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 Need Mo
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We out here, trying to get it rain or shine
Can't nobody take what's mine
But people say ...
"That they gon try to kill me"
Go hard for mine is all I know
I'm trying to get all this dough
"If you want me come and get me"
[Verse 1: Paul Wall]
Early in the morning when the sun come up
I be playing my position, trying to chase a come up
I'm on the corner like little kids waiting for the school bus
I'm reggie bush about my paper man I gotta rush
I'm chasing Johnny dame, co vein with diamond crush
I want that TV Johnny watch, earrings and such
I got my mind focused driving in the fast lane
Apple paint and white seats, looking like a candy cane
I'm running marathons, while these lames running sprints
Been pulling all nighters, all year, and ever since
I'm steady grinding on the rise like Honda pants
Partner this is common sense, stacking up dollars and cents
I'm thinking pickett fence, six rooms, that's on a lake
Long as I keep stacking bread like pancakes
I pray with high stakes, so I can crawl down like snakes
Trying to eat them Vincent Anthony steaks, I gotta get more
[Chorus: Kobe]
[Verse 2: Paul Wall]
From a Buick to a Benz, the American Dream
Riding apple over silver with the insides cream
I got my mind on the foreign so I hustle some green
And I'm somewhat color struck 'cause I only love green
I'm living the ghetto dream, money, hoes, and cloths
My mind on bankrolls, I stay up on my toes
See I'm working for that paper chasing after that cash
Overtime punching clocks, I call it a monster mash
That paper in my vision, so I grind with precision
A hustler's ambition, to accumulate commission
My eyes is burning 'cause I ain't slept in bout a week
And there's no time to eat 'cause my body is weak
I'm {?} its time for cash stacking, there ain't no time for slacking
I'm recking money now, later I'll be Cadillac'n
I'm packing paper and my pockets over flowing to the top
That's why I'm blowing my dawg, I gotta get that money!
[Chorus: Kobe]
[Verse 3: Paul Wall]
The clock keep on ticking and the count down is on
My paper keep on stacking now it won't be long
I'm king kong of the hustle, using mind with muscle
Putting together plots and schemes like a piece to a puzzle
The boys chasing broads, but I'm out here stacking bars
Motivated my screw tapes that's in my ipod
My job is all night my hustle is all day
When you thrown in the game, there ain't no 401K
I got a dream like Dr. King {?}
I swing it like peter parker in the Cadillac
So now I'm changing up the game like a clinic bitch
Hood super star with dreams of getting rich, gimme more
[Chorus: Kobe]
The lyrics to Paul Wall's song I Need Mo reflect his hustler mentality and his ambition of achieving financial success. In the chorus, Kobe sings about the constant struggle of trying to make it rain or shine while people have their eyes set on taking what belongs to him. The concept of defending what's his is evident throughout the song.
Paul Wall makes it clear from the outset that he's on his grind trying to get rich. He uses the metaphor of waiting for the school bus as a way to illustrate his patience and perseverance while working hard. He is always on the move, chasing after his dreams, and focused on getting his hands on the bag. He understands that making a lot of money requires putting in long hours of work and dedication, and he's not afraid to do that. He also admits to colorism, saying he only loves green, referring to his love of money.
Throughout the song, we get a sense of the struggles he has gone through in pursuit of his dream. For instance, he talks about how his body is weak from working tirelessly for his riches, but there's still no time for rest. However, in the end, Paul Wall remains relentless, and his hustle continues to grow. He encourages everyone to come and get him if they want to take what is his because he's ready to defend what he's worked hard for.
Line by Line Meaning
We out here, trying to get it rain or shine
We are hustling and working hard to make money regardless of the conditions of the weather.
Can't nobody take what's mine
No one can steal or take away what I have earned through hard work and dedication.
"That they gon try to kill me"
There are people who want to harm me and prevent me from achieving my goals.
Go hard for mine is all I know
I only know how to give my all and work hard to achieve my goals.
I'm trying to get all this dough
I am focused on making as much money as possible.
"If you want me come and get me"
If someone wants to challenge me or try to stop me, they are welcome to try and face the consequences.
Early in the morning when the sun come up
I start my day early and am ready to work when the sun rises.
I be playing my position, trying to chase a come up
I am always working hard and staying in my lane to achieve success.
I'm on the corner like little kids waiting for the school bus
I am hustling on the streets and working hard like a kid waiting for the school bus.
I'm reggie bush about my paper man I gotta rush
Like Reggie Bush on the football field, I am fast and focused on the money at all times.
I'm chasing Johnny dame, co vein with diamond crush
I am after expensive jewelry and other luxury items, such as a TV Johnny watch and diamond earrings.
I want that TV Johnny watch, earrings and such
There are certain luxury items that I am striving to obtain and will do whatever it takes to get them.
I got my mind focused driving in the fast lane
I am always pushing myself to work harder and faster to achieve my goals.
Apple paint and white seats, looking like a candy cane
I am driving in a car with fancy, expensive features like red paint and white leather seats that look like a candy cane.
I'm running marathons, while these lames running sprints
I am working hard and staying dedicated for the long term, while others are only focused on short term gains.
Been pulling all nighters, all year, and ever since
I have been working nonstop for a long time, even sacrificing sleep to achieve my goals.
I'm steady grinding on the rise like Honda pants
I am constantly working hard and moving up in the world, similar to a Honda that is rising in popularity and value.
Partner this is common sense, stacking up dollars and cents
It is obvious that in order to be successful and make money, one must work hard and save their earnings.
I'm thinking pickett fence, six rooms, that's on a lake
I am dreaming of owning a luxurious home with six rooms and a beautiful view.
Long as I keep stacking bread like pancakes
As long as I continue to work hard and make money, I will be able to achieve my dreams and goals.
I pray with high stakes, so I can crawl down like snakes
I am willing to take risks and sacrifice in order to achieve my goals and financial success.
Trying to eat them Vincent Anthony steaks, I gotta get more
I am working hard and striving to make more money in order to afford the finer things in life, such as expensive dinners at Vincent Anthony's restaurant.
From a Buick to a Benz, the American Dream
I have gone from owning a regular car to driving a luxury Mercedes Benz, which is a symbol of the American Dream.
Riding apple over silver with the insides cream
I am driving a custom car with a red paint job and silver detailing, with the interior being cream-colored.
I got my mind on the foreign so I hustle some green
I am focused on acquiring foreign luxury items and therefore must work hard in order to make enough money to afford them.
And I'm somewhat color struck 'cause I only love green
I am drawn to the color green because it is the color of money, which is what I am focused on acquiring.
I'm living the ghetto dream, money, hoes, and cloths
I am experiencing a version of the American Dream that is specific to growing up in a poor, urban area and includes making money, dating women, and wearing nice clothes.
My mind on bankrolls, I stay up on my toes
I am constantly thinking about making money and am always ready to hustle and work hard.
See I'm working for that paper chasing after that cash
My primary focus is working hard to earn money and achieve financial success.
Overtime punching clocks, I call it a monster mash
I am working long hours and clocking in overtime, which can feel like a grind or a struggle at times.
That paper in my vision, so I grind with precision
Because making money is always on my mind, I work hard and with great attention to detail and focus.
A hustler's ambition, to accumulate commission
As a hustler, I am always seeking to earn more money and accumulate wealth through commission-based work.
My eyes is burning 'cause I ain't slept in bout a week
I am exhausted from working so hard and have not had enough sleep in a long time.
And there's no time to eat 'cause my body is weak
I am so focused on making money and hustling that I do not have time to properly take care of my body by eating and resting enough.
I'm {?} its time for cash stacking, there ain't no time for slacking
It is time for me to focus on making money and there is no time for laziness or slacking off.
I'm recking money now, later I'll be Cadillac'n
I am currently making a lot of money and will soon be able to afford a luxury Cadillac car.
I'm packing paper and my pockets over flowing to the top
I am earning a lot of money and my pockets are overflowing with cash.
That's why I'm blowing my dawg, I gotta get that money!
I am spending money in order to make even more money and achieve greater financial success.
The clock keep on ticking and the count down is on
Time is passing quickly and I know that I need to work hard to achieve my goals before it is too late.
My paper keep on stacking now it won't be long
Because I am working hard to earn money and achieve success, I know that it will not be long before I reach my goals.
I'm king kong of the hustle, using mind with muscle
As a skilled and experienced hustler, I am able to use my intelligence and physical strength to achieve success.
Putting together plots and schemes like a piece to a puzzle
I am always strategizing and coming up with new ideas and plans to make money and achieve my goals.
The boys chasing broads, but I'm out here stacking bars
While others are focusing on dating and relationships, I am focused on earning money and achieving financial success.
Motivated my screw tapes that's in my ipod
I am motivated and inspired by my own music, which I listen to on my iPod.
My job is all night my hustle is all day
I am constantly working hard and hustling, around the clock and seven days a week.
When you thrown in the game, there ain't no 401K
When you are a hustler and working hard to earn money, there is no pension or retirement plan to rely on - it is up to you to save and invest your earnings wisely.
I got a dream like Dr. King {?}
Like Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream of achieving success and financial prosperity.
I swing it like peter parker in the Cadillac
Like Peter Parker, the alter-ego of Spiderman, I am skilled and agile while driving my luxury Cadillac car.
So now I'm changing up the game like a clinic bitch
I am revolutionizing the hustle game and changing the way people think about making money, similar to a nurse in a clinic who is transforming healthcare.
Hood super star with dreams of getting rich, gimme more
As a superstar in my community, I am striving to earn even more money and achieve greater financial success.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, PFIVE Entertainment Mexico, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Wall, Travis L Barker, Rob Aston, Brian Honeycutt, Travis Farris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind