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| Birth Name(s) : Hakeem Seriki |
Date of Birth: N/A |
| Status:
Single
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Partner:
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| Profession:
Rapper, entrepreneur |
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Full Chamillionaire Biography
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 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. 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.
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, 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.
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 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 .
Chamillionaire recently signed back to Chamillitary Entertainment Yung Ro who was part of The Color Changin' Click. He is also planning to tour and a group album with Famous and Yung Ro. 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.
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." |
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