Chamillionaire, born Hakeem Seriki, is a Grammy-winning rapper, entrepreneur, and tech investor with an estimated net worth of $50 million. Rising to fame in the mid-2000s with his hit single “Ridin’” featuring Krayzie Bone, Chamillionaire quickly became a household name in hip-hop. While his music career brought him mainstream recognition, his true financial success came from smart business ventures and early investments in technology companies. Today, he stands as one of the most financially successful rappers who transitioned from the stage to the boardroom.

Chamillionaire was born on November 28, 1979, in Washington, D.C., before moving with his family to Houston, Texas, at the age of three. Growing up in Houston, he attended Jersey Village High School, where his passion for rap began to take shape. He also grew up with his younger brother, Rasaq Seriki, who would later pursue a career in rap as well.

His stage name, “Chamillionaire,” combines the words chameleon and millionaire, symbolizing his adaptability and ambition.

Chamillionaire’s career began in Houston’s thriving mixtape scene, where he collaborated with fellow rapper Paul Wall. Together, they formed The Color Changin’ Click and gained attention through freestyles on DJ Michael “5000” Watts’ mixtapes. Their independent album, “Get Ya Mind Correct” (2002), sold over 150,000 copies and was nominated by The Source for Independent Album of the Year.

Chamillionaire launched his solo career with the release of “The Sound of Revenge” in 2005 under Universal Records and his own label, Chamillitary Entertainment. The album debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200, was certified Platinum, and featured the global hit “Ridin’”. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007.

His second album, “Ultimate Victory” (2007), was notable for containing no profanity, a unique move in the hip-hop world. Although his third planned album, “Venom,” was never released, Chamillionaire continued to drop mixtapes, including his popular Mixtape Messiah series, which became a Texas staple.

While many rappers focused solely on music, Chamillionaire shifted his attention to business early on. In 2003, he invested in Fly Rydes, a Houston car customization company. He later founded Masterpiece Mind Frame, a modeling and personal development agency.

The real breakthrough came in tech investments. In 2009, he invested $1.5 million in Maker Studios, a digital media network. When Disney acquired the company in 2014 for up to $950 million, Chamillionaire reportedly earned more than $20 million. This deal opened the door to Silicon Valley, where he built a reputation as a savvy investor.

His portfolio includes early investments in:

In 2015, Chamillionaire became the first rapper to serve as entrepreneur-in-residence at Upfront Ventures, a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm.

In 2018, he launched Convoz, a social video app designed to connect celebrities with fans. Later, in 2019, he teamed up with E-40 and Daymond John (Shark Tank) to host a startup pitch competition for minority and female entrepreneurs.

Most recently, in 2022, his company X Empire Inc. launched Access Club, an exclusive platform linking investors with startups, further proving his dedication to diversifying opportunities in the venture capital world.

Chamillionaire’s music career has earned him multiple accolades, including:

Beyond music, he is celebrated as a trailblazer for Black entrepreneurs in tech and has become a mentor for underrepresented founders.

With an estimated net worth of $50 million, Chamillionaire stands as one of the wealthiest rappers to successfully transition from music into business and tech.