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.)
My Life feat. Mark G. Kyle Lee
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y'all don't know a thing, about my life
(my life) my life (my life)
In my life, a lot of haters talking shit
And I might, expose you hoes you out this bitch
And I ride, with the nine I won't fall or slip
If I die, they still will not get off my dick
And I smile, cause they been trying to test me a while
But I cry, cause not all my partnas alive
But I smile, cause I know all my partnas with God
In my life, a lot of haters baller blocking my shine
I stay calm, even though I ought to drop em a nine
In my life, I make cash using hoes
And my Sprite, is purple so I'm moving slow
On my side, my dogs moving rocks and hay
And I slide, by how I'm chopping blades
When I drive, I got a big cup of syrup
When I glide, I ride with a couple birds
In my life, I feel like I stand alone
But you still wouldn't leave, out of San Anton'
When I die, don't cry get high for me
So you can feel, like you flying in the sky with me
[Chorus: x4]
In my life, I went from a straw hat to a crown
I been through a few up's, and a whole lot of downs
I take the good with the bad, however the ball bounce
And lately, I've been walking on dangerous ground
It feels like my own partnas, don't want me around
Cause everybody in my crew, be trying to argue me down
They telling me I changed, and I'm not the same
But for the past three years, I've been saying the same thang
I've done a lot of dirt, but I don't brag about it
And since I don't rap about it, you don't know jack about it
People see me being friendly, and they think they know me
But just cause I shake your hand, don't mean you my homie
I got a personality complex, man I'm so complex
But if you come with plex, this ain't fun plex
I'm walking straight, but my mind's in a maze
The only thing that I'm afraid of, is being afraid
I done stared death in the face, I ain't budge one inch
He here beating up myself, and I still don't flinch
Somebody pinch me, I hope I'm dreaming
I'm searching inside my heart, trying to find the meaning of my life
[Chorus: x4]
Y'all don't know shit, about my life
It ain't all about the hoes, gold and ice
I go from down to up, up to down
In a blink of an eye, smiles turn to frowns
Kings get crowned, the rich get rich
Where everybody live, screaming life is a bitch
I ball in the mix, and keep to myself
I don't just want to be, another book on the shelf
A lot of y'all fakers, faking the game
I'm one of the real niggas, that's bringing the pain
I've seen hard times, so I spit hard rhymes
I've been around, different people of all kinds
And to this day, I got a few riddle friends
Too many of y'all, that's so fake and pretend
To be what you not, that's why you get got
Don't fuck with my life, that's all that I got
My life-my life-my life-my life, is all I got
Fuck with my life-my life-my life-my life, and you will get dropped
[Chorus: x4]
The lyrics of Paul Wall's song "My Life" feat. Mark G. Kyle Lee reveal the struggles and challenges he has faced in his life, especially dealing with haters who try to bring him down. He recognizes that not all of his friends are alive and he tries to survive like Destiny's Child. He has been through a lot of ups and downs and takes the good with the bad. He is walking on dangerous ground and his own friends don't want to be with him anymore. He is frustrated that people think they know him just because he shakes their hand, but that doesn't make them his homie. He acknowledges that his complex personality can be difficult for others to understand, and that he is afraid of being afraid. He has faced death and has not flinched. He just wants people to understand that his life is all he's got, and they should not mess with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all don't know a thing, about my life
You don't have a clue about my experiences and struggles
In my life, a lot of haters talking shit
I've faced a lot of negativity and criticism from others
And I might, expose you hoes you out this bitch
I won't hesitate to call out and expose those who are disrespecting me
And I ride, with the nine I won't fall or slip
I'm determined to stay strong and focused, no matter what challenges come my way
If I die, they still will not get off my dick
Even in death, some people will still be obsessed with me or criticizing me
But I try, to survive like Destiny's Child
I'm making every effort to survive and push through tough times, like the girl group Destiny's Child
And I smile, cause they been trying to test me a while
Despite the hardships, I'm able to keep a positive attitude and keep going
But I cry, cause not all my partnas alive
I feel sadness and pain when I think about the friends I've lost over the years
But I smile, cause I know all my partnas with God
I find solace in the fact that my friends who have passed away are now in a better place
In my life, a lot of haters baller blocking my shine
Many people are trying to prevent me from achieving success and holding me back
I stay calm, even though I ought to drop em a nine
Despite feeling anger and frustration, I manage to stay composed and not retaliate with violence
In my life, I make cash using hoes
I earn money by exploiting women
And my Sprite, is purple so I'm moving slow
I drink purple Sprite, which contains codeine, a drug that causes drowsiness and makes me feel relaxed
On my side, my dogs moving rocks and hay
My friends are selling drugs
And I slide, by how I'm chopping blades
I'm able to evade the law by driving a car with customized rims
When I drive, I got a big cup of syrup
I drink lean, a mixture of codeine, Sprite, and Jolly Ranchers, while driving
When I glide, I ride with a couple birds
I travel with a few women who are attracted to my wealth and fame
In my life, I feel like I stand alone
I often feel isolated and alone, despite having many acquaintances and fans
But you still wouldn't leave, out of San Anton'
Despite the challenges, I still love my hometown of San Antonio and wouldn't want to leave
When I die, don't cry get high for me
When I pass away, instead of mourning, celebrate my life by getting high
So you can feel, like you flying in the sky with me
By getting high, you can connect with me in spirit and feel closer to me
In my life, I went from a straw hat to a crown
I've gone from being unknown and humble to being successful and famous
I been through a few up's, and a whole lot of downs
I've experienced successes and failures throughout my career and personal life
I take the good with the bad, however the ball bounce
I accept both positive and negative outcomes, and take them in stride
And lately, I've been walking on dangerous ground
I've recently been taking risks and facing potentially negative consequences
It feels like my own partnas, don't want me around
Some of my friends or associates seem to be turning against me or pushing me away
Cause everybody in my crew, be trying to argue me down
My team and I have been having disagreements and conflicts
They telling me I changed, and I'm not the same
Some people are accusing me of being different and not true to who I used to be
But for the past three years, I've been saying the same thang
Despite the accusations, I haven't changed my views or attitudes for the past few years
I've done a lot of dirt, but I don't brag about it
I've engaged in questionable or illegal activities, but I don't boast or brag about them
And since I don't rap about it, you don't know jack about it
Since I don't mention those activities in my music, you don't know about them
People see me being friendly, and they think they know me
People assume that they understand me simply because I'm approachable and friendly
But just cause I shake your hand, don't mean you my homie
Despite being friendly, I'm cautious about who I let into my inner circle
I got a personality complex, man I'm so complex
I have a complicated and multi-faceted personality
But if you come with plex, this ain't fun plex
If you approach me with negativity or aggression, it won't end well
I'm walking straight, but my mind's in a maze
I'm able to maintain my composure outwardly, but my thoughts and emotions are complicated and confusing
The only thing that I'm afraid of, is being afraid
My biggest fear is losing my confidence and becoming scared or anxious
I done stared death in the face, I ain't budge one inch
I've faced situations where my life was in danger, but I didn't back down or show fear
He here beating up myself, and I still don't flinch
Even when I'm facing mental or emotional struggles, I don't show any outward signs of weakness
Somebody pinch me, I hope I'm dreaming
Sometimes I have to question whether my success and fame are real or just a dream
I'm searching inside my heart, trying to find the meaning of my life
I'm reflecting on my life and trying to understand the deeper purpose of my experiences and successes
Y'all don't know shit, about my life
You really don't have a clue about the complexities of my experiences and struggles
It ain't all about the hoes, gold and ice
Contrary to popular belief, my life isn't solely about material possessions or women
I go from down to up, up to down
My life has had its share of highs and lows
In a blink of an eye, smiles turn to frowns
The happy moments in life can quickly turn into sad ones
Kings get crowned, the rich get rich
The wealthy and powerful continue to gain more success and prosperity
Where everybody live, screaming life is a bitch
Many people are unhappy with their lives and feel that the world is unfair
I ball in the mix, and keep to myself
I'm successful and famous, but I prefer to remain private and not be too involved with others
I don't just want to be, another book on the shelf
I don't want to be forgotten and blend in with the rest of the crowd
A lot of y'all fakers, faking the game
Many people in the music industry are fake and not authentic
I'm one of the real niggas, that's bringing the pain
I'm one of the few genuine and talented artists who's making an impact in the industry
I've seen hard times, so I spit hard rhymes
I've experienced struggles and hardships, which inspires me to create impactful music
I've been around, different people of all kinds
I've had the opportunity to meet and work with many diverse individuals
And to this day, I got a few riddle friends
To this day, I still have some close friends who are difficult to understand or predict
Too many of y'all, that's so fake and pretend
There are too many people who are dishonest and insincere in my industry
To be what you not, that's why you get got
If you try to pretend to be someone you're not, you'll eventually be exposed or criticized
Don't fuck with my life, that's all that I got
My life and personal experiences are important to me, so don't try to interfere or disrespect them
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD HUGO, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, PHARRELL L WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind