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Paul Wall

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Not to be confused with Paul Wahl.
Paul Wall
Paul Wall in 2022
Paul Wall in 2022
Background information
Birth namePaul Michael Slayton
Born (1981-03-11) March 11, 1981 (age 43)
Georgetown, Texas, U.S.
OriginHouston, Texas, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • disc jockey
Years active1998–present
Labels
Formerly of
Children2
Websitewww.paulwallworld.com

Paul Michael Slayton (born March 11, 1981),[1] better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper and DJ. He has spent much of his career affiliated with Swishahouse, and has released several albums under the label and collaborated with numerous other rappers signed to the label. He began his career performing alongside fellow Houstonian Chamillionaire, with whom he released several albums, including 2002's independently released Get Ya Mind Correct. By 2005, he was signed to Atlantic Records and became successful with his major label debut The Peoples Champ, which was followed up by Get Money, Stay True released in 2007.[2] He has been nominated for one Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group for the song "Grillz", his collaboration with rapper Nelly.

Career

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Swishahouse (1998–2005)

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Wall attended Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years.[3][4] Wall's first music exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern labels like Cash Money and No Limit Records.

After proposing to do promotions for Michael "5000" Watts' company Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to 97.9 the Box (KBXX), Watts' radio station.[5] Paul and Chamillionaire convinced Watts to let them rap on his radio show and put the verses on one of his mixtapes. That mixtape was titled Choppin Em Up Part 2, which was released in mid-1999. The freestyle became so popular locally that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts' mixtapes and became permanent members of Swishahouse.

After fellow member Slim Thug left the label, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall followed suit and the two started their own group known as The Color Changin' Click (named after Chamillionaire's chameleon persona). Each successive mixtape released by The Color Changin' Click led to more business opportunities; the most notable of which was a contract to do a full album for Paid in Full Records. A one-album contract was negotiated between the Color Changin' Click and Paid in Full's label head, DJ Madd Hatta from 97.9 The Box, and the CCC's first album, Get Ya Mind Correct, would go on to sell over 200,000 copies.

Wall is also an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now well-known chopped and screwed style, which was invented by DJ Screw.[6]

In 2004, Wall returned to Swishahouse and appeared on Mike Jones' first commercially distributed single, "Still Tippin'".[7]

Solo success (2005–2007)

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"Paul Wall, wearing grills, poses for a picture with a smiling soldier, also clad in grills."
Paul Wall shows off his grills with a smiling soldier in Baghdad, 2007

In 2005, Paul Wall released his first album, The Peoples Champ, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.[8] The first single was "Sittin' Sidewayz" featuring Big Pokey, which peaked at no. 34 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and no. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9][1][10] The second single, "They Don't Know", featured Bun B of UGK, and the video version also featured Mike Jones. The third single, "Girl", became the most successful single off The Peoples Champ, peaking at no. 35 on the Hot 100.[10]

In November 2005, Paul Wall was featured on Nelly's Grillz, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2007, Wall released his second album Get Money, Stay True, which debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album spawned the singles "Break 'Em Off" featuring Lil Keke, and "I'm Throwed" featuring and produced by Jermaine Dupri. "Break 'Em Off" peaked at no. 72 on the Hot 100 and no. 58 on the R&B charts, and "I'm Throwed" peaked at no. 87 on the Hot 100 and no. 47 on R&B.[10][9]

Paul Wall was a member of the rap group Expensive Taste, with his friends Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob (Transplants).[11]

In 2007, Paul Wall appeared alongside other celebrities in the music video for "Rockstar" by Nickelback. He appeared on reggae artist Collie Buddz's self-titled debut album.[12]

Other projects and newer releases (Since 2008)

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Paul Wall performing in Baghdad, 2007

In the spring of 2008, Paul Wall joined Strange Music recording artist Tech N9ne on a nationwide tour, which featured rapper Ill Bill.

Paul Wall appears as fictional rapper Grillionaire in the movie I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, released on September 25, 2009. He, along with screenwriters Nils Parker and Tucker Max, co-wrote tracks for the movie.

In 2010, Paul Wall featured on the album Przyjaźń, Duma, Godność, (English: Friendship, Pride, Dignity) by Polish rap artist Kaczor. He also collaborated with Limp Bizkit on the song "Middle Finger", which appeared on the band's 2011 album Gold Cobra.[13][14]

In October 2011, Paul Wall collaborated with Silicon Valley–based social and mobile game company Jump Shot Media to create the world's first mobile battle rap game, Battle Rap Stars. Paul is featured as the "main event" and is the rapper to beat in order to win the game.[15] On March 7, 2012, Paul Wall released a mixtape entitled No Sleep Til Houston.[16] Paul Wall released a collaboration mixtape with Slim Thug for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.[17]

On December 10, 2013, Paul Wall released his seventh studio album, an 11-track offering, titled CheckSeason, which featured contributions from Stunna Bam, Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, Lil Keke, Kid Ink and Young Dolph. The record was released independently via his Paul Wall Music imprint.[18]

Paul Wall followed up Check Season on December 2, 2014, with the release of his eighth studio album, titled The Po-Up Poet which was produced by June "The Jenius" James. According to a Vibe magazine article in November 2014, "The almost circus-like production reestablishes the idea that as long as Wall's been in the game, he's been a beloved Texas rap legend".[19][20]

On September 25, 2015, Paul Wall followed up The Po-Up Poet with his ninth studio album, titled SlabGod which contains the single "Swangin' In The Rain". On March 11, 2016, Wall released a remix of "Swangin' In The Rain" which features Slim Thug, Lil' Keke, J-Dawg, Z-Ro, and Chamillionaire. On October 21, 2016, he followed up SlabGod with his ninth album, titled Houston Oiler, released in October 2016. In February 2017, he released the mixtape Diamond Boyz with rapper C Stone. His tenth album Bounce Back Over Setbacks was released on January 19, 2018. His eleventh album, Mind Over Matter followed in March 2020. On June 5, 2020, Wall released a mixtape with Lil Keke, titled Slab Talk.

Acting career

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During his break from rapping, Paul Wall appeared in Furnace with Ja Rule. He appeared in the 2009 film I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell along with Jesse Bradford and Matt Czuchry. He was in the 2010 science fiction film Xtinction: Predator X.[21] In 2014 he starred in Isaac Yowman's independently released theatrical film "The Holy Spoof" which sold out in all of its theater showings before its digital stream release online.[22]

Musical style and image

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AllMusic critic Andy Kellman described Wall's rapping style as having a "thick but swift Southern drawl" whose lyrics had "countless local slang terms (slabs, swangas, candy paint, tippin') that necessitate a glossary for many listeners."[23]

Personal life

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Wall is married and has two children.[24][25] In 2010, he went on an extreme diet and had gastric sleeve surgery,[26] resulting in an over 100 lb. weight loss.[27]

During the 2008 United States presidential election, Wall supported Democratic candidate Barack Obama.[28] He is a devoted fan of the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and the Houston Astros.[29][30]

Controversy

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Chamillionaire

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On November 19, 2004, Wall and his entourage allegedly attacked Chamillionaire's younger brother, Rasaq Seriki, 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".[31]

The dispute ended in 2010, when the pair reunited for a full tour. 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."

Discography

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Main article: Paul Wall discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role
2006 Furnace Joey Robbins
2009 I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell Grillionaire
2010 Ghetto Stories Prison Inmate
Alligator X Froggy
2011 Cash or Crash
2014 The Holy Spot
2017 2 Aces and a Dirty Heart
Mo
2022 The Pull Up Tour

Video games

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Awards and nominations

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Ozone Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Paul Wall Taste Maker (Style and Trendsetter) Won
"I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)" (Remix) Best Rap/R&B Collaboration Won
"Holla at Me" Best Rap Collaboration Won

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 "Grillz" Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Paul Wall Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Paul Wall Biography". Atlantic Records. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  3. ^ Dansby, Andrew (May 8, 2009). "Rapper Paul Wall is all smiles lately". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Paul Wall...the people's champ". AskMen.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "Paul Wall World – Interview". Paulwallworld.com. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  6. ^ "Paul Wall | New Music Release | Rapindustry.Com Promotion". Rapindustry.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  7. ^ Sarig, Roni (March 22, 2007). "Houston Hip-Hop". Houston Press. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Harris, Chris (September 21, 2005). "Kanye West Falls To Peoples Champ Paul Wall". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 30, 2005. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Paul Wall". Billboard.
  10. ^ a b c "Paul Wall". Billboard.
  11. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (February 16, 2007). "Travis Barker Gets Down With Paul Wall, Juelz Santana While Arm Heals". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  12. ^ Watson, Margeaux (July 6, 2007). "Collie Budz". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. ^ Blabbermouth (June 15, 2011). "LIMP BIZKIT's FRED DURST Says He 'Really Connects' With KURT COBAIN". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Limp Bizkit Unveil Gold Cobra Album Cover Art | Under the Gun Review". Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  15. ^ "Paul Wall Featured in Mobile Battle Rap Game". allhiphop.com. October 31, 2011.
  16. ^ "Paul Wall – No Sleep Til Houston Hosted by DJ Drama // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. March 26, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  17. ^ "Slim Thug "Welcome 2 Texas Vol. 3"". Hotnewhiphop.com. February 16, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  18. ^ "Stream Paul Wall's "#CheckSeason" LP In Its Entirety". Hotnewhiphop.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Paul Wall Kindly Asks For 'No Favors'". Vibe.
  20. ^ Rose Lilah (December 2, 2014). "Paul Wall Releases Stream For New Album "The Po-Up Poet"". HotNewHipHop.
  21. ^ Xtinction (2010), IMDB.com
  22. ^ "Hot Trailer: Paul Wall in The Holy Spoof". BET.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  23. ^ Kellman, Andy. "The Peoples Champ: AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  24. ^ Ju, Shirley (November 12, 2020). "Paul Wall has a strong stance on Black Lives Matter as a white man in America". Revolt. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  25. ^ "Paul Wall Gives Happy Home Tips! Top 7 Family Keepers!". UrbLife.com. June 20, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  26. ^ "Paul Wall's Dramatic Weight Loss! Life Changing Surgery; How He Did It!". UrbLife.com. July 13, 2010.
  27. ^ "Paul Wall and Wife Crystal Go Gangsta! Hot Pics!". UrbLife.com. February 13, 2011.
  28. ^ Dureault, Zoe (December 20, 2014). "Paul Wall: "I Don't Want To Be In a Genre With A Bunch Of White Rappers"". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  29. ^ "I rode around Houston with Paul Wall during Super Bowl week". February 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "Paul Wall Delivers On Promise Of Gold Grillz For Houston Astros".
  31. ^ "Chamillionaire – Go Head (Feat. Rasaq) [Paul Wall Diss]". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  32. ^ "iTunes – Music – Po Up Poet by Paul Wall". iTunes. December 2, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  33. ^ "iTunes – Music – slab god by Paul Wall". iTunes. September 25, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  34. ^ "iTunes – Music – Houston Oiler by Paul Wall". iTunes. October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  35. ^ "iTunes – Music – Bounce Backs over Setbacks by Paul Wall". iTunes. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  36. ^ "iTunes – Music – Mind over Matter by Paul Wall". iTunes. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  37. ^ "iTunes – Music – Subculture by Paul Wall". iTunes. October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  38. ^ "Hall of Fame Hustler by Paul Wall on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  39. ^ "The Great Wall by Paul Wall on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  40. ^ "iTunes – Music – The Legalizers: Legalize or Die, Vol. 1 by Paul Wall & Baby Bash". iTunes. April 15, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  41. ^ "iTunes – Music – Diamond Boyz by Paul Wall & C Stone". iTunes. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  42. ^ "iTunes – Music – The Legalizers, Vol. 2: Indoor Grow by Paul Wall & Baby Bash". iTunes. April 20, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  43. ^ "Statik Selektah & Paul Wall Announce Joint EP". November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  44. ^ "iTunes – Music – Slab Talk by Paul Wall & Lil' Keke". iTunes. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  45. ^ "Start 2 Finish by Paul Wall & Termanology on Apple Music". Apple Music. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  46. ^ "The Legalizers 3: Plant Based by Paul Wall & Baby Bash on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 10, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  47. ^ "Start Finish Repeat by Paul Wall & Termanology on Apple Music". Apple Music. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
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