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.)
Know What Im Talkin' About
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know I'm tal'n bout, already
I'm just saying though
[Hook - 2x]
It's going down, know I'm tal'n bout
(Know I'm tal'n bout)
I'm on the grind, know I'm tal'n bout
Every penny nickle and dime, well I still got time
Every dolla that I can find, know I'm tal'n bout
(Know I'm tal'n bout)
[Paul Wall]
I gotta get that money, I gotta get that cash
I gotta stack bread, cause I'm spending it fast
I got habits, that I just can't break
Just got a brand new car, cash on fifth gray
If I see it I want it, if I buy it I flaunt it
A Kenyon Martin high school jersey, worth at least five hundred
Everything I got authentic, from the clothes to the chain
A twenty thousand dolla mouth, man I love this game
Everything changed, when I started getting that money
From the land of milk and honey, when I smile it's sunny
Isn't it funny, how people say that money changed me
I ain't worried what they broke ass, think bout me
I'm riding on 83's, my rims are classic
24's under the Avalanche, looking Jurassic
Paint change like mirages, you don't know when you pass it
I'm big balling till I lay in a casket, already
[Hook - 2x]
In Paul Wall's song "Know What I'm Talkin' About" he expresses his relentless pursuit of financial success. The lyrics provide insights into the rapper's relentless mindset and work ethic. He emphasizes that he is always on the grind and that every penny, nickel, and dime counts towards his goal. Paul Wall acknowledges that he has expensive tastes and cannot break his habits. He also mentions that his newfound success has made people accuse him of changing. However, he dismisses these judgments and asserts that he is not worried about what other people think about him.
The song's hook repeats the phrase "know what I'm talkin' about," which adds emphasis to the lyrics and implies that the listener should relate to the message. By doing so, the song's overall theme becomes relatable, universalizing the idea of working hard towards one's goals. The lyrics are relevant to many people, especially to those who have experienced a dramatic change in their financial status.
Overall, "Know What I'm Talkin' About" serves as a testament to Paul Wall's work ethic and his focus on achieving success through hard work, tenacity, and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Know I'm tal'n bout, already
I want to make sure you understand what I'm about to say, it's important to me
It's going down, know I'm tal'n bout
Something is happening and I want you to be aware of it
I'm on the grind, know I'm tal'n bout
I'm working hard and putting in effort to achieve my goals
Every penny nickle and dime, well I still got time
I'm willing to work for even the smallest amount of money, because I know every bit counts
Every dolla that I can find, know I'm tal'n bout
I'm always looking for opportunities to earn more money
I gotta get that money, I gotta get that cash
Money is important to me and I need to keep earning it
I gotta stack bread, cause I'm spending it fast
I need to save my money because I tend to spend it quickly
I got habits, that I just can't break
I have expensive habits that are hard to give up
Just got a brand new car, cash on fifth gray
I recently bought a new car with cash, and it's a nice gray color
If I see it I want it, if I buy it I flaunt it
I have a tendency to buy things I want, and then show them off to others
A Kenyon Martin high school jersey, worth at least five hundred
I recently purchased an authentic Kenyon Martin jersey from high school, and it's worth a lot of money
Everything I got authentic, from the clothes to the chain
I only buy authentic things, including my clothing and jewelry
A twenty thousand dolla mouth, man I love this game
I spent $20,000 on dental work to improve my smile, and I enjoy living this lavish lifestyle
Everything changed, when I started getting that money
My life changed drastically once I started earning a lot of money
From the land of milk and honey, when I smile it's sunny
I come from a place where opportunities are abundant, and I'm happy with my life
Isn't it funny, how people say that money changed me
It's interesting how people accuse me of changing because of my money
I ain't worried what they broke ass, think bout me
I don't care what people who are financially struggling think about me
I'm riding on 83's, my rims are classic
I'm driving a car with 83-inch rims, which are a classic and impressive choice
24's under the Avalanche, looking Jurassic
My Chevy Avalanche truck has 24-inch rims, which look big and impressive
Paint change like mirages, you don't know when you pass it
The color of my car changes depending on the lighting, so you may not even notice it as you drive by
I'm big balling till I lay in a casket, already
I'm going to continue living my extravagant lifestyle until the day I die
Contributed by Caleb R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.