Chamillionaire | |
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Chamillionaire in July 2008
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Background information | |
Birth name | Hakeem Seriki |
Born |
Washington, D.C., United States |
November 28, 1979
Origin | Houston, Texas, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Chamillitary, Swishahouse, Universal |
Associated acts | Color Changin Click, Paul Wall, DJ Michael "5000" Watts, Krayzie Bone, Lil Flip |
Website | www |
Hakeem Seriki (born November 28, 1979), better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, (/ˈkəmɪljənɛər/) 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 came to a halt in 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.