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 Grind
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get up early and get it before the crack of dawn
And I'm still out when the sun set getting my hustle on
I'm grinding all day long to keep my paper long
I got my mind on paper chasing, my focus strong
Mind elevated, so my game is upgraded
Now its money in the pocketk all day like tom brady
Ima stay on patrole to keep my bill fold swoll
[Chorus: Marty James]
Even when its cold outside, the sun got gutter
By the clouds in the sky, it stay hot like summer
I grind .... ooohhh ...
I still grind ... yeaaaahh...
Even when the well runs dry, I see my struggle
Ain't a day go by, that I don't hustle
I grind .... ooohhh ...
I still grind ... yeaaaahh...
[Verse 1]
The oven doors shut, but I still smell cake
The stench is too high, I ain't pumping my brakes
The paper is so large, it can change a man's faith
I with David Taylor every year changing the plates
See I wake up extra early just to bleed these streets
From Gut bank to Debrees tell em to gimme a piece
I got the bricks up on my tail just to fall in love
But we just whip em and toss em up like a ticket stub
They say money can't buy me love and that's true
But money can buy me drugs so I'm cool
10 dollars can buy the clipse slugs for these tools
That'll cock, and ready to let loose on these fools
[Chorus: Marty James]
[Paul Wall Insert]
Gotta get this money baby, all day ? all night
I'm breaking this bread, I'm stacking up this paper
Feel that, know what I'm talking about
Ima go getta
[Verse 2: Paul Wall]
My money makes money my stocks are tripling
So I'm moving this paper like Dougie and Nicholas
Addicted to the hustle so the bread coming fast
I'm connected all across the state like Comcast
I bleeding I-10 like a gunshot wound
So I can knock off new beemer, that's gon come out next June
I ain't slept in bout a week so I'm high as the moon
I'm trying to make sure my money pile up like sand dune
[Chorus: Marty James]
Man I'm holding on, Man I'm holding on
I'm gon do it, I'm gon win it
Man I'm holding on, Man I'm holding on
I'm gon do it, I'm gon win it, again!
[Chorus: Marty James]
In "I Grind," Paul Wall describes his daily routine of hard work and dedication to his hustle, or making money. He wakes up early and goes to bed late, working long hours to keep his money flowing. He stays on patrol even when the weather is cold to ensure that his wallet stays full. With a mind focused solely on chasing paper, he elevates his game, and his money grows like Tom Brady's achievements. He hustles hard and leaves no stone unturned, whipping and tossing aside any obstacles that cross his path. Money can't buy him love, but it can buy him drugs and tools to protect himself from any threats that may arise, as he is always prepared to let loose on his opponents.
Line by Line Meaning
I get up early and get it before the crack of dawn
I wake up before sunrise to start my hustle and make money as early as possible.
And I'm still out when the sun set getting my hustle on
I work hard all day and even after sunset to keep hustling for more money.
I'm grinding all day long to keep my paper long
I work tirelessly throughout the day to make sure my money keeps growing.
I got my mind on paper chasing, my focus strong
I have a strong desire to make money and my focus is solely on achieving financial success.
Mind elevated, so my game is upgraded
I have a positive mindset and this helps me improve my hustling and money-making skills.
Now its money in the pocketk all day like tom brady
I'm making so much money that it's filling up my pockets just like Tom Brady filling up the stat sheet with touchdowns.
And even when the weather outside gets cold
I hustle and grind even in tough situations like cold weather.
Ima stay on patrole to keep my bill fold swoll
I will stay alert and vigilant to ensure that my wallet remains full of money.
Even when its cold outside, the sun got gutter
Despite tough conditions, I'm still shining and making money like the sun in the sky.
By the clouds in the sky, it stay hot like summer
Even when there are obstacles in my way, I'm still able to perform well and make money like it's summertime.
Ain't a day go by, that I don't hustle
Every single day, I am putting in the work to make sure I'm making money.
The oven doors shut, but I still smell cake
I can still smell the money even when the opportunity seems to have passed me by.
The paper is so large, it can change a man's faith
The amount of money I'm making is life-changing and can completely alter a person's beliefs and perspective.
See I wake up extra early just to bleed these streets
I wake up extra early to work hard and make the most money out of the streets.
But we just whip em and toss em up like a ticket stub
We handle the obstacles that come our way with ease and move on to the next money-making opportunity.
They say money can't buy me love and that's true
It's true that money can't buy love and happiness.
But money can buy me drugs so I'm cool
Money can buy me the things that make me happy and content, like drugs.
My money makes money my stocks are tripling
I'm making so much money that my investments are tripling and making even more money for me.
So I'm moving this paper like Dougie and Nicholas
I'm handling my money with the same level of skill and expertise as Dougie and Nicholas handle a basketball.
Addicted to the hustle so the bread coming fast
I'm so addicted to making money that it's coming in quickly and easily.
I bleeding I-10 like a gunshot wound
I'm hustling and making money so fiercely that it feels like a gunshot wound in my veins.
I'm trying to make sure my money pile up like sand dune
I'm hustling with the goal of making my money pile up as high as a sand dune.
Man I'm holding on, Man I'm holding on
I'm staying strong and persevering through any obstacles that come my way.
I'm gon do it, I'm gon win it
I'm determined to achieve financial success and I have the drive to make it happen.
Ima go getta
I'm a go-getter who is always working hard to make my dreams of financial success a reality.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WALL, MARTY JAMES, NATHAN PEREZ, TRAVIS FARRIS, LEWIS KINOSHI, ROB ASTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind