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.)
How Gangstas Roll
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You could catch me ridin' in da lac,
Top down, seat back, keepin' heat up on my lap,
I'm throwed, (I'm throwed).
Every hood that I'm in, white cup in my hand,
Blowin' kush in the wind, I'm blowed (I'm blowed).
Any day of the week, new grill, new piece,
From my head to my feet, I'm cold (I'm cold).
Man that's how gangstas roll (that's how gangstas roll).
I'm higher than a top flight, throwed like a splitter,
My pockets keep gettin' bigga, cause I'm one bad figga.
Boppas n gold diggas on the track at work,
I'm hurtin' feelins in that Bens wit a deuce and a Squirt.
I'm a fillibuster for hustlas, invadin' dem mark bustas.
Leanin' like I'm on crutches as I ski taste slurp.
Swangin' and woodworkin' convertin' this closed curtains,
For certain, I betta not spill no purple drank on my shirt.
I'm hustle for occupation, I'm grindin' paper chasin,
These boys is steady hatin' so this pistol I'm embracin'.
That lac is so amasin' and da elbows is skatin'.
Cranker wires n vogue tires, one hell of collaboration.
Amos, Farris n Slaton, we Jordan Jackson n Pippen.
Banana clip for them snitches tryin' to monkey wrench my pimpin'.
Neva been caught slippin' cause that glock I hold,
Now let me tell ya how I roll come on
[Chorus]
Comin' down in a candy lac, old skool,
Wavin' trunk on dem punks, act a fool,
Tippin' paint, drippin' wet, like a pool,
Breakin' brews, neck cool, it's full of jewels.
Rumor is that them jackas on da sideline schemin' and plottin'.
But my mind on dem boppas if I spot'em I got 'em.
I got slabs I got foreigns wit da seats all plush,
I got brandy wine gloss, baby please don't touch.
I got 20's I got 4's I got screens and such.
Boppas yappin' cause they say I tend to cap too much.
I got starch in my jeans and da crease so sharp.
Headlights on my ear when the night get dark,
White ones on my toes brand new out the box.
Interior decoratin' the watch I'm connectin' the dots.
I got stocks I got money that's a fat billfold,
Now let me tell ya how I roll come on
[Chorus]
Hatin' is so contagious these days there's no cure,
This new outbreak in Houston is out of hand for sure.
These boys is steady lyin' my money is multiplyin'
Look close there's no denyin' them boys softer than fur.
Killa kush smoke I blow as the lungs inhale,
Gangsta leanin' on dat oil I got a story to tell.
Laws trippin' when they see me askin' "what's that smell",
Raw fed exed me some x pills we call it e mail.
Lights camera action I'm the shit and I show it,
A young gangsta hood boy, so fly and I know it.
Steady breakin' boys off,
5 karats in earlobes givin' somethin' that you can feel,
My swangas is en vogue.
I'm too cool for school all work no play,
Impeccable with this pen I got somethin' to say.
My repertoire is throwed I follow the G code,
Let me tell ya how I roll come on
[Chorus]
The song "How Gangstas Roll" by Paul Wall feat. Crys Wall is a song that celebrates the typical lifestyle of gangstas in Houston and other parts of the world. The chorus repeats a verse that describes the image of riding in a luxury car with the top down, seat back, and having a white cup in hand with kush smoke in the air. The verse also emphasizes the ownership of new grills, new pieces, and new shoes along with a bad bitch on the side. The phrase "that's how gangstas roll" is repeated multiple times to reinforce this message.
In the first verse, Paul Wall emphasizes the theme of being "throwed," which he portrays as being high or intoxicated. He associates his high state with his successes, including his large pockets and being a "bad figga." He also mentions his hustle for money, handling his firearm with ease, and his love for his car. Moving to the second verse, he boasts of having a "candy lac" and "foreign" cars. He talks about having his car's interior decorated and his flawless styling. Similarly, the verse portrays the negative vibes of haters who may wish to harm him but remains focused on the female attention he attracts.
Similarly, in the third and final verse, Paul Wall points out that haters are plaguing society and explains how his money multiplies. He mentions the Kush smoke he inhales, which makes him feel like he has a story to tell. He's also in possession of some pills. He accentuates his gangsta hood boy image and his pen's eloquence, which he uses to express his unique lifestyle. The verse highlights his exceptional penmanship and ability to produce impressive verses on the G-code. The song ends with the chorus repeating, emphasizing the lavish lifestyle of gangstas.
Line by Line Meaning
You could catch me ridin' in da lac,
You may see me cruising in a Cadillac,
Top down, seat back, keepin' heat up on my lap,
Convertible roof down, seat reclined, with a gun on my lap,
I'm throwed, (I'm throwed).
I am drunk or high.
Every hood that I'm in, white cup in my hand,
I have a white styrofoam cup filled with some kind of intoxicating beverage in every neighborhood I visit.
Blowin' kush in the wind, I'm blowed (I'm blowed).
I am smoking marijuana and enjoying the breeze.
Any day of the week, new grill, new piece,
I have shiny new gold teeth or jewelry every day of the week.
From my head to my feet, I'm cold (I'm cold).
I am stylish from head to toe.
New shoes on my ride, bad bitch on my side,
I have new shoes on my car and an attractive woman riding with me.
Man that's how gangstas roll (that's how gangstas roll).
That is how real gangsters roll.
I'm higher than a top flight, throwed like a splitter,
I am extremely high or drunk.
My pockets keep gettin' bigga, cause I'm one bad figga.
My pockets are filling with more money because I am a successful person.
Boppas n gold diggas on the track at work,
Prostitutes and gold diggers are working on the track.
I'm hurtin' feelins in that Bens wit a deuce and a Squirt.
I am causing negative emotions while driving my Mercedes-Benz with a Sprite and Codeine mix.
I'm a fillibuster for hustlas, invadin' dem mark bustas.
I am a filibuster for hustlers, interrupting those who are trying to ruin the hustler's game.
Leanin' like I'm on crutches as I ski taste slurp.
I am leaning like I am on crutches while I savor the taste of my lean.
Swangin' and woodworkin' convertin' this closed curtains,
Driving and bouncing as I fix up this lowrider.
For certain, I betta not spill no purple drank on my shirt.
Definitely, I should not want to spill my purple drank on my shirt.
I'm hustle for occupation, I'm grindin' paper chasin,
I make money by hustling and seeking opportunities.
These boys is steady hatin' so this pistol I'm embracin'.
I have to carry a gun because these boys are always hating on me.
That lac is so amasin' and da elbows is skatin'.
My Cadillac is so amazing, and my rims look so smooth when I am driving.
Cranker wires n vogue tires, one hell of collaboration.
Cragar rims and white-wall tires, a great match.
Amos, Farris n Slaton, we Jordan Jackson n Pippen.
My group of friends is as talented and well-known as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Banana clip for them snitches tryin' to monkey wrench my pimpin'.
A gun with an extended clip for the snitches who are trying to sabotage my lifestyle.
Neva been caught slippin' cause that glock I hold,
I have never been caught off guard because I always have my Glock with me.
Now let me tell ya how I roll come on
Let me explain how I live my life.
Comin' down in a candy lac, old skool,
I am cruising in a vintage, candy-colored Cadillac.
Wavin' trunk on dem punks, act a fool,
Flapping my trunk at people who disrespect me.
Tippin' paint, drippin' wet, like a pool,
My car's paint job is looking nice and glossy, like a pool of water.
Breakin' brews, neck cool, it's full of jewels.
Drinking and feeling cool because I am wearing lots of jewelry.
Rumor is that them jackas on da sideline schemin' and plottin'.
Rumors are that my enemies are planning on how to harm or take advantage of me.
But my mind on dem boppas if I spot'em I got 'em.
My mind is focused on the women, and if I see them, I will approach them.
I got slabs I got foreigns wit da seats all plush,
I have luxury cars with comfortable seats.
I got brandy wine gloss, baby please don't touch.
My car has a special brandy wine color that catches attention, so do not touch it.
I got 20's I got 4's I got screens and such.
I have different kinds of wheels and screens.
Boppas yappin' cause they say I tend to cap too much.
Women are talking and saying that I exaggerate or brag too much.
I got starch in my jeans and da crease so sharp.
I iron my jeans so that they have a sharp crease.
Headlights on my ear when the night get dark,
My diamond earrings shine like bright headlights when it is dark.
White ones on my toes brand new out the box.
I have brand new white shoes on my feet.
Interior decoratin' the watch I'm connectin' the dots.
The design of my interior matches the design of my watch.
I got stocks I got money that's a fat billfold,
I have money invested in stocks and have a lot of cash in my wallet.
Now let me tell ya how I roll come on
Let me explain how I live my life.
Hatin' is so contagious these days there's no cure,
There is a lot of jealousy and hatred these days, and there is no solution.
This new outbreak in Houston is out of hand for sure.
There is too much animosity in Houston.
These boys is steady lyin' my money is multiplyin'
These guys are always lying and spreading rumors, but my money is always increasing.
Look close there's no denyin' them boys softer than fur.
When you examine them closely, it is undeniable that these guys are weak or cowardly.
Killa kush smoke I blow as the lungs inhale,
I smoke strong marijuana that makes my lungs feel good.
Gangsta leanin' on dat oil I got a story to tell.
I am leaning like a gangster, enjoying the oil that I am smoking.
Laws trippin' when they see me askin' "what's that smell",
Police officers get suspicious when they see me, and they ask about the smell.
Raw fed exed me some x pills we call it e mail.
Someone shipped ecstasy pills to me through FedEx, and we call it email.
Lights camera action I'm the shit and I show it,
I am confident and show off my success.
A young gangsta hood boy, so fly and I know it.
I am a young gangster with style, and I am aware of it.
Steady breakin' boys off,
I am constantly showing off my success to others.
5 karats in earlobes givin' somethin' that you can feel,
The 5-karat diamond earrings look and feel impressive.
My swangas is en vogue.
My rims are trendy and fashionable.
I'm too cool for school all work no play,
I am too cool, focused on work, and not interested in playing around.
Impeccable with this pen I got somethin' to say.
I am articulate and have something important to express.
My repertoire is throwed I follow the G code,
My collection of skills and experiences is impressive and consistent with gangster code.
Let me tell ya how I roll come on
Let me explain how I live my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, JAMES NYX, CRYSTAL SLAYTON, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON, LEROY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind