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.)
Freestyle
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ice, Ice Man, Ice Man Paul Wall
Ice, Ice Man, Ice Man Paul Wall, baby
Ice top notch, guap over thots
Better give me my props, Tinseltown watch
Tear drop star studded, grill flooded
Big budget, cup muddy, yeah buddy
Kobe Bryant rings on my fists while you piss
Watch this, I can quickly turn heads like a wrench
Whole lot of Benjamins, the opposite of penny pinch
Paul Wall, Catfish Billy
Riff Raff, bitch
I gotta start a business before I start a family
I was age 10, promethazine in the pantry
I don't wanna be fancy, I just want my diamonds dancing
Ten bricks out in Denver, it's the white Marcus Camby
Candy cane Lamborghini, it's the syrup sippin' Santa
Should've won a GRAMMY
Jolly Rancher Fanta, my mansion Miami
Way out your jurisdiction, I keep Versace vision
Moncler mission, guard gated subdivision
The ones that say fuck bitches, man, they probably don't fuck bitches
Surrounded by women since I ain't had a pot to piss in
Made over a million a year since 2013
Clean queen in Celine jeans, let her recruit the whole team
Yeah, I broke the program
Put snow in her nose to a slow jam
The boy's snow ballin', the abominable snowman
Leather and a spiked choker, she woke up and it was no man
Chosen to the bar, I'm chosen
Chewin' her jaw, like skull man
Spittin' these sentences, I sentence you to the row, man
'Cause I, umm, got it locked
Mojo out of control, man
Slow role in a stolen Pontiac through the backroads
Choppin', I got no doughs, man
Bumpin' Billy Ocean
With a flask of that potion
Two cups in a cold Coke can
Two shots of that creek, I'm leakin'
I'm movin' slow, man
Me, Riff and Paul hit the mall with a clique of dogs
In a car, six pistols and no security guards
It's the squad, hangin' tough
Like a thick big broad missing her bra
We the hard pack, like a brick in a car
Catfish
Yeah
The song Freestyle by Paul Wall featuring Riff Raff starts right away with a call to his nickname: "Ice, Ice Man," emphasizing the rapper's obsession with luxury and jewelry status symbols. The lyrics throughout the song make references to various pop culture figures, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and GRAMMY awards, whose association with wealth and exclusivity is often celebrated in hip-hop music culture. Through his words, Paul Wall depicts himself as a self-made millionaire who has come a long way from struggling in poverty (the line "surrounded by women since I ain't had a pot to piss in" attests to this).
What is interesting about the song is that Paul Wall's lyrics are all improvised, as the title suggests. A freestyle is a type of rap that is created on the spot, usually in response to a given beat or a topic, and is performed without any pre-written verses. This technique is commonly used in battling, where two rappers face off against each other and compete for the best verses. The song could have easily fallen apart, but Paul Wall's flow stays tight, and the song keeps a rhythm that feels deliberate.
Another interesting aspect of the song is the extent to which Riff Raff and Paul Wall deliver their verses casually. While both rappers are hyper-focused on the status of wealth and luxury goods, they don't take themselves too seriously. At times, their lyrics are even comical, referencing Santa Claus and candy canes, ski jackets, and Jolly Ranchers. This ironic tone is typical of Paul Wall's style, who is known for his lighthearted mannerisms and self-deprecating humor, which contrast with his hard-hitting beats.
Line by Line Meaning
Ice top notch, guap over thots
My jewelry is of the highest quality, and I am rich with more money than I can spend on women.
Better give me my props, Tinseltown watch
You must appreciate and acknowledge my success so far, as I'm wearing an expensive Tinseltown watch.
Tear drop star studded, grill flooded
My jewelry collection is abundant and expensive, with diamonds all around, even on my grill.
Big budget, cup muddy, yeah buddy
I spend a lot of money, and my drink is codeine laced, with me affirming my agreement.
LeBron James, Riff Raff, the rookie on my wrist
I have wristwear featuring the images of LeBron James and Riff Raff, amongst other affluent brands.
Kobe Bryant rings on my fists while you piss
I'm wearing expensive jewelry on my fists, referencing Kobe Bryant's championship rings, while you are less successful.
Watch this, I can quickly turn heads like a wrench
I can get people's attention with ease, as if I'm twisting their heads with a wrench.
Whole lot of Benjamins, the opposite of penny pinch
I have a lot of money, and I'm not hesitant to spend it.
Paul Wall, Catfish Billy
I'm Paul Wall, introducing myself again alongside Catfish Billy, potentially a collaborator.
Riff Raff, bitch
I also address Riff Raff, humorously using 'bitch' as a positive term of endearment.
I gotta start a business before I start a family
I have plans to become an entrepreneur before settling down and starting a family.
I was age 10, promethazine in the pantry
I started consuming promethazine at a young age, which is a hint to my history of heavy drug use.
I don't wanna be fancy, I just want my diamonds dancing
I'm not looking to appear flashy, but I want my jewelry to shine and catch one's attention.
Ten bricks out in Denver, it's the white Marcus Camby
I have ten bricks of drugs in Denver and compare my drug dealing to Marcus Camby's basketball career, as white Camby jerseys were all over Denver at the time.
Candy cane Lamborghini, it's the syrup sippin' Santa
I'm driving a Lamborghini that looks like a candy cane, and I'm sipping syrup like Santa would drink milk.
Should've won a GRAMMY
I'm confident in my abilities and believe I deserve a Grammy award for my work.
Jolly Rancher Fanta, my mansion Miami
I'm drinking Jolly Rancher-flavored Fanta and own a mansion located in Miami.
Way out your jurisdiction, I keep Versace vision
I'm living far away from your area, but I'm always well-dressed and in-brand with Versace.
Moncler mission, guard gated subdivision
My focus is on acquiring Moncler brand clothes, and I live in a high-security gated community.
The ones that say fuck bitches, man, they probably don't fuck bitches
Those who frequently voice their disrespect for women probably do not have any success with them.
Surrounded by women since I ain't had a pot to piss in
I've been surrounded by women since I was broke and had nothing to offer them.
Made over a million a year since 2013
I've made over a million dollars yearly since the year 2013.
Clean queen in Celine jeans, let her recruit the whole team
There's a woman who is well-dressed and competent at finding people for me to collaborate with.
Yeah, I broke the program
I'm subverting expectations and breaking the accepted model of what people expect from me.
Put snow in her nose to a slow jam
I gave her cocaine while we listened to a slow song.
The boy's snow ballin', the abominable snowman
I'm having success and accumulating cash, like the abominable snowman amassing snow.
Leather and a spiked choker, she woke up and it was no man
I wore leather and a spiked necklace during sex with a woman, and she couldn't find her man next to her when she awoke.
Chosen to the bar, I'm chosen
I'm favored and chosen for inclusion at the bar or club.
Chewin' her jaw, like skull man
She's using drugs that caused her to grind her teeth, similar to comic character Skull Man.
Spittin' these sentences, I sentence you to the row, man
I have a talent for rapping, and my lyrics are so powerful that they can send you to prison.
'Cause I, umm, got it locked
I strongly believe that I'm in charge and have everything under control.
Mojo out of control, man
My confidence and swagger are intense and unparalleled.
Slow role in a stolen Pontiac through the backroads
I'm taking my time, driving a stolen Pontiac at a leisurely pace down less traveled roads.
Choppin', I got no doughs, man
I'm chopping drugs, but currently with no money or customers.
Bumpin' Billy Ocean
I'm listening to music from musician Billy Ocean.
With a flask of that potion, two cups in a cold Coke can
I'm carrying a small amount of alcohol mixed with another liquid in a flask and drinking it from a Coke can with two cups.
Two shots of that creek, I'm leakin'
I've had two shots of alcohol, and I'm feeling its effects.
Me, Riff and Paul hit the mall with a clique of dogs
Riff Raff, Paul Wall, and I went to the mall with a group of friends.
In a car, six pistols and no security guards
We are driving a car together, carrying six pistols for protection, without any additional security.
It's the squad, hangin' tough, like a thick big broad missing her bra
We are a team, and we stick together tightly, like a large woman without a bra.
We the hard pack, like a brick in a car
We are the strong and valuable ones, like a brick is strong and valuable in a car.
Catfish
I'm addressing Catfish Billy again, as a potential collaborator.
Lyrics © The Orchard
Written by: Horst Christian Simco, Michael Wayne Atha, Paul Michael Slayton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jesussalcido8687
Cham wrecks all his freestyles the real 🐐
@mikeojeda5899
Agreed
@uuuultra
I'M PAUL WALL CAMOUFLAGE BOY WIT SOULJA RAG ON MY CROTCH
@johnnydigital2349
Chamillionaire just performed in funky town and did this freestyle. it was dope
@ingodwetrust7648
Funky town Waco?
@johnnydigital2349
@@ingodwetrust7648 funky town, as in fort worth
@ingodwetrust7648
@@johnnydigital2349 yessir 🤘😎
@nevaslo713
Who’s still jamming this 2020 CoronaViruuss👌
@blackwater828
Phuck the Corona, that shit for the suckers. 🏚️
@fatrone7327
2021 now but yezir