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.)
Intro
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause y'all are the judge, the day of judgment finally is near
In your eye I see a tear, and it's remindin' me of fear
Rap's been dead so long, so stop denyin' what you feel
Dis payback for the fact that y'all ain't tryin' to keep it real
Grim reaper that we call revenge right beside ya in your ear
He's saying your time expired, time is finally due it's clear
Cheers, time for a toast
(Your heart's beatin', your heart's beatin')
To the haters that hate you the most
(Your heart's beatin')
And the friends that pretend to be your folks
(Your heart's beatin')
This is what revenge sounds like
(Your heart's beatin', your heart's beatin')
I hear your heart beatin', keep runnin' your mouth, yeah
Your mouth runnin' ahead of you, your mouth do what your legs should do
Let me walk to the edge with you, jump off of it, it
It sounds like your ready to, 'cause these rappers are terrible
And the game is unbearable but I'ma fix, fix
This feeling that's dead in you got your brains like a vegetable
Use the pro tools and tell 'em to edit it, it
Switch to somethin' that's better fool, turn it up what you better do
When I'm bringing revenge to you it sounds like this, this, this
Somebody call the doctor
(You're not breathin', you're not breathin')
They ain't gonna be well after this one right here
You're not breathin'
(You're not breathin', you're not breathin')
Just make sure they learn the name
(You're not breathin')
That's about to be runnin' the game
(You're not breathin')
Tell 'em the name, Chamillitary Mayne
Shoulda heard what I was tellin' you, I don't do what the jealous do
I don't hate when a nigga make it, 'cause I'm smarter and better too
You run when they tell you to but I move when I'm ready to
If you stop to take a breather, see that I'm light years ahead of you
y'all musta thought y'all wasn't gonna have to see me or somethin'
(I'm not leavin', I'm not leavin')
Houston, Texas, I'm here now
(I'm not leavin', I'm not leavin')
Anybody gotta problem?
(I'm not leavin')
Speak now or forever hold your peace
(I'm not leavin')
I ain't think so, yeah
The feeling's great 'cause they pay me, I expect some hatred so daily
I'm sticking the middle finger up like the feeling's mutual baby
The franchise and they say that the future can't really trade me
In Houston, I'm number one like I'm in the place of McGrady
But keep on pacing it baby, the full truth has arrived
If they ask you about you nigga, you fin' to lie
They ask me about me and hear a truthful reply
They said they seem none better than me so hear the truth wit'cha eyes
Better go take over befo' it rains
'Cause I'd hate to say that I told you Mayne
I know, I know what you're gonna say
But have it your way
I know these haters is gonna hate
And I see that angry look on your face
Tell 'em sound of revenge is on the way
This isn't your day
Lookin' for the truth, they ask me where have you been?
Where have you been? Where have you been?
Getting ready for these haters, I got somethin' for them
Somethin' for them, somethin' for them
You're real quiet 'til you think you hear a sound in the wind
Sound in the wind, sound in the wind
You turn around 'cause you think you hear that sound once again
You hear that?
(Yeah what's that?)
That's The Sound of Revenge
See, I told you
That's what happens when you get on his bad side
Chamillitary Mayne
And now for The Sound of Revenge
The lyrics in "Intro" by Paul Wall and Chamillionaire represent the artists' willingness and determination to criticize the flaws and shortcomings of the rap industry. The opening line, "Yeah, a lightning bolt strikes in the air, yeah, finally it's here," indicates the arrival of the day of judgment where rappers and the industry will face the wrath of their hypocrisy and its consequences. The artists seem to be aware of the fact that many people may deny the truth and remain blind to the genre's decline or its negative aspects, as suggested by the lyrics, "Rap's been dead so long, so stop denyin' what you feel." Chamillionaire's verse criticizes the music industry for promoting mediocrity and their approach to editing music. He adds that he does things differently from the others and is light years ahead of them. Throughout the song, the artists express their intention to seek revenge for the wrongdoings in the game, and they suggest that this is what the "sound of revenge sounds like."
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, a lightning bolt strikes in the air, yeah, finally it's here
The long-awaited moment is finally here, with a powerful force coming down upon us.
'Cause y'all are the judge, the day of judgment finally is near
You, the audience, are the ones who will decide our fate, and that day of judgment is drawing near.
In your eye I see a tear, and it's remindin' me of fear
I can see the fear reflected in your eyes, as demonstrated by the tear, reminding me of the same fear.
Rap's been dead so long, so stop denyin' what you feel
The rap industry has been stagnant and lifeless for a considerable amount of time, so it's time to stop denying the truth of what you feel.
Dis payback for the fact that y'all ain't tryin' to keep it real
This is revenge for the fact that you haven't been sincere and true to yourself.
Grim reaper that we call revenge right beside ya in your ear
Revenge, personified as the grim reaper, is whispering in your ear, right by your side.
He's saying your time expired, time is finally due it's clear
The grim reaper of revenge is proclaiming that your time has run out, and it's evident that the moment of reckoning has arrived.
Not sober mind is a weak mind and he's buyin' you a beer
Having an intoxicated mind signifies weakness, and revenge is encouraging you to indulge in that weakness by buying you a beer.
Cheers, time for a toast
Raise your glass in a toast, as it's time to celebrate and acknowledge the upcoming revenge.
(Your heart's beatin', your heart's beatin')
Your heart is pounding with anticipation or fear.
To the haters that hate you the most
Let's raise our glasses to those individuals who despise you the most.
And the friends that pretend to be your folks
Let's also acknowledge the so-called friends who pretend to be close to you.
This is what revenge sounds like
The upcoming revenge is about to manifest itself, and this is its audible representation.
I hear your heart beatin', keep runnin' your mouth, yeah
I can hear your heart pounding, so continue speaking arrogantly and recklessly.
Your mouth runnin' ahead of you, your mouth do what your legs should do
Your words are getting ahead of you, as they should be actions carried out by your legs.
Let me walk to the edge with you, jump off of it, it
Allow me to accompany you to the precipice, then together we'll take a leap of faith.
It sounds like your ready to, 'cause these rappers are terrible
It seems like you're prepared to jump because the current state of rappers is abysmal.
And the game is unbearable but I'ma fix, fix
The rap industry has become intolerable, but rest assured, I will fix it.
This feeling that's dead in you got your brains like a vegetable
The emotion that has died within you has left your mind dull and lifeless like a vegetable.
Use the pro tools and tell 'em to edit it, it
Utilize the professional tools available and instruct them to edit the situation accordingly.
Switch to somethin' that's better fool, turn it up what you better do
Transition to something superior, my friend; amplify your actions to a greater level.
When I'm bringing revenge to you it sounds like this, this, this
When I exact revenge upon you, it will be manifested audibly, sounding like this, this, this.
Somebody call the doctor
It's necessary to summon a doctor.
(You're not breathin', you're not breathin')
You are experiencing a lack of breath or struggling to breathe.
They ain't gonna be well after this one right here
They will not be in good condition or wellness once this specific event takes place.
Just make sure they learn the name
Make certain that they become familiar with and remember the name.
That's about to be runnin' the game
That person is about to dominate the rap industry.
I'm not leavin', I'm not leavin'
I want to emphasize that I am not departing or going away from this situation.
Houston, Texas, I'm here now
I have arrived in Houston, Texas, and I am present and ready.
Anybody gotta problem?
Does anyone have an issue or concern?
Speak now or forever hold your peace
If you have something to say, now is your opportunity; otherwise, accept things as they are.
I ain't think so, yeah
I didn't think so, as expected.
The feeling's great 'cause they pay me, I expect some hatred so daily
I feel amazing because I am getting paid for my work, and I anticipate receiving hatred on a daily basis.
I'm sticking the middle finger up like the feeling's mutual baby
I am defiantly raising my middle finger, indicating that the feeling of animosity is reciprocated, my dear.
The franchise and they say that the future can't really trade me
I am the cornerstone of the industry, and despite what others may say, my value is so high that the future cannot easily relinquish me.
In Houston, I'm number one like I'm in the place of McGrady
Within Houston, I hold the highest position, similar to how Tracy McGrady was revered when he played for the city's basketball team.
But keep on pacing it baby, the full truth has arrived
Continue with your nervous pacing, my dear, as the complete truth has now emerged.
If they ask you about you nigga, you fin' to lie
If they inquire about your true self, my friend, you are likely to fabricate the truth.
They ask me about me and hear a truthful reply
When they inquire about me, they receive a genuine and honest response.
They said they seem none better than me so hear the truth wit'cha eyes
They acknowledge that there is no one superior to me, so let the truth be known through your observation.
Better go take over befo' it rains
You should go and seize control before a storm approaches.
'Cause I'd hate to say that I told you Mayne
I would dislike having to remind you, my friend, that I predicted this outcome.
I know, I know what you're gonna say
I already know, I have an understanding of what you're going to say.
But have it your way
However, feel free to proceed according to your own preferences and desires.
I know these haters is gonna hate
I am aware that these individuals who detest me will continue to harbor their negative feelings.
And I see that angry look on your face
I can perceive the angry expression on your face.
Tell 'em sound of revenge is on the way
Inform others that the sound of revenge is imminent.
This isn't your day
Today is not your lucky or fortunate day.
Lookin' for the truth, they ask me where have you been?
In search of honesty, they inquire about my whereabouts and actions.
Getting ready for these haters, I got somethin' for them
Preparing myself for these haters, as I have something in store for them.
You're real quiet 'til you think you hear a sound in the wind
You remain silent until you believe you hear a noise carried on the wind.
You turn around 'cause you think you hear that sound once again
You quickly pivot or look behind you because you suspect you heard that sound once more.
You hear that?
Do you hear it?
(Yeah what's that?)
(Yes, what is that?)
That's The Sound of Revenge
That, my friend, is the sound that signifies the arrival of revenge.
See, I told you
As you can see, I was correct in my prediction.
That's what happens when you get on his bad side
That's the consequence of ending up in a negative relationship with him.
Chamillitary Mayne
Introducing Chamillitary Mayne, the individual referenced throughout the song.
And now for The Sound of Revenge
And now, we present to you The Sound of Revenge.
Lyrics © CLARKJAY PRODUCTIONS, INC., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John B Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind