Wall's first music industry exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern artists such as T.I. and labels like Cash Money and The New No Limit. He is also an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now-well-known screwed & chopped style, which was invented by the late DJ Screw. While he has recently stated on record that South LE. (in Houston's southside) is his base of operations, it is not the neighborhood that Paul Wall is actually from. Paul Wall has claimed several such neighborhoods over his career, starting with De Soto in Acres Homes (his original home neighborhood), then switching to Gulf Bank (also in Acres Homes).
Paul Wall, Chamillionaire and Jon Higgins were originally affiliated with Swishahouse Records, but left for Paid in Full Records a short time later. After several mixtape and independent releases, including the critically acclaimed 'Get Ya Mind Correct', the two parted ways on bad terms. Chamillionaire continued to release independent records, while Paul Wall returned to the Swishahouse fold. This move allowed him to appear on Mike Jones' first commercially distributed single, "Still Tippin'", from his first major label album 'Who Is Mike Jones?'.
His major label debut, 'The People's Champ', has produced a lead single, "Sittin' Sidewayz", which is receiving national radio and television play. In August, 2005, rumors began to circulate that Paul Wall and Chamillionaire had settled any differences that remained between them, and are again on good terms with one another. Paul Wall also appeared with GLC on the song "Drive Slow" on Kanye West's second solo album, 'Late Registration'.
Paul Wall is the owner and proprietor of TV Jewelry in Houston. The store specializes in the production of grills, silver, gold, or platinum caps and diamond inlays (usually princess-cut diamonds). Grills have become a growing trend in rap culture and have even influenced its own song. "Grillz", by Nelly featuring Paul Wall along with other artists, where at one point Paul raps "Call me George Foreman 'cause I'm sellin' everybody grillz.)
Am What I Am
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see I am what I am, and it is what it is
You'd feel how I feel, if you been where I been
Live what I live, see what I see
So get out my ear, and just let me be
I'm a survivor of the struggle, I lived life hard
No dad, the only role model I had
Was a ounce of that white powder, in a Ziplock bag
I don't brag about the struggles, I endured as a child
You don't know the pain I went through, to create this smile
I got one life to live, know I'm tal'n bout
So I enjoy it, cause I earned everything that I got
They hate what I got, I hear em with they cape talk
They thinking that my life, was a cake walk
I'm a man of principles, I live by my word
So it's obscured, when I hear sour words
They gon get what they deserve, but I don't wish no harm
What goes around comes around, so partna you been warned
In the midst of all the trouble, I still remain calm
Cause sunny days, will follow the storm man, just let me be
You see I am what I am, and it is what it is
You'd feel how I feel, if you been where I been
Live what I live, see what I see
So get out my ear, and just let me be
You see I am what I am, and it is what it is
You'd feel how I feel, if you been where I been
Live what I live, see what I see
So get out my ear, and just let me be
Somebody questioned, if I got the right to recite what I spit
'Cause I've never been indicted, or divided a brick
But my life is grit, all types of crisis and shit
I decided to risk it all, to try to slide in the mix
And get what I can get, see I'm fighting negative bars
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but no one said it be hard
As it is, I mean the evil in the heart of these men
Got me wondering, if I'll ever see the reward
At the end of the road, it's kind of hard to remember your goals
When you grow where, not many live to get old
I played the cards that I was given, and never listen to those
Who think different
The lyrics to Paul Wall's song "Am What I Am" paint a vivid picture of his life growing up in the struggles of the Texas ghetto. He boldly proclaims that he is who he is, and it is what it is, implying that he has embraced his life experiences and is not ashamed of them. The first verse talks about his tough upbringing with a single mother who had half a job and no father figure in his life. He saw his only role model as being the ounces of white powder his mother sold in ziplock bags. Paul Wall asserts that he doesn't brag about his childhood struggles and the pain he went through to create his smile, urging others to let him be.
In the second verse, Paul Wall talks about the challenges he faced while trying to make a successful career in the music industry, especially as a white rapper. He states that someone questioned if he had the right to rap about his life experiences because he'd never been indicted or divided a brick. He continues to say that his life story is one of grit, facing all types of crisis and deciding to risk it all to try to slide into the mix and get what he can get. He talks about the challenges he faced in fighting negative bars and the evil in the hearts of men. Despite his struggles, he has persevered and played the cards that he was given, never listening to those who think differently.
Overall, the song is an anthem of empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace their struggles and challenges and never give up on their dreams. Paul Wall's life story is a testament to resilience and determination, and he uses his platform to inspire others to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
You see I am what I am, and it is what it is
I am who I am, and my situation is as it is.
You'd feel how I feel, if you been where I been
If you had gone through the same experiences as me, you would understand.
Live what I live, see what I see
Experience everything I have experienced and see things from my perspective.
So get out my ear, and just let me be
Stop trying to influence me and respect my individuality.
I'm a survivor of the struggle, I lived life hard
I have overcome difficult circumstances and have lived a challenging life.
Single mama with half a job, I was raised by God
Being raised by a single mother who had a low-paying job, I had to rely on my faith to persevere.
No dad, the only role model I had
Without a father, I had to look for other sources of inspiration.
Was a ounce of that white powder, in a Ziplock bag
Unfortunately, drugs were present in my environment and became a part of my life.
I don't brag about the struggles, I endured as a child
I do not take pride in the struggles I had to overcome as a child.
You don't know the pain I went through, to create this smile
You cannot comprehend the difficulty I faced that led me to smile despite the pain.
I got one life to live, know I'm tal'n bout
I only have one life to live and I am aware of this fact.
So I enjoy it, cause I earned everything that I got
I take pleasure in my life because I have worked hard to achieve my current position.
They hate what I got, I hear em with they cape talk
Some people are envious of my success and make negative comments.
They thinking that my life, was a cake walk
They believe that my success came easy and without effort.
I'm a man of principles, I live by my word
I am a person who values my principles and stands by my word.
So it's obscured, when I hear sour words
Negative words make it difficult for me to remain positive.
They gon get what they deserve, but I don't wish no harm
Those who speak negatively will receive consequences, but I do not wish them harm.
What goes around comes around, so partna you been warned
Bad things that are done to others will come back to haunt those who do them.
In the midst of all the trouble, I still remain calm
Despite difficulties, I remain peaceful.
Cause sunny days, will follow the storm man, just let me be
Better days will follow hard times, so let me be myself.
Somebody questioned, if I got the right to recite what I spit
Someone questioned whether I had the authority to say what I do.
'Cause I've never been indicted, or divided a brick
Since I have never been arrested or sold drugs, they questioned my legitimacy.
But my life is grit, all types of crisis and shit
My life has been filled with difficult situations and hardship.
I decided to risk it all, to try to slide in the mix
I took a chance and decided to join in the risky situations.
And get what I can get, see I'm fighting negative bars
I am working hard to overcome negative situations and obtain success.
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but no one said it be hard
I was aware that achieving success would not come easy, but nobody told me just how difficult it would be.
As it is, I mean the evil in the heart of these men
People can be malicious and cause a lot of damage to others.
Got me wondering, if I'll ever see the reward
The actions of others make me question whether I will ever receive the reward I deserve.
At the end of the road, it's kind of hard to remember your goals
As we approach the end of our journey, it can be difficult to remember what we originally set out to achieve.
When you grow where, not many live to get old
When you come from an area where people often do not live long, it can be difficult to stay on track.
I played the cards that I was given, and never listen to those
I accepted the hand that life dealt me and did not listen to naysayers.
Who think different
I did not pay attention to those who had a different way of thinking.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CALVIN EARL AVENT, TODD BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Landoverking legend in real life
Still looking for it
Bob Upsahl
Ima survival of the struggle. I live life hard. Single momma with half a job , I was raised by god. No dad, the only role model I had was oz of white powder in a Ziploc bag. Sheeeeeit still banign 2023
shade trimble
only reason his click is small is cause its a DTA world...meaning his small click shows he trusts very few people..thats my opinion
Jayoterik hip hop mc
why is there 1 dislike on all this album lol paul wall got a mad hater , who did u piss off dude? :P
Landoverking legend in real life
Where DA screwed version
47997137x
I said "dick," not "click," and I was referring to the hater who gave this a dislike.
Brandon
Breath dont fight
Brandon
Still a waste of me but its good thinking
Brandon
Stay out the chat the voices
trevor wilmer
@amanda45962 me, too!