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.)
Just Paul Wall
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain't easy bein' the People's Champ
It's the new me, new me, new me, new me,
True, a lot of struggles I done been through and still goin' through
Let me show you what it's like to be me (Paul Wall, Paul Wall baby)
I'm not your average guy, I'm more than meets the eye
I know I'm friendly and fly, but let me tell you why
My daddy was a dope fiend, I ain't seen him since the second grade
I sing the same song, deadbeat dad, single mom
I was always in the crawl, yet and still I was alone
I kept my faith in God, even in my younger days
I gave my life to Christ, got down on my knees and prayed
And God answered our prayers and momma remarried
All the burdens she carried, I must admit that it was scary
Somehow I got a real man as my father figure
Thangs started gettin better for my momma and my sister
Pain took me from a boy to a man
I knew I'd make it to the end if I could stick to the plan
People judge me off my music but they never even met me
But I'd introduce myself if you'd let me - Paul Wall baby
[Chorus]
See I've been doin this here for a while
Eventually y'all boys gon' respect me dog
I'm Paul Wall - until it's over I'ma ball 'til I fall
I'm the greatest in a minute ch'all
Let me tell you if you knew me (knew me) yeah the true me (true me)
Not the glamour and glitz that y'all do see (do see)
I'm just a regular G, I gotta do me (do me)
I'm 'bout to introduce y'all boys to the new me, c'mon
It's more to me than all this glamor and glitz
I spent my whole life broke, I'm just tryin' to get rich
I kept it real all my life, I never stepped on toes
But somehow my friends keep turnin' into my foes
My ex keep callin' me, but I don't wanna talk to her
So then she call the laws on me like I'm the one stalkin' her
My new girl say I don't love her enough
But all the hatin' friends jealous cause I love her too much
I'm drinkin' bottles of Patron tryin' to drink away my troubles
But bein' an alcoholic only make things double
People judge me off my music but they never even met me
But I'd introduce myself if you'd let me, Paul Wall baby
[Chorus]
You think you know me man? But you don't know me mayne
Just because you shake my hand don't mean that you my homey mayne
It's people prayin' on my downfall
And I can't understand why, cause I show love to alla y'all
People are grateful for the favors you show 'em
But when they need you for another one they still act like you owe 'em
Everybody be takin' credit for somethin' they ain't do
But you need to quit reachin' and stand on your own two
I always stayed humble, I never once changed
I never got a ego or a big head cause of fame
People judge me off my music but they never even met me
But I'd introduce myself if you'd let me, Paul Wall baby
[Chorus]
I'm Paul Wall, I'm the People's Champ
But it ain't easy bein' me
I done put in my fair share of work, blood, sweat, and tears, for real
Passin' out flowers at the club
Doin' freestyles that don't go on mixtapes
I ain't understand it then but, now I understand it
It's a bigger picture than just what you think
You gotta think outside the box and try to make it
It's chess moves, not checkers baby
In "Just Paul Wall," Paul Wall reflects on the struggles he has faced throughout his life and the misconceptions people have about him. He explains that although he may seem like a typical rapper with fame and money, there is more to him than meets the eye. Paul Wall was abandoned by his father at an early age, and he spent most of his life with a single mom. Despite this, he turned to God and found a father figure to guide him. He acknowledges that people often judge him based solely on his music, but he wants to introduce himself to them and show them who he truly is.
The chorus of "Just Paul Wall" speaks to his determination to continue pursuing his dreams regardless of the obstacles he's faced. He asserts that even though people may not give him the respect he deserves now, they will eventually see his greatness. He emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not getting caught up in the glamour and glitz of fame.
Overall, "Just Paul Wall" is a message to listeners that they shouldn't judge others based solely on appearances or career success but take the time to get to know people on a personal level. The song is also about resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Paul Wall, I'm the People's Champ
I am a well-known rapper and known by the people as the champion of the masses.
It ain't easy bein' the People's Champ
It is not easy to be popular and beloved by many people.
It's the new me, new me, new me, new me,
I am evolving and improving as a person, my previous self is gone, and I have changed for the better.
True, a lot of struggles I done been through and still goin' through
I have faced many difficult challenges in my life, and I am still coming across new hurdles.
Let me show you what it's like to be me (Paul Wall, Paul Wall baby)
Allow me to present to you the life experiences that have molded me into who I am, Paul Wall.
I'm not your average guy, I'm more than meets the eye
I am not ordinary, and there is more to me than what people see on the surface.
I know I'm friendly and fly, but let me tell you why
I am sociable and well-dressed, but there are reasons why I am the way I am.
I was abandoned at an early age
I was left alone when I was young by those who were supposed to take care of me.
My daddy was a dope fiend, I ain't seen him since the second grade
My father was a drug addict, and I have not seen him since I was in the second grade.
I sing the same song, deadbeat dad, single mom
I keep singing the same story of having a bad father and a single mother.
I was always in the crawl, yet and still I was alone
I was frequently sick as a child, yet I felt lonely even when I was surrounded by others.
I kept my faith in God, even in my younger days
I held onto my faith in God, even when I was young.
I gave my life to Christ, got down on my knees and prayed
I made the decision to become a Christian and prayed to God to help me in my life.
And God answered our prayers and momma remarried
My prayers were answered when my mother remarried.
All the burdens she carried, I must admit that it was scary
I was afraid that my mother's problems and responsibilities would crush her.
Somehow I got a real man as my father figure
I ended up with a good stepfather who became a father figure to me.
Thangs started gettin better for my momma and my sister
Things started improving for my mother and sister.
Pain took me from a boy to a man
The pain I experienced helped me grow into a mature adult.
I knew I'd make it to the end if I could stick to the plan
I had confidence that I would succeed if I stuck to my plan.
People judge me off my music but they never even met me
People make assumptions about me based on my music but do not know me personally.
But I'd introduce myself if you'd let me - Paul Wall baby
Although people do not know me personally, I am willing to introduce myself if given the opportunity.
See I've been doin this here for a while
I have been rapping for a significant amount of time.
Eventually y'all boys gon' respect me dog
I expect people to eventually start to respect my work and talent.
I'm Paul Wall - until it's over I'ma ball 'til I fall
I am Paul Wall, and I will continue to work and succeed until I cannot anymore.
I'm the greatest in a minute ch'all
I am one of the best rappers around right now.
Let me tell you if you knew me (knew me) yeah the true me (true me)
If people knew me personally, they would see the real me.
Not the glamour and glitz that y'all do see (do see)
People only see the flashy, public side of me.
I'm just a regular G, I gotta do me (do me)
I am just a regular person, and I have to live my life on my own terms.
I'm 'bout to introduce y'all boys to the new me, c'mon
I am going to show people the improved version of myself.
It's more to me than all this glamor and glitz
There is more to me than just the flashy, public side that people see.
I spent my whole life broke, I'm just tryin' to get rich
I have been poor my entire life, and I am now trying to become wealthy.
I kept it real all my life, I never stepped on toes
I have always been honest and respectful to others.
But somehow my friends keep turnin' into my foes
Some of my friends have turned against me for no apparent reason.
My ex keep callin' me, but I don't wanna talk to her
My ex keeps contacting me, but I do not want to communicate with her.
So then she call the laws on me like I'm the one stalkin' her
She called the authorities on me as if I were harassing her.
My new girl say I don't love her enough
My new partner feels as if I do not love her as much as I should.
But all the hatin' friends jealous cause I love her too much
My friends do not like my new girlfriend and are jealous of how much I care for her.
I'm drinkin' bottles of Patron tryin' to drink away my troubles
I am trying to forget my problems by drinking bottles of Patron.
But bein' an alcoholic only make things double
However, being an alcoholic only exacerbates my problems.
You think you know me man? But you don't know me mayne
People believe that they know me, but they do not know me at all.
Just because you shake my hand don't mean that you my homey mayne
Just because we shake hands does not mean that we are friends.
It's people prayin' on my downfall
Some people want me to fail and wish for my misfortune.
And I can't understand why, cause I show love to alla y'all
I am confused as to why people want me to fail, even though I treat everyone with kindness and respect.
People are grateful for the favors you show 'em
People appreciate when you do things for them.
But when they need you for another one they still act like you owe 'em
However, when they need something else from you, they act as if you still owe them more.
Everybody be takin' credit for somethin' they ain't do
People tend to take credit for things they did not contribute to.
But you need to quit reachin' and stand on your own two
You need to stop trying to take credit for things you did not do and start working hard on your own.
I always stayed humble, I never once changed
I have always remained grounded and never allowed my success to change me.
I never got a ego or a big head cause of fame
Despite my success, I have not become arrogant or self-important.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRYSTAL ANDERSON, CALVIN EARL AVENT, TODD EDWARDS BERRY, DARIUS JERRIAL COLEMAN, DOMINIC ANDRE HARRIS, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON, JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind