Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Chamillionaire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chamillionaire | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hakeem Seriki |
| Also known as | Chamillion, Chamil, Cham, King Koopa, The Mixtape Messiah, The Truth From Texas, Color Changin' Lizard, Chamillionator, Chamillitary Five Star General, Chamillitary Mayne |
| Born | November 28, 1979 Houston, Texas |
| Origin | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Genre(s) | Southern Rap, Hip Hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, record executive, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Label(s) | Chamillitary/Universal |
| Associated acts |
The Color Changin' Click, UGK, Lil Wayne, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, David Banner, Lloyd, Krayzie Bone, Trick Daddy |
| Website | http://www.chamillionaire.com |
Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979)better known by his stage name Chamillionaire (pronounced Ka-MIL-yin-air, IPA: /kəˌmɪljəˈnεər/, a portmanteau of "chameleon" and "millionaire") is an American rapper (and often singer) 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 multi-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. At the 49th Grammy Awards (February 11, 2007), he was awarded a Grammy, for the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, for his #1 single with Krayzie Bone, titled Ridin'. He is a former artist on Michael 5000 Watts' Swishahouse stable.
Contents |
At a young age, Chamillionaire the young Muslim rapper, along with fellow rap music entrepreneur and childhood friend Paul Wall, had decided to make music their careers. 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.
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 debuted and peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. 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. The third single, released on June 12, 2006, was "Grown and Sexy". Also, while not an official single, the bonus track "Grind Time" was used as part of the NBA Live soundtrack. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA, and a chopped and screwed version, screwed by OG Ron C, was released in February 2006. Guest appearances for the album include Lil Flip, Krayzie Bone, Bun B, Lil Wayne, Pastor Troy, Killer Mike, Scarface, Rasaq, and many others.
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 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 [1].
Chamillionaire released his second mainstream album Ultimate Victory on September 18, 2007. The album was praised for its clean status and did not have to be given a parental advisory badge. The album failed to be released on the originally intended date of March 27th, referred to on Mixtape Messiah 2. Guest appearances include UGK, Krayzie Bone, Lil' Wayne, Famous, Tony Henry, Devin The Dude, & Lloyd. The first single was "Hip Hop Police" and features Hip Hop Legend Slick Rick. The album featured production by Play-N-Skillz, Beat Bullies, J. R. Rotem, Kane Beats, Cool & Dre and more. Chamillionaire announced that his second single is "Industry Groupie" and is shooting a video for it, which he commented on his Myspace blog. He later stated on his youtube blog, Chamillionairetv, that a label executive has cut the budget for the Industry Groupie Video & that he may instead release the Won't Let You Down (Texas Takeover Remix) video featuring Slim Thug, Lil Keke, Mike Jones, Trae, Paul Wall, Bun B, Z-Ro & Pimp C.
Chamillionaire recently signed back to Chamillitary Entertainment Yung Ro who was part of The Color Changin' Click. He is also planning to tour and is also planning a group album with Famous and Yung Ro called Money, Power, and Fame. Both of them will be working on solo albums to drop in the future after the group album. Chamillionaire will release the Tony Henry R&B project through Chamillitary Soul and it will be separate from his rap stuff.[1]
Chamillionaire also stated that he will continue with his "Mixtape Messiahs", he says in an interview with wordofsouth.com "I was gonna release mixtape messiah 3.5 by surprise exactly two weeks before my album dropped but it leaked before I could release it so I decided not to. The trend will keep going though. I actually like recording mixtapes more than albums but albums bring in more of everything." According to Cham's myspace, Mixtape Messiah 4 was to be released on December 18 but, was delayed due to Pimp c's tragic death. [2]
- 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 is seen with Mike Jones promoting his Ultimate Victory.[3] Paul Wall and Mike Jones were recently featured on Chamillionaire's official 'Won't Let You Down (Texas Takeover Remix)'.
- 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].
- 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.[5]
- Chamillionaire has also been in a feud with BCD Music Group, a company that used to distribute Chamillionaire's music. On Mixtape Messiah 2's opening track, "Guess Who's Back (Intro)," Chamillionaire refers to BCD as a bootlegging company, and BCD is also mentioned in several other of Chamillionaire's songs. Shila Mitra, a partner of BCD, fueled the feud further with her own diss track. [6]
- 2005: The Sound of Revenge
- 2007: Ultimate Victory
- 2005: "Turn It Up"
- 2006: "Ridin'"
- 2006: "Grown and Sexy"
- 2007: "Hip Hop Police"
- 2007: "Won't Let You Down (Texas Takeover Remix)"
- 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: "Doe Boy Fresh" (Three 6 Mafia featuring Chamillionaire)
- 2007: "I Know U Want That" (Big Tuck featuring Chamillionaire & Tum Tum)
| 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 |
| BET Hip-Hop Award | Best Hip-Hop Video of the Year | "Hip Hop Police" | 2007 | Nominated |
- ^ http://www.wordofsouth.com/myblock/showthread.php?t=49192
- ^ http://www.wordofsouth.com/myblock/showthread.php?t=49192
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQua8FjIeFE
- ^ http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/9714]
- ^ Chamillionaire Exclaims "There is no beef with 50" in Interview
- ^ http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2006/01/chamillionaire_sparks_beef_with_soccer_mom/
- Official Website - Run by Chamillionaire
- Official Website - Run By Universal Records
- Chamillionaire at the Internet Movie Database
- Chamillionaire at MySpace
- Chamillionaire at Buzznet
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Albums | The Sound of Revenge · Ultimate Victory |
| Collaborations | Get Ya Mind Correct · Controversy Sells · Chamillitary · Big Business · Money, Power, and Fame |
| Compilations | Greatest Hits · Best of... Continued · Greatest Hits 2 · Best Of... Continued Part 2 |
| Mixtapes | Mixtape Messiah · Houston We Have a Problem · The Truth · Tippin' Down 2005 · Late Summer 2k5 · Man on Fire · Mixtape Messiah 2 · Mixtape Messiah 3 · Mixtape Messiah 4 |
| Singles | "Turn It Up" · "Ridin'" · "Grown and Sexy" · "Hip Hop Police" · "Won't Let You Down" |
| Featured singles | "Draped Up (Remix)" · "Get Up" · "That Girl" · "Bet That" · "King Kong" · "Doe Boy Fresh" · "I Know U Want That" |
| Related articles | Discography · Chamillitary Entertainment · The Color Changin' Click |