Chamillionaire: I’m Chamillionaire, Texas' "Mixtape Messiah" I came up in the mixtape game spittin’ freestyles and dropped one of the most successful independent records to come out of Houston. I have sold a lot of records out here and that got me the Chamillitary/Universal record deal. This year I’m coming out with an album called "The Sound of Revenge" to show the world a lyrical side of the South that I feel the world is not seeing right now. 

Medina: How did you get started?

Chamillionaire: I started off doing promotions, but that eventually turned into me spittin’ verses on mixtapes. A lot of times relationships get people in the door.

Medina: How difficult was it trying to get established in Hip Hop being from Texas?

Chamillionaire: I don’t think being from Texas makes it hard at all because music changes so much that you just have to keep grinding until it’s your turn to shine. It’s not like New York where there is a major label on every block but that’s why the independent scene is so big out here. People out here had to learn how to make a way with no major label support first and I think that’s the best way to learn the game.

Medina: What was the first rap song you ever heard?

Chamillionaire: Mannnn… I don’t think my memory is good enough to remember that one, but I know I wasn’t supposed to be listening to it when I heard it. My parents were not really into rap too much.

Medina: How did that impact your life?

Chamillionaire: The more I started getting into rap, I would just naturally start liking a lot of songs. I appreciate music, so I’m not really the type of person that always complains about all the music that he thinks is bad. I could always find something good about the music and open my ears and give different types of songs a chance. I guess that has just helped me to be open minded about things. I have always had my own mind, but people can tell me what they think and I’m the type of person that will take it into consideration.

Medina: How hot is the mixtape scene in Houston?

Chamillionaire: Well, it’s hot enough to get MTV to come down to Houston and do a special on Houston. They didn’t really completely just focus on the mixtapes, but everyone they covered came up in the Houston mixtape game. There are a lot of mixtape groups out here and that’s how mostly everyone is getting’ known. Most of the cds are screwed cds because that is the popular sound out here. Dj Screw and the Screwed Up Click started that movement and a lot of people are getting known because of that.

Medina: You've been dubbed the "Mix Tape Messiah"- How many have you been featured on?

Chamillionaire: I lost count a long time ago, so I know it’s a lot of mixtapes. Most of the mixtapes coming out of this area would have a freestyle wit’ me on it. Every week I’ll see a new one that I didn’t even know existed but I appreciate the djs supporting me in the streets.

Medina: Do you remember the first mixtape you were on? What was it?

Chamillionaire: “Choppin’ em up 2”. I believe that was the name of it. I could be wrong… but I  know the freestyle that was on it wasn’t even screwed and it was on a Missy Elliot beat.

Medina: You were formerly affiliated with SwishaHouse. Can I ask why that affiliation ended?

Chamillionaire: Swishahouse cares about itself and I realized that it was time to start caring about me if I wanted to be financially successful. I don’t value fame more than I value the dolla, so I had to go get some dollars. I don’t spend all my days and nights grinding to make anyone but my family happy now. I’ll sacrifice my blood sweat and tears for them but I’m not gonna go out there and be a slave so somebody else’s family eats good while mine is starving. The affiliation ended when I came to that realization. I don’t wish any bad on them though, I’m honestly glad to see they are still eating but I knew I had to go get my plate on my own.

Medina: Any chance on reconciliation?

Chamillionaire: There aren't any hard feelings towards the Swishahouse. I still talk to some of the members. I don’t really talk to the others because I don’t like to pretend to be friends when I know its not like that. I don’t have anything to say but good luck wit your life.

Medina: You have had major "talk about" on the independent level by moving major units why sign with a major label at this point?

Chamillionaire: You can get in the major system and make some serious money if you sign the right type of deal when you enter. I still feel like independent money is good and I still can and do get that money, but the reason why the major thing wasn’t on the radar before was because of the types of situations that were being offered. When I would tell people what I thought was fair they would say the industry is not designed like that and I feel like the majors design it, so it works highly in their favor. I can see the way they are looking at it if I put myself in their shoes and see how much money they invest into projects, but why sign a deal that is not gonna benefit you the way that you want. When you sign that first contract a lot of times that is your only shot… so you gotta make sure that you are 99 percent comfortable with what you are signing.

Medina: What are some of the differences that you have run into? (Being independent and then signing with a major?)

Chamillionaire: Majors spend a lot of money on everything. If it doesn’t work they write it off as a loss so when tax time comes around they don’t mess with it again. When you are independent, your product that you are pushin’ is your only chance of survival, so you can't just be givin’ up like that and loosing faith if it doesn't work the first time. Majors have hundreds of people in the streets working to make something happen and when you are independent, you are your biggest and best employee and have to do most of the stuff yourself.

Medina: Why did you choose Universal?

Chamillionaire: When I realized that they were gonna give me the type of deal that I wanted, I started realizing that it would be possible to get in the major system and make some serious money. I met with a lot of labels but to me… it just seemed like they were not as serious about doing business as Universal. Universal budged on things that I knew others would not because they were serious about doing business. They didn't feed me the B.S. They told me the downside and the upside and didn’t try to feed me the fantasy that some people like to hear. That type of stuff keeps me grounded and motivated when I hear it that way and my gut instinct told me to mess wit’ them.

Medina: Your highly anticipated first major label release "The Sound of Revenge"- Why did you choose that title?

Chamillionaire: I named it the "Sound of Revenge" for two reasons and one is because there are people out there that will go to sleep feeling very good at night if I fail. The thought of my failure is a good feeling to some people and this album is gonna give them the opposite of that feeling. Some people… feel like it’s their job to try and crush your confidence and I don’t let anything or what anyone says stop me from being successful and success is the best revenge. The goal is to make an album, that the world will love and I intend to drop an album that sounds like I was successful in my attempt. There are people who hype up everything and don’t live up to the hype and I want my music to match the hype of the album.

Medina: How many cuts are on the album?

Chamillionaire: I have done a lot of songs, but I’m still recording. Some have been given to video games and some will be used for other things. I like to give the fans a lot more but sometimes a lot is too much. I’ll know soon.

Medina: Who is featured on the album?

Chamillionaire: I have some pretty nice features on the album, but I don’t want to jump the gun and start saying who because some songs might not even end up in the album. I don’t feel like… I have to get a million features though, cuz I have always had the confidence to hold my own. I'll say what's final when I’m sure.

Medina: Who produced the album?

Chamillionaire: I have recorded enough material for a couple albums and we haven't really decided what songs are gonna make the album yet, but the producers I  have messed wit are; Scott Storch, The Beat Bullies, David Banner, Kenoe, Dj Toomp, Mannie Fresh,Happy P, Play & Skills, Cool & Dre, KLC, Dj Paul & Juicy J… and a lot more. I have messed wit a lot of people.

Medina: What is your favorite cut off the album? And Why?

Chamillionaire: I don’t have just one favorite record on there but there are a couple personal records I did that move me when I hear them. I came up in the mixtape circuit and during my career I have not done a lot of really personal songs like some that are on my album.

Medina: Tell the people what they can expect when they purchase your album.

Chamillionaire: A sound that is original, lyrical, witty, and creative is what the public can expect. I try to think up creative concepts for songs because there are a lot of rappers that just follow the lead of the last hot rapper. I’m bringing some innovative and lyrically creative music to the world from a Southerners’ perspective. The overall concept of the album is pretty creative also so people should definately give it a listen.

Medina: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Chamillionaire: Successful… beyond peoples expectations. The average life of a rapper doesn't even last that long but I intend on still being relevant to the rap game. It doesn't have to be on the stage holding the microphone because rap is a stepping stone to something higher. When you keep the thought that rap artists’ money isn’t as good as it gets in your mind, then you will be able to  reach for something better when you get that rap money. Knowing is half the battle.

Medina: Thank You for your time and much continued success

Chamillionaire: Thank you