
2006 Grown and Sexy The Sound of Revenge

Awards/Nominations

Trivia

  • His first name "Hakeem" is the Arabic word for Wise.
  • Both the first names of him and his brother Rasaq are from Arabic words.
  • His name is pronounced with a K and not with a CH, being a portmanteau of chameleon and millionaire. It "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".
  • He will be featured on the new Bone Thugs-N-Harmony album Strength & Loyalty.
  • He grew up in a strict household with his Muslim father and Christian mother, where secular music was banned until his parents split up in his early teens. Despite these settings, he considers himself a Christian which is confirmed on his Song "Void In My Life".
  • Chamillionaire was on the original version of "Still Tippin'", but due to an argument with Mike Jones, the third verse was given to Paul Wall.
  • Prefers to ride on buses over riding in airplanes.
  • Chamillionaire's favorite album is Ridin' Dirty by UGK.
  • On July 17, 2006, Chamillionaire announced via bulletin on his official MySpace page that American parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic recorded a parody of "Ridin'" for his new album Straight Outta Lynwood (released on September 26, 2006). The parody, called "White & Nerdy" also featured a music video and was released as the lead single from the album. Chamillionaire stated in an interview that he was honored to have a parody of the song written by Yankovic, and was pleasantly surprised by Yankovic's rapping ability.
  • Chamillionaire has recently stated on his MySpace that he has plans of a Chamillitary clothing Line.
  • Chamillionaire won an award for 2006 Best Rap Video for the song Ridin' at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
  • His height is 5' 10½" (1.79 m)
  • He is one day younger than friend and fellow rapper The Game.
  • Chamillionaire's even younger brother, who goes by the name Thundacat, is also a rapper. Thundacat isn't and has never been affiliated with the Color Changin' Click. In Chamillionaire's entire underground rapping career, he has only been in one song with Thundacat. It is even rumored that they are on bad terms.
  • Chamillionaire appears on a track called "Sleep" on the new 2Pac album Pac's Life alongside with G-Unit member, Young Buck.
  • Chamillionaire does not smoke weed or drink alcohol.

See also

External links

Categories:
Chamillionaire Add topic