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.)
I'm A Playa
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
DJ Paul and Juicy J productions
Paul Wall, Swishahouse, Hypnotize Minds, Three 6 Mafia!
It's goin down
[Chorus: x4]
Eighty-fo's (eighty-fo's) candy paint (candy paint)
Switchin' lanes (switchin' lanes) sippin' drank (sippin' drank)
It's Paul Wall baby yeah that's me, these hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout
Princess cuts all on my neck and on my wrist and in my mouth
Do's open, do's close, where's the camera I'll strike a pose
I'm still ridin' on elbows, in eighty-threes and eighty-fo's
The gangsta slab is what I flip, wood grain is what I grip
That purple drank is what I sip, in my cell phone keep a chip
I'm talkin' bid'ness I put it down, I'm choppin' blades and I'm poppin' shrooms
I'm from the land of that fry smoke, got plex I got the pump
Weighted trunk and chunk the deuce, keep it movin' I'm on the prowl
I'm on the hunt for some one night love, best believe that it's goin' down
Money and hoes, cars and clothes, diamond rings and ice grills
Swishahouse we keep it trill, and hold it down baby what's the deal
[Chorus]
We put them 47 inch jelly screens in them Escalade
We po' that purple drank straight up like it's that Kool-Aid
We like them girls that eat it up and never be afraid
While you cry but ask how they givin' up the fade
Ye ain't got screens if they ain't touch screen
with the removable screen, lookin' mean on the scene
When hoes see me they sayin' everybody ain't able
Cause I turned the back of my Caddy pickup into a pool table
Juicy J, I'm the mayne, got the G's, fuck the fame
See a lil' freak, run some game, and she goin' I'ma take some brain
I'm on the slab, posted up, white Cadillac with the white guts
I'm on the scene, drankin' lean, mixed with Spire in a plastic cup
I'm from the hood, call it North, where Project Pat went to jail and court
But now he back on the Southern bricks, we gon' drink a lot and players smoke Newport
Uptown, hit the blush, or watch these diamonds blind you up
Nothin' but self-made millionaires so you corporate folks can shut the fuck
[Chorus]
I got a deep freezer up on my neck and snow cones up in my ear
A ice tray up in my mouth, I'm lookin' somethin' like a chandelier
You can call me the ice man, I cause a blizzard every time I breathe
Posted up on that South Lee, with Big Mix and my boy Lil' Heat
Where's the drank I'm runnin' low, Cabbage Head told me it's a drought
But not to worry dough never doubt, I'll go to the doctor with a cough
It's Paul Wall baby that's my name, fly like a plane what it do
I drop the top of my potnah plaque and chunk the deuce to that boy Gooch
Just like a midget I'm sittin' low, and like a snail I'm crawlin' slow
Where's Mike, where's Bawdy, he on the grind ducked on the low
Yeah I like my music slow, yeah I like my train mud
I'm chopped up by Michael Watts, it's Paul Wall baby that's what's up
Eighty-fo's (eighty-fo's) candy paint (candy paint)
Switchin' lanes (switchin' lanes) sippin' drank (sippin' drank)
Eighty-fo's (eighty-fo's) candy paint (candy paint)
Switchin' lanes (switchin' lanes) sippin' drank (sippin' drank)
"I'm a playa, ain't no doubt, hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout"
"I'm a playa, ain't no doubt, hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout"
"I'm a playa, ain't no doubt, hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout"
"I'm a playa, I'm a playa, I'm a playa, I'm a playa..."
The lyrics of Paul Wall's "I'm a Playa" celebrate the rapper's status as a "playa", or someone who is successful with women, wealthy, and respected in their social circles. He boasts of his flashy cars, expensive jewelry, and penchant for sipping purple drank. He is also very proud of his appearances and his ability to strike a pose for the camera. Wall portrays himself as a confident and self-assured individual who is always on the prowl for one-night stands. The song features a catchy hook that repeats the line "Eighty-fo's candy paint, switchin' lanes sippin' drank," which reinforces Wall's sense of superiority and extravagance.
Nevertheless, one can argue that these lyrics also reveal Wall's internal battle with insecurity and the need for validation. Despite the bravado with which he talks about his possessions and sexual prowess, he still craves attention and approval from others, particularly females. The explicit objectification of women in the song also highlights the misogyny that exists within hip-hop and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes. The lyrics present a stark contrast between Wall's perceived glamorous lifestyle and the use of drugs and alcohol that make up its foundation.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes sir, SwishaHouse!
Acknowledgment of SwishaHouse record label affiliation
DJ Paul and Juicy J productions
Credits the producers of the song
Paul Wall, Swishahouse, Hypnotize Minds, Three 6 Mafia!
Lists various affiliations of Paul Wall and his collaborators
It's goin down
Anticipation of the events to occur
[Chorus: x4]
Refrain of the song
Eighty-fo's (eighty-fo's) candy paint (candy paint)
Describes the car model and its colorful paint job
Switchin' lanes (switchin' lanes) sippin' drank (sippin' drank)
Multitasking while driving - changing lanes and sipping a drink
It's Paul Wall baby yeah that's me, these hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout
Self-introduction and recognition of female attention
Princess cuts all on my neck and on my wrist and in my mouth
Describes various jewelry pieces adorned with diamonds
Do's open, do's close, where's the camera I'll strike a pose
Flaunting style and looking for photo opportunities
I'm still ridin' on elbows, in eighty-threes and eighty-fo's
Describes a low riding style in specific car models
The gangsta slab is what I flip, wood grain is what I grip
Refers to his profession and his fondness for particular car parts
That purple drank is what I sip, in my cell phone keep a chip
Reference to a popular drink and a communication gadget accessory
I'm talkin' bid'ness I put it down, I'm choppin' blades and I'm poppin' shrooms
Talking about business matters, and describing the car modifications
I'm from the land of that fry smoke, got plex I got the pump
Reference to the native city and declaring ownership of a gun
Weighted trunk and chunk the deuce, keep it movin' I'm on the prowl
Driving with a heavy trunk and throwing up the deuces symbol while hunting for love
I'm on the hunt for some one night love, best believe that it's goin' down
Looking for a one-night stand with confidence
Money and hoes, cars and clothes, diamond rings and ice grills
Listing various symbols of status and wealth
Swishahouse we keep it trill, and hold it down baby what's the deal
Affirming loyalty to the record label and asking for a positive interaction
We put them 47 inch jelly screens in them Escalade
Customizing Escalade cars with specific TV screens
We po' that purple drank straight up like it's that Kool-Aid
Indulging in the drink and comparing it to a popular children's drink
We like them girls that eat it up and never be afraid
Expressing attraction to sexually confident women
While you cry but ask how they givin' up the fade
Describing the reaction of rivals who are losing out
Ye ain't got screens if they ain't touch screen
Asserting the superiority of a certain type of TV screen
with the removable screen, lookin' mean on the scene
Describing a cool-looking screen with the ability to remove it
When hoes see me they sayin' everybody ain't able
Acknowledging that he attracts female attention from some men's envy
Cause I turned the back of my Caddy pickup into a pool table
Boasting about a custom-made pool table inside Cadillac truck
Juicy J, I'm the mayne, got the G's, fuck the fame
Introduction of Juicy J, claiming he's a boss with money over fame
See a lil' freak, run some game, and she goin' I'ma take some brain
Describing the art of seduction and boasting about sexual conquests
I'm on the slab, posted up, white Cadillac with the white guts
Describing a parked car, specifically a white Cadillac with white interior
I'm on the scene, drankin' lean, mixed with Spire in a plastic cup
Enjoying a specific drink made of codeine and soda water in a disposable cup
I'm from the hood, call it North, where Project Pat went to jail and court
Describing the specific neighborhood and a rapper's legal troubles
But now he back on the Southern bricks, we gon' drink a lot and players smoke Newport
Reference to the rapper's return, and preference in smoking cigarettes
Uptown, hit the blush, or watch these diamonds blind you up
Reference to the female attraction to his jewelry collection
Nothin' but self-made millionaires so you corporate folks can shut the fuck
Claiming status and wealth while dismissing those with a corporate background
I got a deep freezer up on my neck and snow cones up in my ear
Description of a necklace with diamonds resembling an appliance, and earring gems resembling a dessert
A ice tray up in my mouth, I'm lookin' somethin' like a chandelier
Describing a diamond grill that looks like a decorative piece
You can call me the ice man, I cause a blizzard every time I breathe
Assuming the identity of the ice man, highlighting his diamond-related fame
Posted up on that South Lee, with Big Mix and my boy Lil' Heat
Location and name-dropping of his associates
Where's the drank I'm runnin' low, Cabbage Head told me it's a drought
Asking for a certain drink, acknowledging a local news about the product shortage
But not to worry dough never doubt, I'll go to the doctor with a cough
Assuring that he will find a remedy if there is a shortage of the desired drink
It's Paul Wall baby that's my name, fly like a plane what it do
Another self-introduction with a comparison to an airplane
I drop the top of my potnah plaque and chunk the deuce to that boy Gooch
Describing a gesture of respect with a collaborator
Just like a midget I'm sittin' low, and like a snail I'm crawlin' slow
Comparing himself to two entities that express a certain quality
Where's Mike, where's Bawdy, he on the grind ducked on the low
Inquiring about two more associates and assuming that one is cautiously working
Yeah I like my music slow, yeah I like my train mud
Admitting a preference to slow tempo music and specific cough syrup flavor
I'm chopped up by Michael Watts, it's Paul Wall baby that's what's up
Crediting a music producer and reaffirming the song's performer
I'm a playa, ain't no doubt, hoes wanna know what I'm 'bout
Repeating the hook of the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JORDAN HOUSTON, PAUL BEAUREGARD, PAUL WALL, PAUL D. BEAUREGARD, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind