Known for his deep, versatile voice Chamillionaire holds the titles of successful rapper, entrepreneur, record executive and singer with universal confidence in himself and his abilities.

Chamillionaire - Master Of His Universe

"I just want to come as close as possible to living up to my reputation."

Known for his deep, versatile voice Chamillionaire holds the titles of successful rapper, entrepreneur, record executive and singer with universal confidence in himself and his abilities.

Named Hakeem Seriki on November 28, 1979 when he was born in Washington D.C. to an African American Christian mother and Muslim Nigerian father the future rapper was not allowed to listen to the secular music that was to become his passion. The family moved to Houston, Texas when he was four. When his parents separated Seriki's neighborhood became the infamous inner city North Houston Acres Home. As a young rebellious teen he gravitated to the hip-hop and rap his parents opposed. Music and basketball were his loves while in high school but music ultimately occupied his attention full time. He began promoting himself at talent events and as a result met the mixtape DJ of the Northside, Michael 500 Watts.

Musical beginnings

Originally part of Swishahouse, the prosperous Michael 5000 Watts mixtape company, Seriki adopted the stage name Chamillionaire and along with his friend from childhood, Paul Wall, freestye rapped their way into becoming very popular on Houston's mixtape circuit but were not making the kind of money they wanted from Swishahouse. Paul Wall and Chamillionaire formed their own mixtape duo which they called The Color Changin Click. Demonstrating his well developed marketing skills Cham aggressively promoted CCC until its extended following lead to a contract for a full album for the Paid in Full Records label. The collaborative album was released in 2002 as Get Ya Mind Correct and sold 100,000 records. The desire to move in different artistic directions lead to the duo agreeing to pursue individual projects and Color Changin Click dissolved.

In a deft business move Chamillionaire founded his Chamilitary label before personally signing with major record label Universal. Under the Chamilitary label he manages the careers of rappers Rasaq (his brother), 50/50 Twin and other new talent.

Chamillionaire's many monikers include Major Payne, King Koopa, Chamillitary Mayne, Color Changin' Lizard, The Truth From Texas and Chamillinator which may be viewed as fitting the many moods of the talented rapper and singer.

Body of work

His Top Ten Sound of Revenge was released on the Universal label in November 2005 well after Slim Thug, Mike Jones and the other big Southern Rap names had established themselves but he had a loyal fan base outside the Houston area as a result of the vast number of mixtapes he'd produced as an underground artist that fast forwarded his career quickly. The single Ridin went to the top on Billboard charts and received the 2006 Grammy Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group Award.

His next album release came in September 2007. Ultimate Victory hit the Billboard 200 at #8 and ranked #3 on the R&B Albums chart. Credibility is given to Chamillionaire for not repeating the formula that made Ridin such a phenomenal hit in 2005. This follow-up album is filled with hip-hop at its best with a noticeable absence of profanity while still delivering a message with clout. The most notable singles on the album include The Bill Collecta, You Must Be Crazy, Hip Hop Police and Industry News.

Since 2008 Chamillionaire has been preparing a third major studio album. The first single, Good Morning, from the album was released in September 2009 and went to #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cham ran a contest on his website for what to name the album and his original title of Venom (which he scraped) was the overwhelming favorite. The artist conceded to his fans and the album, Venom, is scheduled to be launched on March 16, 2010.

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