I’ve been a fan of chamillionaire for a long time, and have been jamming the Mixtape Messiah 4 bonus disc (39.99 new and 107.40 used?!!?!?) continuously for the last week.   Koopa leaked his own music video this week, and whether it was just a ploy to say “Universal doesn’t want you too see this yet” or not, remains to be seen.  It seems to be filtering quickly through the net and Universal doesn’t look like it’s pulling the plug on anyone who posts it.

The, umm, second(?) single from Venom after ‘Creepin’ Solo’ hit earlier this year is the ’smile in the face of your enemy’ anthem, ‘Good Morning.’  Chamillionaire made a name for himself using a braggadocious baller style, describing his wealth and possessions with witty similies and metaphors, and his songs were always glued together with catchy, poppy hooks.

The video is reminiscent of The Roots “What They Do” video from Illadelph HalfLife.  However instead of pointing out the ridiculous cliches contained in most rap videos, Chamillionaire embraces them.  Electronic price tags pop up for every aspect of the production.  From the cost of the sunglasses he wears in an Aston Martin, to the disposable women in his life during the opening shot(Miss June is quickly crossed out only to be replaced by a bright-eyed Miss July).  I respect Chamillionaire as a business man, and how he has grown as an artist, a video treatment like this almost seems like a step back.  I like watching his video blogs and reading his tweets about how things in the industry aren’t always as they appear.  but I think I almost would have respected a re-hash of the the Roots video showing that these things are image and not necessarily real, but I also understand that the video is a message to ‘haters’, and haters love to complain about someone who is doing better than they are.

At the end of the day (Charles Barkley Tone), I’m anticipating the new album from Chamillionaire.  The song is really unlike any he’s put out as a single in the past.  ‘Hip Hop Police’ from “Ultimate Victory” seemed like a redeux of ‘Ridin’ from “The Sound of Revenge,” and instead of a sneering cynicism, Cham is approaching the track with a light hearted charm.  Positivity in a world full of negativity, I can ride with that.