Chamillionaire

Biography

Hakeem Temidayo Seriki (born November 28, 1979), better known by his stage name Chamillionaire ( kə-MIL-yə-nair), is an American rapper and businessman. He began his career in Houston's hip hop scene in the late 1990s. He was briefly signed with the local record label Swishahouse until forming the hip hop duo The Color Changin’ Click with labelmate Paul Wall in 2002. The two signed with Houston's Paid in Full Entertainment to release the collaborative album Get Ya Mind Correct×Get Ya Mind Correct25 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1My Money Gets Jealous3:372N Love Wit My Money4:153Thinkin’ Thoed3:474Skit0:585Falsifying4:176U Owe Me3:227Skit0:088The Other Day4:119Game Over4:1110I Wanna Get3:2811Balla Talk II4:2112Go Grind4:0313Skit0:2614Luv N My Life3:2715U Already Know3:2716Play Dirty4:0517Outro0:22 (2002), which entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Seriki signed with Universal Records as a solo act in 2005. His debut studio album, The Sound of Revenge×The Sound of Revenge1 January 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1The Sound of Revenge (intro)3:192In the Trunk4:383Turn It Up4:344Ridin’5:035No Snitchin’4:336Southern Takeover5:177Radio Interruption3:288Frontin’4:119Grown and Sexy4:0310Think I’m Crazy5:0411Rain5:1112Picture Perfect4:4913Fly as the Sky4:5914Peepin’ Me4:2115Void in My Life4:4116Outro3:09 (2005), peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200 and received critical praise, along with his second album, Ultimate Victory×Ultimate Victory18 September 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1The Morning News3:582Hip Hop Police4:113Standing Ovation4:274Won’t Let You Down4:385Industry Groupie3:336Pimp Mode5:227Rock Star5:018(skit)3:059The Bill Collecta3:5210The Ultimate Vacation4:0611Come Back to the Streets4:5212I Think I Love You4:4413The Evening News4:0814Welcome to the South4:1215You Must Be Crazy4:5416We Breakin Up4:4017Stuck in the Ghetto (skit)1:4518Rocky Road4:5919The Ultimate Victory3:12 (2007). The former was preceded by the singles "Ridin'" (featuring Krayzie Bone) — which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Rap Performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards — and "Turn It Up" (featuring Lil' Flip), while the latter was preceded by "Hip Hop Police×Hip Hop Police22 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hip Hop Police4:12" (featuring Slick Rick) and notable for its lack of profanity. His 2009 pop rap single, "Good Morning×Good Morning13 October 2009 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Good Morning3:33", peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 was intended to lead his third album, Venom, which was never released.
In 2011, Chamillionaire left Universal Records and released his first independent extended play (EP), Ammunition×Ammunition20 March 2012 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Your Connect1:182Running Laps4:363You Gon Learn (early Service)4:184All Mine3:265On My Way4:406Let's Get That3:417Won't Change4:248You Gon Learn (Late Service)2:399Never Enough4:15, in March 2012. His second EP, Elevate, was released in February 2013, followed by his third, Reignfall×Reignfall23 July 2013 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Here We Go2:172Keep Drivin’3:433Go Get It4:454Cloud 94:005Reign Fall4:276Eatin’3:357Here We Go Again4:11, in July of that year. Prior, he released the mixtape series Mixtape Messiah from 2004 to 2009.
He was the founder of the Color Changin' Click, which was formed in 2001 and disbanded in 2005. Chamillionaire founded Chamillitary Entertainment in 2004. He joined Los Angeles–based venture capital firm Upfront Ventures in 2015, and has since focused on numerous entrepreneurial and business endeavors. He co-created the now-defunct social media app Convoz in January 2018.

Early life

Chamillionaire was born to a Muslim Yoruba father from Nigeria 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 the Acres Homes neighborhood of northwest Houston. He attended Jersey Village High School alongside rap partner Paul Wall.
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 southern 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 three years younger than him, Rasaq Seriki, who is also an occasional rapper and a past member of The Color Changin' Click.

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×Get Ya Mind Correct25 June 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1My Money Gets Jealous3:372N Love Wit My Money4:153Thinkin’ Thoed3:474Skit0:585Falsifying4:176U Owe Me3:227Skit0:088The Other Day4:119Game Over4:1110I Wanna Get3:2811Balla Talk II4:2112Go Grind4:0313Skit0:2614Luv N My Life3:2715U Already Know3:2716Play Dirty4:0517Outro0:22, 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×Mixtape Messiah 224 December 2006 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Guess Who’s Back (intro)4:092Hip Hop Warning3:453Hip Hop Is Dead (skit)2:064She Gonna Already Know2:585Let ’em Know4:136Tryin’ to Change Me2:417Chamillionare Speaks1:408Picture Me Rollin’3:029Game Gonna Cost a Fee2:5710Game Gonna Cost a Fee Break3:0611Ridin’ Overseas3:1212Show Me What Ya Got4:4813Answer Machine 22:1114Chamillitary Radio (skit)2:2915International Money2:2616I Run It2:1517Get Ya Umbrellas Out3:2918Get Ya Umbrella Break1:5919Man Hold Up4:0020Roll Call Reloaded6:1021Outro1:45, 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×Mixtape Messiah 318 July 2007 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Get Ya Burners Out3:512Money Already Made3:173Get on My Level3:044Living Good2:215It's Just Pain2:376The Call0:597Nothin' But Lies3:268Ima Playa Fasho2:489Roy Woods Jr. (skit)1:5410Failure's Not an Option2:1611Got Alot of Options3:0212See It in My Eyes3:2313Don't Hurt 'em Hammer4:2514Roy Woods Jr. (skit 2)0:5615It's On3:3916You a Dummy2:4317Chamillionaire Speaks1:4118Mo Scrilla2:0119The Crowd Goes Wild2:3620Makes Me Stronger2:2721Chamillionaire Speaks 21:1722Rain3:26 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×Ultimate Victory18 September 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1The Morning News3:582Hip Hop Police4:113Standing Ovation4:274Won’t Let You Down4:385Industry Groupie3:336Pimp Mode5:227Rock Star5:018(skit)3:059The Bill Collecta3:5210The Ultimate Vacation4:0611Come Back to the Streets4:5212I Think I Love You4:4413The Evening News4:0814Welcome to the South4:1215You Must Be Crazy4:5416We Breakin Up4:4017Stuck in the Ghetto (skit)1:4518Rocky Road4:5919The Ultimate Victory3:12 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×Hip Hop Police22 June 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hip Hop Police4:12", 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 was "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 No.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, and Disc 2 was released on August 6, 2009. The next day, the Discs 3 and 4 were released for a total of 66 tracks.

On September 29, it was officially announced that Chamillionaire's third album would indeed be entitled Venom after a fan vote on his website. The first single from this upcoming album was titled "Good Morning×Good Morning13 October 2009 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Good Morning3:33". 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, Major Pain×Major Pain2 February 2010 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Warn You3:382Price of Failure4:193I’ma Rep Texas2:284Feels Good2:105I’m Reloaded3:286All Black1:207Pursuit of Cream2:508Forgive You1:459Leanin’3:0110No Complaints2:2911I’m Focused3:0412Houston Up High2:0613Sittin on Chrome2:3614Everybody Hates a Snitch2:1215Triangle Formation2:1916Koopa Don’t Care2:1217Salute Your General3:2818Story to Tell6:43, through his website 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×The Main Event8 June 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Main Event4:23", on February 11, 2010, via free download. It features fellow Texas rappers Paul Wall, Slim Thug and 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 canceled as Chamillionaire has parted ways with Universal.
Venom was later released on DatPiff in 2011 as a bootlegged mixtape made by the fans.

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 was not allowed to release Venom or any material recorded during that time. He was then working on a new series called Playlist Poison and released 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×Charlie Sheen9 March 2011 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Charlie Sheen4:39" 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×Major Pain 1.518 April 2011 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Already Dead (intro)3:562War to Your Door3:083Slow City Don4:234Slow It Down4:265Next Flight Up3:166Never Come Down Break4:047This My World5:248King Me2:099Chandelier Ceiling3:5510Livin' Better Now2:2111Gotta Be the Baddest4:1112Naked Man (skit)2:0213When Ya On4:0414Think About It2:4815My Toy Soldier3:1116Stay Screwed 'n' Chopped3:2317Forever Be a King Break1:1618Tone for Life2:3619Wake Up (outro)4:13 for free download from his website, and subsequently released three other mixtapes entitled Badazz Freemixes, Badazz Freemixes 2 and Badazz Slowmixes.
Chamillionaire's eight song EP titled Ammunition×Ammunition20 March 2012 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Your Connect1:182Running Laps4:363You Gon Learn (early Service)4:184All Mine3:265On My Way4:406Let's Get That3:417Won't Change4:248You Gon Learn (Late Service)2:399Never Enough4:15 was released for digital download on March 20, 2012, and all physical bundles were released on March 27, 2012. His third studio album, Poison, was initially announced for a 2013 release, but is still unreleased as of February 2020.
In 2012, Chamillionaire was featured on the track "Mayday" from the Krizz Kaliko album Kickin' and Screamin' as well as the single "Keep Pushing" from the Saigon album The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses.
On the December 4, 2012, Chamillionaire released the single "Show Love" featuring D.A. of Chester French to iTunes. This was the only music video he released in 2012, although he appeared in the music video for the song "No Room in Hell×No Room in Hell31 December 2012 · Single · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1No Room in Hell4:09" for the video game Dead Island: Riptide.

2013–2015: EPs, finalizing Poison

On January 17, 2013, Chamillionaire announced he had been working on a new extended play, stating that it would be one of many he would release to promote Poison. The seven-song EP, titled Elevate, was released on February 12, 2013. Elevate featured no guest artists.
Chamillionaire announced that despite leaving Universal, Poison was likely to be released through a major label, unlike the various promotional EPs. On July 23, 2013, Chamillionaire released Reignfall, his third EP. 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" featuring Tami LaTrell, in recognition of the TV show Breaking Bad. The single "Go Getta" followed on February 28 and "End of a Knife×End of a Knife21 February 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1End of a Knife5:38", produced by Kato, was released on March 21, 2014.

Since 2015: Entrepreneurial career, hiatus and return to music

Since 2015, Chamillionaire has been appointed as an entrepreneur in residence for Upfront Ventures. During this time he has given more focus to his entrepreneurial career than music. He was featured on one single titled "Sweet Dreams" by BeatKing in the same year. Chamillionaire released volume 3 of his Greatest Verses on April 3, 2018, which contained a collection of non-album songs recorded from 2007 to 2014. After a two-year break, he returned to music in 2017 where he was featured on Trae tha Truth's single, "I'm On 3.0". A music video for the single was released in January 2019, and was the first time in six years that Chamillionaire made a music video appearance. He was featured on the song "Diamonds in the Sky" by Big Pokey which also featured Texan rappers Killa Kyleon and Kirko Bangz and was released in September 2021. On July 12, 2022, he appeared as a featured artist again on the single "Been Broke" by Tobe Nwigwe alongside 2 Chainz.
Since 2010, Chamillionaire has stated his third album Poison is in the works. As of 2023, there is no set release date for the project.

2003–2005: Fly Rydes and record label

In addition to being a musician, Seriki has embarked a business career and established himself as an entrepreneur in a number of industries. In 2003, he ventured into one of his earliest investments in a Houston-based auto dealer and car customization shop, Fly Rydes Kustom Toy'z. 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."
Seriki founded his own record label; Chamillitary Entertainment. Seriki 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.

2006–2008: Masterpiece Mind Frame & Tour Bus Company

Seriki opened up a modelling company, called Masterpiece Mind Frame. He believes it is his way of giving back to those who have things to offer, he says, but do not 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 modelling 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. He founded the company in 2006 after seeing the business potential from touring around the US after the release of The Sound of Revenge as a rapper. In addition, most of the tour buses have internet, cable, studio, DVD, surround sound and a shower.

2009–2014: Maker Studios

Chamillionaire met Mark Suster in 2009, an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist who is a managing partner at Upfront Ventures. Chamillionaire invested in the Upfront-funded online video talent agency, Maker Studios.
On November 4, 2009, Chamillionaire also 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.
Seriki also invested in Cruise Automation, a self-driving automation tech company, during its startup stage in 2013. This investment proved successful after it sold to General Motors for over $1 billion in 2016. The self-driving company includes features such as a kit in which customers can transform their vehicles to include self-driving technology.
On March 24, 2014, Maker Studios, Inc. agreed to sell itself to The Walt Disney Company for $500 million, rising to $950 million if financial milestones were met. Chamillionaire's investment in Maker Studios was $1.5 million and his payout was reported to be over $20 million. This investment forged a partnership between Chamillionaire and Mark in which Suster realised Seriki wanted to establish himself the tech industry. On April 14, 2014, Relativity Media submitted a competing bid of up to $1.1 billion, but Maker denied the bid. In December 2015, the company became a subsidiary of Disney Consumer Products and the Disney Interactive division of The Walt Disney Company. The Network also partnered with Fusion TV in a deal that falls under the corporate umbrella of The Walt Disney Company.

2014–2016: Upfront Ventures

Seriki invested in Lyft in 2015. In a 2019 interview with CNBC, he said that he sees great potential with Lyft and that he will keep his investment in the company for a long time.
On February 23, 2015, Upfront Ventures, the largest early-stage fund raised in L.A since 2000, confirmed that Chamillionaire was appointed as an entrepreneur in residence. 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." 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."

2017–2021: Convoz

Seriki teased that he was working on something bigger than music in summer 2017 as part of being an EIR at Upfront Ventures with a soft launch of the social media app. In February 2018, at the Upfront Summit, Seriki announced Convoz, a social media app which allows an influencer to connect directly with his fans. Seriki describes the app as a "the place where you go to talk to people." and the launch comes after he "just wasn't happy with the communication channels that are currently existing on social media." The app permits users to share 15-second clips, which are usually addressed to celebrities. The celebrities can then decide which fan or user they can reply to, individually or all to see. The startup has a total of seven employees, and has cultivated an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Greycroft Ventures, Upfront Ventures, 500 Startups, Precursor VC, Okapi Ventures, XG Ventures, and a roster of angels including Justin Kan and Snoop Dogg.
In May 2019, Seriki, in an interview with Yahoo! Finance, announced that they are going to invest $25,000 into a startup founded and managed by a woman or person of color alongside rapper E-40. The move came after it was published that Caucasians make up 87% of Venture Capital-backed CEO's and 97% of those positions are held by men. In September 2019, Seriki invested in Atoms, the first footwear company to come in quarter sizes. The investment was led by Initialized Capital, the investment firm started by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Garry Tan. After seeing the success of his initial $25,000 investment pledge, Seriki and E-40 launched another, much larger, $100,000 competition for minority or woman start-ups. Shark Tank judge Daymond John and Republic.co also joined the team to narrow the search. The winner of the competition was Pierre Laguerre and it was announced in January 2020. His startup idea was "Fleeting Pro", a company that links certified class A & B drivers to trucking companies for scheduled, on-demand transportation needs.

Since 2022: Access Club

In May 2022, Seriki's tech company X Empire Inc. released the beta for the Access Club app, the private members-only social club was made for private investing and deals and gives members exclusive access to startups and companies looking to connect with people of influence.

Personal life

Chamillionaire 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."
On June 3, 2010, Chamillionaire's third mortgage property home was foreclosed on by the bank. The rapper told TMZ in a public video claiming to have given it back to the bank after paying just over US$2 million on it and claims it was a bad investment and he was never in it.

Feud with 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 a long time ago, but nobody believed us."