Rap’s
newest sensation, Chamillionaire, whose debut single “Ridin’", hit
no. 2 in the UK chart propelling sales of his album “The Sound Of Revenge"
returns with the release of his brand new single “Grown & Sexy." The
single is taken from the multi-platinum US album and looks set to further
establish the Houston rapper as a major force in hip hop and a regular in the
pop charts. Chamillionaire recently scooped the Best Rap Video at this year’s
MTV Music awards in New York City beating off stiff competition from some of the
biggest names in hip hop. “The Sound Of Revenge", which boasts a who’s
who of hip hop master producers including The Beat Bullies (Big Boi/Outkast),
Cool & Dre (The Game), Scott Storch (50 Cent), David Banner, Mannie Fresh, is
platinum, and looks set to be one of the biggest albums of the year Stateside.
I’m one of the lucky ones to speak to him a second time while he took time out of his busy schedule on a recent trip to London.
You’ve just arrived in London, what’s it like to be back so soon?
It’s pretty cool, I’m glad to be back for the second single. I haven’t had time to do much touring it’s just been work work work. I’m looking forward to performing in London.
What have you been up to since Ridin’ hit the charts?
Working on more music, travelling across the globe and touring internationally. I had faith that it would be as successful but I never knew how big it would really be until it was released and people started singing it back to me like an anthem.
What's up with the new single?
Grown & Sexy is a record that shows a different side of me. It's a song that will appeal to everybody.
Tell me about the new album..
It's bigger and better than the last album and I hope everyone gets a chance to hear it. I sold a lot of copies of my debut album but I think I can match it with this one. I don't know who I want to collaborate with on it yet I'm just building relationships in the industry and hopefully it will all fall into place. People know who I am now so I can work with artists that I want to.
Who have you been working with since becoming better known?
50 Cent asked me to record on the Pac's Life album and is interested in working with me again. I have a tracke called Get Up with Ciara as well, it's awesome. She's one of the female artists who's really doing her thing. I've had to turn down a few people so far because I don't wanna burn myself out doing too much. You have to pick and choose like a chess game and be smart with your moves. Due to politics, some collaborations don't happen.
Do you ever miss selling your own records by yourself and doing the street hustle?
Nah! I feel like I'm still doing it but on a bigger level now, I'm always hands on. It's almost like my independent game but a step up. Even though I'm signed by a major, I'm still very involved.
What's new with Chamillitary?
I want to brand it and make it better. There is so much you have to do marketing and promotion wise. I want to bring more artists out and release some records.
Tell me something about candy paint for those Britons who don’t know what it is.
Candy paint is a paint style that is really popular, especially in Houston, Texas, it’s kind of metallic and makes cars shine so much. They call it candy because it actually looks like wet candy. It’s a very colourful and bright type of paint. It’s really hard to repaint, if you get a scratch you have to repaint the whole side of the car. I have a car shop in Houston so we candy paint for a living.
What’s the history behind Chopped & Screwed?
DJ Screw is the creator. It’s where people will slow down the music and produce a different version of a track. It’s an acquired taste but it goes along with the lifestyle in Texas where people are more laid back and chilled.
Have you bought anything expensive since becoming successful?
Probably my crib. It’s nice after being out for so long on the road and coming back to a nice house. My blinds, TV and movie room are all remote controlled and so is the pool where you can get the bubbles up and change the colours of the lighting.
Any advice to up and coming rappers?
Watch and listen to people around you, that’s how you can learn best. You have to stay on your grind and stay focused. You have to want it more than everybody else.
The new single ‘Grown & Sexy’ released 13th November 2006
www.chamillionaireonline.com
By Rashmi Shastri - Nov 2006