CHAMILLIONAIRE

'Hakeem Seriki' (born November 28, 1979), better known by his stage name 'Chamillionaire' (pronounced Ka-MIL-yin-air, a portmanteau of "chameleon" and "millionaire") is an American rapper and the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. He 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 a founder and original member of The Color Changin' Click, which houses rappers such as his brother Rasaq, 50/50 Twin, Lew Hawk, Yung Ro, and Paul Wall. He was recently awarded a Grammy, for the best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for his #1 single with Krayzie Bone, titled Ridin'.

Contents

Biography

Early career

2004-2006: ''Mixtape Messiah'' to ''The Sound Of Revenge''

2006-Present: ''The Sound of Revenge'' to ''Ultimate Victory''

Controversy

Discography

Albums

Singles

Featured singles

Awards

References

External links

Biography

Early career

At a young age, Chamillionaire, along with fellow rap music artist and childhood friend Paul Wall, had decided to make music their careers. He began his musical career in a gospel rap group by the name of the "The Sleepwalkers” with former partners Paul Wall and TeRay "PKT" Green. They performed at many youth festivals and church gatherings before venturing into more secular music. One day while promoting themselves at a Texas event, he and Paul Wall 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 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 own label Chamillitary instead, while Paul stayed at Swishahouse.

2004-2006: ''Mixtape Messiah'' to ''The Sound Of Revenge''

Chamillionaire began releasing his own mixtapes to ensure that all the money he earned went to him, together with his business partner, Luciano D'Amico A.K.A. Lucky Luxurioso-Lashes. After releasing Mixtape Messiah in 2004, Chamillionaire signed a deal with Universal Records in early 2005. Chamillionaire and Lucky would later that year become involved in a dispute over royalty sharing. This resulted in Lucky publicly dissing Chamillionaire and then going on to release his own album in 2006. Chamillionaire and Luciano D'Amico are no longer on speaking terms.
Chamillionaire's first 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' featured Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony". "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.
He was featured in Pepsi's Yahoo! "Houston Mic Pass" with Lil' Flip, Trae, Chingo Bling, Bun B, Short Dawg, Big Hawk, Magno and Mike D.[1]
R&B singer and friend, Natalie announced in a 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 his third 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 rappers on his debut effort, including Lil' Flip, Bun B, Scarface, as well as in-demand producers Scott Storch, Mannie Fresh and Cool & Dre. 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 streets and to the radio."
The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, and a chopped and screwed version, screwed by OG Ron C, was released in February 2006. In addition, Chamillionaire was voted by BET viewers as the #1 Gangster of the 21st century.
Chamillionaire has 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 Jibbs[2], and he is also featured on Ciara's single, entitled "Get Up", which is included on the soundtrack for ''Step Up''. 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 single "That Girl" with Mannie Fresh, on Trick Daddy's single "Bet That", and Three 6 Mafia's new single "Doe Boy Fresh". 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 turned 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 also then-new success 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 [3].

2006-Present: ''The Sound of Revenge'' to ''Ultimate Victory''

Chamillionaire is set to release his next mainstream album ''Ultimate Victory'' due in stores Fall 2007. The album failed to be released on the originally intended date of March 27th, referred to on Mixtape Messiah pt. 2. It is now set for release on September 18, according to Chamillionaire's MySpace blog. The first single has recently surfaced, entitled "Hip Hop Police" and features rap artist Slick Rick. The album will feature production by Jonathan Rotem, Scott Storch, Akon, Swizz Beatz, Cool & Dre, and more. The album will also feature guest appearances by Krayzie Bone, Bun B, Pimp C, Devin The Dude, Lil' Ken, Lil' Wayne and other notable rappers. In addition to his mixtapes and albums, Chamillionaire will begin promoting his new custom "Color Changing Kicks" shoe line.^[1] Chamillionaire has also made a few appearances on television, he has been Punk'd in the most recent season, he appeared on the season finale of The Game, which aired May 14, 2007. He also filled in for fellow rapper Xzibit as host for one episode of MTV's ''Pimp My Ride''.
Chamillionaire announced on Wordofsouth.com that his first official single of Ultimate Victory is “Hip Hop Police” featuring Slick Rick. The track, was produced by Jonathan Rotem. In addition to debuting the new single, Chamillionaire also is giving away free double bonus to fans with the release of “Mixtape Messiah 3” and “Mixtape Messiah DVD.”^[2]
Chamillionaire just released a video for "Evening News", giving it a good chance of it being his second single. ^[3]

Controversy

★ Chamillionaire was involved in a feud with Mike Jones. Jones stated that Chamillionaire insulted him out of jealousy for his success, Chamillionaire has accused Jones of slander, and in response devoted an entire disc of his 3-CD mixtape album Mixtape Messiah to insulting him, referring to Jones as "Dyke Jones". However at the encouragement of Paul Wall & other Swishahouse rappers, Chamillionaire has contemplated working with Jones again and resolving any disagreement between the two. It's highly believed that those two have moved on and are not feuding anymore, Mike Jones' name was featured in Chamillionaire's new video Hip Hop Police.

★ 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. Chamillionaire and Paul Wall have since made up (after performing Ridin' on BET's ''106 & Park''; Chamillionaire confirmed that not only are he and Paul Wall now back on talking terms but that they are thinking of touring together soon [4].

★ Recently, Chamillionaire says that he hates beef, especially after the release of ''Hip Hop Is Dead'', and the appearance of what looks like an East Coast Vs. South conflict, and has blamed Corporate America instead, for the downfall of hip hop. He has asked all fans to forget the hip hop beefs, even his own. This is clear on the "Hip Hop is Dead (Skit)" on his recent mixtape, Mixtape Messiah 2

★ In an interview with DJBooth.net's DJ "Z," Chamillionaire explained he was not upset by the comments offered from 50 Cent while on Funkmaster Flex' radio show. Chamillionaire also references his displeasure with media members trying to start a beef between the two MCs on the opening track of his Mixtape Messiah 3.^[4]

Discography

Main articles: Chamillionaire discography

Albums

★ 2005: ''The Sound of Revenge''

★ 2007: ''Ultimate Victory''

Singles

★ 2005: "Turn It Up" (featuring Lil Flip)

★ 2006: "Ridin'" (featuring Krayzie Bone)

★ 2006: "Grown and Sexy"

★ 2007: "Hip Hop Police" (featuring Slick Rick)

★ 2007: "The Bill Collecta" (featuring Krayzie Bone)

Featured singles

★ 2005: "Draped Up [Remix]" (Bun B featuring Lil Keke, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Aztek, Lil Flip, & Z-Ro)

★ 2006: "Get Up" (Ciara featuring Chamillionaire)

★ 2006: "That Girl" (Frankie J featuring Chamillionaire & Mannie Fresh)

★ 2006: "Bet That" (Trick Daddy featuring Chamillionaire & Gold Rush)

★ 2006: "King Kong" (Jibbs featuring Chamillionaire)

★ 2007: "Dope Boy Fresh" (Three 6 Mafia featuring Chamillionaire)

★ 2007: "I Know U Want That" (Big Tuck featuring Chamillionaire & Tum Tum)

Awards

Award	Category	Song/Album	Year	Result
American Music Awards	Favorite Breakthrough Artist		2006	Nominated
BET Awards	Best New Artist		2006	Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards	Hip Hop Track of the Year	"Ridin"	2006	Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards	Rookie of the Year		2006	Won
BET Hip Hop Awards	Hip Hop MVP		2006	Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards	Best Collaboration	"Ridin"	2006	Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards	Viewer's Choice (Wireless People's Champ)		2006	Won
Dirty Awards	Most Bootlegged CD	"The Sound of Revenge"	2006	Nominated
Dirty Awards	Dirty Song of the Year	"Ridin"	2006	Nominated
Dirty Awards	Best New Dirty		2006	Nominated
Grammy Awards	Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group	"Ridin"	2007	Won
Grammy Awards	Best Rap Song	"Ridin"	2007	Nominated
MtvU Woodie Awards	The Breaking Woodie – (Best Emerging Artist)		2006	Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards	Best Rap Video	"Ridin"	2006	Won
Ozone Awards	Best Video	"Ridin"	2006	Won
People's Choice Awards	Favorite Hip Hop Song	"Ridin"	2006	Nominated
World Music Award	World's Best Rap/Hip Hop Artist		2006	Nominated
World Of Rap Award	Ringtone Of The Year	"Ridin"	2007	Won

References

1. Chamillionaire Shoe Line - Color Changing Kicks
2. http://www.wordofsouth.com/online/?p=744
3. http://www.wordofsouth.com/myblock/showthread.php?t=47004
4. Chamillionaire Exclaims "There is no beef with 50" in Interview

External links

★ Official Website

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