Quick Facts
Biography
Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979), better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, () is an American musician, rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Houston, Texas. He is the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire was also the founder and an original member of the Color Changin' Click until the group split in 2005.
He began his career independently with local releases in 2002, including collaboration album Get Ya Mind Correct with fellow Houston rapper and childhood friend Paul Wall. He signed to Universal Records in 2005 and released The Sound of Revenge under Universal. It included hit singles "Turn It Up" featuring Lil' Flip and the number-one, Grammy-winning hit "Ridin'" featuring Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Ultimate Victory followed in 2007, which was notable for not containing any profanity. Chamillionaire is also known for his most anticipated Mixtape Messiah series, which ran from 2004 until 2009.
In early 2011, he left Universal Records, which led to his would-be third album, Venom, going unreleased. Chamillionaire released his first independent extended play Ammunition in March 2012 and was noted as his first major release since he left the label. Another EP, Elevate, was released on February 17, 2013. He said it is going to be one of several to be released before his third studio album, and shortly after his third EP Reignfall was released on July 23, 2013. He is working on his third studio album, Poison.
Chamillionaire joined Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Upfront Ventures in early 2015.
Music career
1998–2004: Career beginnings
Seriki's stage name Chamillionaire is a portmanteau of "chameleon" and "millionaire" While promoting at an event, Seriki and fellow rapper Paul Wall met Michael "5000" Watts, a popular mixtape DJ from northern Houston. After proposing to do promotions for Watts's company Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to Watts's studio and convinced Watts to allow them to freestyle on an intro to Watts's radio show on Houston hip-hop radio station KBXX-FM. 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. Soon, Seriki (performing as Chamillionaire) and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts's mixtapes, and became permanent members of Swishahouse. Chamillionaire and Paul Wall soon started their own group, The Color Changin' Click. In 2002, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall collaborated for the album Get Ya Mind Correct, which went on to sell over 150,000 copies. The Source magazine nominated the album for independent album of the year in 2002. Chamillionaire and the Color Changin' Click, dubbed "Houston's answer to 50 Cent and his G-Unit posse", performed at the SXSW music festival in 2004.
2005–2006: The Sound of Revenge
Chamillionaire's first major solo release The Sound of Revenge was released through Chamillitary Entertainment and Universal Records on November 22, 2005. The album debuted and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States. The album's lead single was "Turn It Up", featuring Lil' Flip produced by Scott Storch, followed by "Ridin'", featuring Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony produced by Play-N-Skillz; "Ridin'" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Its video also was named "Best Rap Video" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2007, he won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ridin'". He was at that time signed with Michael 5000 Watts' Swishahouse label. Comedic performer "Weird Al" Yankovic made a parody of the song entitled "White & Nerdy", for his own album Straight Outta Lynwood. The third single from the album was "Grown and Sexy".
Additionally, the bonus track "Grind Time" was featured in the video game NBA Live 06. 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 included Lil' Flip, Natalie, Krayzie Bone, Bun B, Lil Wayne, Pastor Troy, Killer Mike, Scarface, singer Billy Cook, and his brother Rasaq. Chamillionaire won the Best New Artist award for the 2006 BET Awards
The second installment to the Mixtape Messiah series, Mixtape Messiah 2, was released January 5, 2006. Later in 2006, Chamillionaire was featured in the singles "Get Up" by Ciara, "That Girl" by Frankie J, "Bet That" by Trick Daddy, "King Kong" by Jibbs, and "Doe Boy Fresh" by Three Six Mafia in 2007.
2007–2008: Ultimate Victory
To promote his new album, Chamillionaire released Mixtape Messiah 3 as a prelude to his new album on July 18, 2007, at 11pm Eastern Time on his website. Chamillionaire released his second mainstream album Ultimate Victory on September 18, 2007. Ultimate Victory was made without a single profanity said by Chamillionaire. Guest appearances included UGK, Krayzie Bone, Lil Wayne, Famous (Lil Ken), Tony Henry, Devin the Dude and Lloyd. The first single was "Hip Hop Police", featuring Slick Rick, which both Chamillionaire and Slick Rick performed on the CBS television network program Late Show with David Letterman on September 14, 2007. The following single is "The Evening News."
Mixtape Messiah 4, the fourth title in Chamillionaire's Mixtape Messiah series, was initially set for release on December 18, 2007, but was released on August 27, 2008.
2008–2010: Final Mixtape Messiah, Venom, and Major Pain
In November 2008, Chamillionaire announced his plans for his third album, Venom, for release in early 2009. His sixth installment in the Mixtape Messiah series was to be a "prelude" to Venom. The first single from Venom was initially planned to be "Creepin' (Solo)", which featured Ludacris and ended up reaching #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. However, it is unclear whether or not the song will be included on Venom after Chamillionaire canceled and then reinstated the album. He announced that Mixtape Messiah 7 would be the final installment of the "Mixtape Messiah" series and that he cancelled Venom to create different material for his third album. Chamillionaire awarded his final Mixtape Messiah 7 to 100 winners of a contest which he ran on his website. The first disc from Mixtape Messiah 7 was launched for free download on August 4, 2009, just after 11:30 pm EST, while Disc 2 was released on August 6, 2009, just after 2:00 am EST. The next day the next Disc 3 & 4 dropped making it a 66 track compilation.
On September 29, it was officially announced that Chamillionaire's third album would indeed be entitled Venom after a fan vote on his Web site. The first single from this upcoming album is titled "Good Morning". The album was scheduled to be released on June 22, 2010.
Chamillionaire appeared on the remix for Weezer's song "Can't Stop Partying", from their album Raditude. He also joined Weezer for live performances as Lil Wayne, who is featured on the original version of the track, was convicted on gun possession charges and was unable to perform. On December 11, 2009, Chamillionaire performed a set for "Fort Hood Community Strong", an event described as a day of "healing, fun and entertainment" for those placed at the Fort Hood military base who were affected by the shooting that took place on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people. Other performers at the event included Nick Jonas, Dana Carvey and Zac Brown Band.
On December 23, 2009, Chamillionaire announced via his YouTube page that he would be initiating a new mixtape series entitled "Major Pain" through his website by dropping a disc entitled Major Pain on February 2, 2010. Due to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game taking place in Dallas, Texas, Chamillionaire released a new song, "The Main Event", on February 11, 2010, via free download. It features fellow Texas rappers Paul Wall, Slim Thug & Dorrough. "Every artist on the song with me has independent hustle and strength in the streets," he said. "It's an All-Star song, so what better place to shoot the video than All-Star Weekend, right here in our own backyard." It was later released to iTunes on June 8, 2010.
On Chamillionaire's official website, he stated "Right now the Venom album is set for March 16 and has been pushed back just like Lil Wayne's Rebirth, Game's Red album, and countless other hip hop albums that this happens to." The date was later pushed back to June 22, but was not released that day. Venom has been confirmed as cancelled as Chamillionaire has parted ways with Universal.
2011–2012: Departure from Universal Records and Playlist Poison
According to Kanye West's engineer and producer Andrew Dawson, Chamillionaire and Universal Records have parted ways. “I’ve been working a lot with Chamillionaire, because I produced some tracks for him. He got out of his deal with Universal [Records], which wasn’t a good situation for either of them,” revealed Dawson. “Him and I have an active producer agreement that is now null and void because they got caught in the legal shuffle, but I’m like, ‘I just want the music to come out. Let’s find a way to make it happen.’ I was emailing him stuff back and forth when I was [with Kanye West] in Hawaii. Some big stuff will be coming out this next year, so I’m stoked to see it going.” Chamillionaire also tweeted that he’ll be doing a Ustream session on January 14 to discuss his future plans.
During his live UStream on January 14, 2011, Chamillionaire announced he was officially leaving Universal Records. As part of this deal he is not allowed to release Venom or any material recorded during that time. He is currently working on a new series called Playlist Poison and will release tracks on a random basis. The first Playlist Poison song released was "When Ya On" which featured Nipsey Hussle and was followed by "This My World" featuring Big K.R.I.T., "Charlie Sheen" featuring Rock D & Killer Mike, and "Passenger Seat" featuring Short Dawg. On April 18, he released the next installment in his Major Pain mixtape series, Major Pain 1.5 for free download from his website, and subsequently released 3 other mixtapes entitled Badazz Freemixes, Badazz Freemixes 2 and Badazz Slowmixes. Chamillionaire's 8 Song EP titled Ammunition was released for digital download on Tuesday March 20, 2012, and all physical bundles will be released on Tuesday March 27, 2012. He will be releasing his third studio album complete with unheard material in 2013. The album will be titled Poison and will feature a music video for every track on the album. Also, he has been seen with Krizz Kaliko's, of Strange Music, 'Kickin and Screamin' album on the track 'Mayday' featuring himself and Rittz. Chamillionaire was featured on Saigon's 2012 album; The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses on the single "Keep Pushing".
On the December 4, 2012, Chamillionaire released Show Love to iTunes and it features D.A. of Chester French. This was the first and only music video he had released of 2012, despite being in the music video on the song "No Room in Hell" for the upcoming video game; Dead Island: Riptide.
2013–present: EPs, finalizing Poison and Upfront Ventures
On January 17, 2013, Chamillionaire announced he had been working on a new extended play. The EP, titled Elevate, was released on February 12, 2013. Elevate includes 7 songs and featured no artists. He also stated that this EP will be one of many he will release in promotion of his Poison album. Chamillionaire announced that despite leaving Universal, Poison is likely to be released through a major label, unlike the various promotional EPs. On July 23, 2013, Chamillionaire released the third EP in promotion of Poison with Reignfall. Reignfall would be his first project since his second studio album to chart on a Billboard chart. On February 13, 2014, Chamillionaire released his first single of the year titled Watching Breaking Bad, in recognition of the TV show Breaking Bad and featured Tami LaTrell. The single Go Getta followed on February 28 and End of a Knife, produced by Kato, was released on March 21, 2014.
On February 23, 2015, Upfront Ventures, the largest early-stage fund raised in L.A, since 2000 appointed Chamillionaire as an entrepreneur in residence. This marks the first time an honor of this kind has been bestowed upon a rap artist. Chamillionaire hopes that this pivotal new role will allow him to help usher in the next generation of tech entrepreneurs as well as continue to offer valuable advice and investment capital to worthy start-ups. Chamillionaire met Upfront partner, Mark Suster, in 2009, becoming one of the earliest co-investors in Maker Studios, now a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
Business career
Fly Rydes
In addition to being a musician, Chamillionaire has embarked a business career and established himself as an entrepreneur in a number of industries. In 2003, he ventured into investing in a Houston-based auto dealer; Fly Rydes, specializing in customizing cars. Chamillionaire’s partner, Big Ernest, created the company years back, and Chamillionaire decided to collaborate with him to get “corporate money” for the business and build its clientele. Chamillionaire has since let Ernest take over the whole company, due to his career. He says; “Out here in Texas, that car thing is big. We’ll do videos and rent all kinds of cars and people will waste all kinds of money on them, and instead, they can come spend that money with me.”
Record Label
Chamillionaire has his own record label; Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire created the label after he had left his previous record labels; Swishahouse and Paid In Full Entertainment as he was unsigned. It was distributed by Universal Records but has been independent since January 15, 2011, due to Chamillionaire and the label parting ways.
Upfront Ventures
On February 23, 2015, Upfront Ventures, the largest early-stage fund raised in L.A since 2000, appointed Chamillionaire as an entrepreneur in residence. This marks the first time an honor of this kind has been bestowed upon a rap artist. Chamillionaire hopes that this pivotal new role will allow him to help usher in the next generation of tech entrepreneurs as well as continue to offer valuable advice and investment capital to worthy start-ups. A spokesperson for Upfront Ventures has stated that; "Chamillionaire brings a wealth of expertise in this area to the table based on his own years of employing successful tech and marketing strategies as both an independent music artist and later a label partner with Universal Records. Add to that he has quietly been a fixture in the tech world for many years: attending major conferences both as a keynote and audience member, making him a sought-after promotional partner, advisor and potential investor. It was in this capacity that he met Upfront partner, Mark Suster, in 2009, becoming one of the earliest co-investors in Maker Studios, now a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company." In a letter penned by Mark Suster explaining the week he's had at Upfront Ventures in Los Angeles, he explains the presence of Chamillionaire around the office. "The same Chamillionaire who was showing us how to get our respective shines on not a decade ago. But if Kanye has taught us anything, it's that we can find success in multiple creative outlets. In the past five years or so, Cham has been quietly but actively involved in the tech startup scene, from speaking on social media engagement in the music industry to hanging out with Y Combinator associates."
Other business endeavors
Chamillionaire opened up a modeling company, called Masterpiece Mind Frame. He believes it is his way of giving back to those who have things to offer, he says, but don’t know how to get there. “I will go out and see people and everybody wants to make money, and I will meet video girls who want to live the good life and all, but it is like, you gotta have a plan, you know?” Chamillionaire stated. “That is why it’s called Masterpiece Mind Frame because in the word mind frame, your MIND comes before your frame. Print modeling can turn into movies and other stuff, and you can just step all the way up the ladder. It’s like that with males and females, and if you’re trying to go somewhere, just walk up the ladder, you know, and take it to the next step.”
It is reported that Chamillionaire also owns a Tour Bus company. In addition, most of the tour buses have internet, cable, studio, DVD, surround sound and a shower. On November 4, 2009, Chamillionaire launched the Global Innovation Tournament 2009 at the Stanford Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University with Quincy Jones III as part of the Stanford Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Seminar Series.
Personal life
Chamillionaire was born to a Muslim Nigerian father and an African-American Christian mother in Washington D.C., and moved to Houston, Texas at the age of four. Chamillionaire's parents separated in his early teenage years. He settled into a notoriously dangerous inner-city neighborhood in North West Houston called Acres Homes.
Rap and other forms of secular music, which his parents had highly opposed in their household, became very appealing to Chamillionaire, who was still in his teens at the time. Chamillionaire has stated that he was 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. At a young age, Chamillionaire, along with fellow rap music artist and childhood friend Paul Wall, had decided to make music their careers. Chamillionaire has a brother, who is 3 years younger than him, Rasaq Seriki who is also an occasional rapper and a past member of The Color Changin' Click. He announced through a video log that he has a son born on May 14, 2010. He points out that his son’s name, Xavier, means “new house”. Chamillionaire has stated that despite being a Texas native, he has always been a Los Angeles Lakers fan. He goes on to say that "I know a few people think I'm on the bandwagon because the Lakers are a hot team but I was on the Lakers when people wasn't really rooting for them."
Controversy
Paul Wall
On November 19, 2004, Chamillionaire's younger brother, Rasaq Seriki, was allegedly attacked by Paul Wall and his entourage at a nightclub. Chamillionaire expressed his disappointment in Paul Wall, arguing that they all used to be family and that these events should not have happened. Before the entire incident between Paul Wall and Rasaq they were all part of the group called "The Color Changin' Click" which now has become fragmented. Chamillionaire released a diss track with Rasaq titled "Go Head".
The dispute ended in 2010, when the pair reunited for a full tour. Paul Wall stated "It took a long time and us growing. You know, we started off as a group and a lot of times when you go your separates ways, a lot of people say, "Oh you can't do it without him" and so you wanna prove them wrong. I know for me, I wanted to prove everyone wrong and prove that I could make it on my own." Chamillionaire replied; "We had been bumping into each other a lot. It's kinda been died down for a little bit now but we just kinda needed that stamp of approval. I think the tour kinda just solidifies it for other people. It's not like today we just stopped beefing, we stop beefing along time ago, but nobody believed us."
Discography
- Studio albums
- 2005: The Sound of Revenge
- 2007: Ultimate Victory
- 2017: Poison
- Collaboration albums
- 2002: Get Ya Mind Correct (with Paul Wall)
- 2005: Controversy Sells (with Paul Wall)
- Extended Plays
- 2012: Ammunition
- 2013: Elevate
- 2013: Reignfall
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Ridin'" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Won |
| 2007 | "Ridin'" | Best Rap Song | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Ridin'" | Best Rap Video | Won |
American Music Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Himself | Favorite Breakthrough New Artist | Nominated |
Filmography
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Punk'd | Himself | 1 Episode (Season 8, Episode 2) |
| The Game | 1 Episode (When the Chickens Come Home to Roost - Part 1) | ||
| Pimp My Ride | 1 Episode (Season 6, Episode 10) - featured Chamillionaire as Guest Host | ||