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Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979, in
Houston, Texas) is an American, two time Grammy Award nominated rapper
from the Acres Homes section of Houston, Texas. He is best known by his
stage name, Chamillionaire (pronounced Ka-MIL-yin-air), but also uses
nicknames such as The Mixtape Messiah, King Koopa, Color Changin'
Lizard, Chamillinator, Chamillitary Mayne, and 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, Lew Hawk, Yung Ro,
and Paul Wall.
****
Background information
Birth name Hakeem Seriki
Also known as King Koopa, The Mixtape Messiah, The
Truth from Texas, Color Changin' Lizard, Chamillinator
Born November 28, 1979 (age 27)
Origin Houston, Texas
Genre(s) Southern rap / Hip Hop
Occupation(s) Rapper
Years active 1998 - present
Label(s) Chamillitary / Universal Records
Associated
acts The Color Changin' Click
Website www.chamillionaire.com
****
Biography
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.
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, 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 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 [1] 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, H.A.W.K, Magno and
Mike D.[2]
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
rappers 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 s, 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") [3],and is also featured on Ciara's
new 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 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
[4]. Despite these successes, he considers "Weird Al" Yankovic spoofing his
"Ridin'" with "White & Nerdy" his greatest honor; the vocalist also openly
praised Yankovic's rapping skills, posted "White & Nerdy" on his own MySpace
page, and made a cameo in Yankovic's video during the bowling alley scene at the
end of the video.
Chamillionaire is set to release his next
mainstream album "Ultimate Victory" due in stores on March 27, 2007. The album
will feature production by Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, Cool & Dre, and
more. The album will also feature guest appearances by Alicia Keys, Kanye West,
Busta Rhymes, T.I., The Game, Three 6 Mafia, Pimp C, Young Buck and others.
Discography
Albums
2002: Get Ya Mind Correct (with Paul Wall)
2003: The Army (with The Color Changing Click)
2005: Controversy Sells (with Paul Wall)
2005: Chamillitary (with The Color Changing Click)
2005: Chamillionaire: Greatest Hits
2005: Chamillionaire: Greatest Hits 2
2005: The Sound of Revenge (1x Platinum)
2006: The Sound of Revenge (Screwed & Chopped)
2007: Ultimate Victory
Mainstream albums
Album cover Album information
The Sound of Revenge
Released: November 22, 2005
Chart positions: U.S. #10, UK #22
Last RIAA description: Platinum
Singles: "Turn It Up", "Ridin'", "Grown and Sexy"
Ultimate Victory
Release: March 27, 2007
Chart positions: TBR
Last RIAA description: TBR
Singles:TBR
Mixtapes
2004: Mixtape Messiah
2005: Houston We Have a Problem
2005: The Truth (with DJ Whoo Kid)
2005: Tippin' Down 2005
2005: Best Of... Continued
2005: Da Bottom Vol. 2
2005: Late Summer 2k5 (with OG Ron C)
2005: Whut It Dew Vol. 1
2005: Big Business (with Stat Quo)
2006: Man On Fire
2006: Best Of... Continued Part 2 (with Judge Dredd
& Stat Quo)
2006: Whut It Dew: Reloaded
2006: Mixtape Messiah pt. 2
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
2006 "Ridin'" (featuring Krayzie Bone) 1 7 2 2 The
Sound of Revenge
2006 "Grown And Sexy" - - - 35 The Sound of Revenge
Featured Singles
Year Song U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap Album
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 & Gold Rush) 104 - - Back by Thug Demand
2006 "King Kong" Jibbs (featuring Chamillionaire)
98 26 16 Jibbs feat. Jibbs
2007 "Dope Boy Fresh" Three 6 Mafia (featuring
Chamillionaire) TBR TBR TBR Da Last 2 Walk
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
2006 "Get Up" Ciara (featuring Chamillionaire) Step
Up Soundtrack
2006 "That Girl" Frankie J (featuring
Chamillionaire and Mannie Fresh) Priceless
2006 "Bet That" Trick Daddy (featuring
Chamillionaire & Gold Rush) Back by Thug Demand
2006 "King Kong" Jibbs (featuring Chamillionaire)
Jibbs feat. Jibbs
Awards/Nominations
Award Category Genre 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
Southern Rap/Hip-Hop "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 Southern
Rap/Hip Hop "Ridin" 2006 Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards Viewer's Choice (Wireless
People's Champ) 2006 Won
Dirty Awards Most Bootlegged CD Southern Rap/Hip
Hop "The Sound of Revenge" 2006 Nominated
Dirty Awards Dirty Song of the Year Southern
Rap/Hip Hop "Ridin" 2006 Nominated
Dirty Awards Best New Dirty 2006 Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or
Group "Ridin" 2007 Nominated
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 Southern
Rap/Hip-Hop "Ridin" 2006 Won
Ozone Awards Best Video Southern Rap/Hip-Hop
"Ridin" 2006 Won
People's Choice Awards Favorite Hip Hop Song
Southern Rap/Hip Hop "Ridin" 2006 Nominated
Trivia
His first name "Hakeem" means "wise" in Arabic.
Both he and his brother Rasaq have Arabic first
names.
He will be featured on the new Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
album Strength & Loyalty.
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.
Chamillionaire has recently stated on his MySpace
that he has plans of a Chamillitary clothing Line.
His height is 5' 10½" (1.79 m)[citation needed]
He is one day younger than friend and fellow rapper
The Game.
A recent MySpace rumor led many people to believe
he got shot.
Was the first artist who sold 3 million ringtones
off of his second single, Ridin'
He appears in the game "Def Jam: Icon".
He makes a cameo appearance in Lil' Scrappy's Money
In The Bank video along with Lil' Jon, David Banner and Lloyd Banks.
****
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URL of Original Article:
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Date Article Copied:
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