By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Written off by the hip hop world as a one hit wonder, Chamillionaire emerged at the height of the Southern takeover in hip hop. Of course, the world knows Chamillionaire best for his breakout single, “Ridin’,” but Houston knows him as a mixtape legend. Before the fame, Chamillionaire was deemed “Mixtape Messiah” for a reason.
There is much more to Chamillionaire than his mainstream debut and the following music. Chamillionaire launched his career in the late 1990s and he and Paul Wall had taken the Houston mixtape scene over by the early 2000s. Houston’s hip hop scene was dominated by Swishahouse, which led to a deal with Asylum Records.
Revamped, Asylum Records now focused on hip hop and Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug were the primary focus. Before the deal, Chamillionaire left Swishahouse to form his own label, Chamillitary. Starting in 2004, Chamillionaire released The Mixtape Messiah, which included his “Roll Call” track.
Before this, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall formed a duo and they dominated the Houston mixtape scene. With backing from Michael “5000” Watts, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall released two albums. In the summer of 2002, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall released their debut album, Get Ya Mind Correct, boasting collaborations with 50/50 Twin, and the “Game Over” single. Get Ya Mind Correct was critically acclaimed and was followed up by Controversy Sells, which faced delays due to conflict with Chamillionaire and Paul Wall.
Chamillionaire released several mixtapes and became the hottest mixtape rapper in the game, all on his own. Man on Fire and The Truth, with DJ Whoo Kid, caught the attention of the hip hop world. In 2005, suddenly Houston became the focal point of the rap game, with MTV going to Houston to see how the city lived. While Mike Jones, Slim Thug, and Paul Wall had success, it was Chamillionaire who stole the show and signed a lucrative deal with Universal Records, leading up to The Sound of Revenge.
On top of the game, Chamillionaire did reach the top of the mountain, but he never lost his mixtape edge. While riding the success of his “Ridin'” single, Chamillionaire released Mixtape Messiah 2 and Chamilliatary Therapy in 2006. Both mixtapes were met with more success, but his label wanted another album. Turning this down, this set in motion Chamillionaire’s eventual departure from Universal and his return to the mixtape scene.
Whether it be mainstream or mixtapes, Chamillionaire has always shown up strong on the music. Chamillionaire has proven to be a talented rapper and also harmonizes. In recent years, a lot of attention has been given to Houston rapper, Kirko Bangz, for his tendency to sing his rhymes, but Chamillionaire was the original crooner in H-Town. Over the years, Chamillionaire has remade some of the biggest hits in the game from the likes of T.I., Lil’ Flip, Jay-Z, Juicy J, and many others.
There was also the brief period of time in 2006 when Chamillionaire proved he was the biggest artist in the game and had songs out with Lil Wayne, Lil’ Flip, Ciara, Pastor Troy, Scarface, Killer Mike, and more.
Check out songs and videos from Chamillionaire over the years below:
Chamillionaire and Paul Wall – “Game Over” off Get Ya Mind Correct
Lil’ Flip ft. Chamillionaire – “U See It” off Undaground Legend
Trae Tha Truth ft. Chamillionaire and Paul Wall – “Oh No” off Losing Composure
Chamillionaire and Paul Wall ft. Devin the Dude – “Back Up Plan” off Controversy Sells
Chamillionaire – “Step Into My Room” off The Mixtape Messiah
Chamillionaire ft. Lil’ Flip – “Turn it Up” off The Sound of Revenge
Chamillionaire ft. Scarface and Billy Cook – “Rain”
Watch “Ridin'” by Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone off The Sound of Revenge
Chamillionaire ft. Killer Mike and Pastor Troy – “Southern Takeover”
Chamillionaire – “They Think I’m Crazy”
Watch “Grown & Sexy” by Chamillionaire below:
Watch “Get Up” by Ciara ft. Chamillionaire below:
Chamillionaire – “You A Dummy”
Chamillionaire ft. Slim Thug and Trae Tha Truth – “Do It 4 H-Town”
