Paul Wall

Paul Michael Slayton (born March 11, 1981), better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper and DJ. He has spent much of his career affiliated with Swishahouse Records, 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''. In 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'' followed in 2007. 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

Swishahouse (1998–2005)

Wall attended Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years. 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. 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's first music exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern labels like Def Jam Records, Cash Money and No Limit Records. He is an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now well-known chopped & screwed style, which was invented by DJ Screw.

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

Solo success (2005–2007)

In 2005, Paul Wall released his first album, ''The Peoples Champ'', which debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200. 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. 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.

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.

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

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.

Other projects and newer releases (2008–present)

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.

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. On March 7, 2012, Paul Wall released a mixtape entitled ''No Sleep Til Houston''. Paul Wall released a collaboration mixtape with Slim Thug for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.

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.

Paul Wall followed up ''Check Season'' on December 2, 2014, with the release of his eight 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".

On September 25, 2015, Paul Wall followed up ''The Po-Up Poet'' with his eight 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

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''. 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.

Musical style and image

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."

Personal life

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

In 2008, Wall supported Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Wall supports the Black Lives Matter movement.

Controversy

Chamillionaire

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".

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

;Studio albums
* '' Chick Magnet'' (2004)
* ''The Peoples Champ'' (2005)
* '' Get Money, Stay True'' (2007)
* '' Fast Life'' (2009)
* '' Heart of a Champion'' (2010)
* '' #Checkseason'' (2013)
* ''The Po-Up Poet'' (2014)
* ''Slab God'' (2015)
* ''Houston Oiler'' (2016)
* ''Bounce Backs over Setbacks'' (2018)
* ''Mind over Matter'' (2020)
* ''Subculture'' (2020)
* ''Hall of Fame Hustler'' (2021)

;Collaboration albums
* ''Get Ya Mind Correct'' (with Chamillionaire) (2002)
* ''Controversy Sells'' (with Chamillionaire) (2005)
* ''The Legalizers: Legalize or Die, Vol. 1'' (with Baby Bash) (2016)
* ''Diamond Boyz'' (with C Stone) (2017)
* ''The Legalizers, Vol. 2: Indoor Grow'' (with Baby Bash) (2018)
* '' Give Thanks'' (with Statik Selektah) (2019)
* ''Slab Talk'' (with Lil' Keke) (2020)
*''Start 2 Finish'' (with Termanology) (2022)

Filmography

Video games

*2005: '' Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition'' for Xbox and PlayStation 2 – "Sittin' Sidewayz"
*2005: ''SSX on Tour'' for Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 – "Sittin' Sidewayz"
*2005: ''Madden NFL 06'' for Xbox 360 – "They Don't Know" featuring Mike Jones
*2007: '' Def Jam Icon'' for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – '"Sittin' Sidewayz" and "Trill"
*2011: ''Battle Rap Stars'' for iPhone and Android

Awards and nominations

Ozone Awards

, -
, rowspan="3", 2006
, Paul Wall
, Taste Maker (Style and Trendsetter)
,
, -
, "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)" (Remix)
, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration
,
, -
, "Holla at Me"
, Best Rap Collaboration
,

Grammy Awards

, -
, , 2007
, "Grillz"
, Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group
,

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wall, Paul
1981 births
21st-century American rappers
21st-century American male musicians
Living people
American male rappers
Asylum Records artists
Jersey Village High School alumni
Rappers from Houston
Rappers from Texas
Songwriters from Texas
Southern hip hop musicians
University of Houston alumni
Gangsta rappers
Crunk musicians
Expensive Taste members
American male songwriters