Chamillionaire

About Chamillionaire

Some MC's are all about flash, but the Southern rapper Chamillionaire is out to prove his skills as a lyricist. Although Cham has been known to sport a diamond-studded chameleon pendant and a mouth full of gold, he has also stated that he wants to represent the South with more than just big-party bass and dumb hooks. Over the course of his two full-length studio albums Chamillionaire, formerly known as the Mixtape Messiah, has done a lot to back up his boasts. To that end, Chamillionaire take the unique approach of writing his own hooks, while also singing the harmonies and recording everything on a multi-track. Cham got his start by founding the influential Houston hip hop crew The Color Changin' Click, along with fellow rapper Paul Wall. Other pioneering members of the group included Chamillionaire's brother Rasaq, 50/50 Twin and Yung Ro. At the start of their career, the crew was attached to Michael 5000 Watt's influential Swishahouse label, and while working to promote the label Cham and Paul Wall recorded some of their early, much-hyped hits. The duo moved to Paid In Full Entertainment, and dropped their classic Get Ya Mind Correct in 2002. The collaboration was a huge hit in Texas, and the album was nominated by The Source for indie record of the year. Despite their artistic success, the duo split when Cham and Paul began feuding over what direction to take the music. In 2005, Chamillionaire released his hotly anticipated major label solo debut album. Titled The Sound of Revenge, the album was a hard-hitting look at living the hip hop life in the South. The single "Ridin'", featuring Krayzie Bone, went to no.1 on the strength of its massive hook. The follow-up to Revenge, Ultimate Victory, was a much more mature album. On it, Chamillionaire reflects on both the positive and negative aspects of "making it" in the rap music game.