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.)
Respect My Grind
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My rhyme's the kinda rhyme, that make niggas punch nine
One what dumb-dumb, the police gotta come down
And keep the kids from crying, too late cause you done dying
Raps dying without me, I need to breathe some breath in it
It seems like it's a shortage, of real niggas left in it
Ain't no if's and's or but's, somebody is deaf in it
The game got a lot of rappers, but I am the best in it nigga move
Fake niggas step aside, cause them real niggas coming through
You can try to stop my shine, but there is nothing you can do-oo
We ready, we ready for you
So respect my hustle my struggle, my mind and my grind
I can make it to the top, when they was saying I would lose
Now I got my middle finger, talking back to you
I done paid my dues, to get me respect where it's due
So respect my hustle my struggle, my mind and my grind
Gotta grind, gotta stay on my grind
If your scheme ain't bout green, your transaction get declined
If your scheme ain't bout green, I forgot it nevermind
If your team ain't my team, get in line and get behind
I'm next up in line, headed up there with Jay-Z and them
Big E and Em-inem, and I can't even swim
But ain't too many niggas I know, that go as deep as them
And me uh-um freestyle, naw I don't need a pen
It's me your kin, the one major labels love to call
Got Chamillionaire on the line did you get him, naw
Yep I kept with it, the rapper got slept with it
Said my mixtapes was cool, and my album had no depth in it
Niggas criticizing Koopa, now Koopa addressing it
Stop crying playa, go get a dress and go dress in it
Or put your money against my uppercut punch, and let's win it
Your right eye swollen shut, and your left get left squinted Koopa
I'm the people's champ, you the people's chump
You talking BFI trash, but you still a punk
I'm on the road to success, and I'm ready to drive
I'm in the fast lane, you still trying to catch a ride
I heard it through the grapevine, you been talking down
But you be riding my dick, soon as I come around
I know you see me shining, I know it hurts your heart
I'm one hundred percent, I've been it from the start
I always kept it real, you always kept it fake
I always showed love, you always showed hate
You think the game owe you, but you ain't got a clue
If you be good to the game, it'll be good to you
You claiming that you real, but you like a piece of glass
I can see through your lies, you falling off fast
You trying to sprint as fast as you can, the whole race
But you'd be better off, keeping at a steady pace stay in ya place
In “Respect My Grind”, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire sing about their perseverance and dedication to game, despite the many challenges they have faced. They emphasize the importance of hard work and effort in achieving success, and encourage other rappers to do the same. The song also highlights their discontentment with the state of rap music, which they feel has been diluted by fake artists who lack originality and substance. They declare their superiority to other rappers, stating that their lyrics are more than just punchlines, but rather they have depth and meaning.
The first verse of the song describes the differences between their rhymes and those of others, dissecting the qualities that make their style unique. The following verses then speaks to the doubts, criticisms, and hatred they have experienced in their musical journey. Paul Wall and Chamillionaire prove that they have put in the work with the accomplishments they have achieved, but also suggest that reaching the top requires more than just talent. The hook of the song admonishes fake rappers to “step aside”, warning them that they have no chance of standing up to the “real niggas” coming through. The song concludes with them cautioning rappers to stay in their lane, and work hard and steadily in building their music careers.
Line by Line Meaning
See your rhyme's the kinda rhyme, that's flooded with punch lines
Your style of rapping consists mainly of catchy one-liners
My rhyme's the kinda rhyme, that make niggas punch nine
My lyrics are so provocative, they can incite violence in others
One what dumb-dumb, the police gotta come down
You will end up in jail if you cannot control yourself and resort to violence
And keep the kids from crying, too late cause you done dying
Your actions will have negative consequences on both yourself and those around you
Raps dying without me, I need to breathe some breath in it
The rap industry needs real talent like me to survive
It seems like it's a shortage, of real niggas left in it
There are not many genuine and authentic rappers in the industry anymore
Ain't no if's and's or but's, somebody is deaf in it
People are ignoring the problems in the rap industry
The game got a lot of rappers, but I am the best in it nigga move
There may be a lot of competition, but I am still the best in the game
Fake niggas step aside, cause them real niggas coming through
In my presence, fake people need to step down for the real people
You can try to stop my shine, but there is nothing you can do-oo
Despite your attempts to prevent my success, you will never succeed
We ready, we ready for you
I am ready and willing to confront any challenges or obstacles
So respect my hustle my struggle, my mind and my grind
Acknowledge and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and perseverance I put into my craft
I can make it to the top, when they was saying I would lose
Despite the odds against me, I am still capable of achieving success
Now I got my middle finger, talking back to you
I am expressing my contempt and disregard for those who doubted me
I done paid my dues, to get me respect where it's due
I have worked hard and earned the recognition and respect I deserve
Gotta grind, gotta stay on my grind
I need to continue putting in work and striving for success
If your scheme ain't bout green, your transaction get declined
If you are not offering a profitable opportunity or deal, I am not interested
If your scheme ain't bout green, I forgot it nevermind
If you do not have a lucrative proposition, there is no need to waste time discussing it
If your team ain't my team, get in line and get behind
If you are not a part of my group, you need to follow and support me
I'm next up in line, headed up there with Jay-Z and them
I am destined for greatness and will soon be in the ranks of successful and respected rappers like Jay-Z
Big E and Em-inem, and I can't even swim
I am up there with Eminem and Biggie, despite not having as much experience or skill as them
But ain't too many niggas I know, that go as deep as them
There are not many rappers who have experiences or perspectives as profound as mine
And me uh-um freestyle, naw I don't need a pen
I am capable of improvising and creating lyrics on the spot without any preparation
It's me your kin, the one major labels love to call
I am well-connected in the industry and am frequently sought after by record labels
Got Chamillionaire on the line did you get him, naw
I am not interested in collaborating or working with Chamillionaire
Yep I kept with it, the rapper got slept with it
Despite criticism, I still remained true to my style and did not compromise my integrity
Said my mixtapes was cool, and my album had no depth in it
Critics praised my mixtapes, but claimed my album lacked substance
Niggas criticizing Koopa, now Koopa addressing it
People have been criticizing me, but I am now responding and defending myself
Stop crying playa, go get a dress and go dress in it
Instead of whining or complaining, try improving yourself and your situation
Or put your money against my uppercut punch, and let's win it
Let's compete and see who comes out on top
Your right eye swollen shut, and your left get left squinted Koopa
If you challenge me, you will end up beaten and humiliated
I'm the people's champ, you the people's chump
I am beloved and admired by many, while you are despised and ridiculed
You talking BFI trash, but you still a punk
You may be using vulgar language to insult me, but you are still a coward
I'm on the road to success, and I'm ready to drive
I am determined and confident in my ability to achieve success
I'm in the fast lane, you still trying to catch a ride
I am making rapid progress towards success, while you are still struggling to catch up
I heard it through the grapevine, you been talking down
I have heard rumors that you have been speaking negatively about me
But you be riding my dick, soon as I come around
Despite criticizing me, you still try to befriend me when we are in the same vicinity
I know you see me shining, I know it hurts your heart
You envy and resent my success and are unable to mask your jealousy
I'm one hundred percent, I've been it from the start
I am unapologetically myself and have been genuine and authentic since the beginning
I always kept it real, you always kept it fake
I have always been honest and true, while you have been deceitful and phony
You think the game owe you, but you ain't got a clue
You believe you are entitled to success, but you are ignorant and misguided
If you be good to the game, it'll be good to you
If you work hard and earn the respect of the industry, it will reward you
You claiming that you real, but you like a piece of glass
Despite claiming to be genuine and authentic, you are actually fragile and easily broken
I can see through your lies, you falling off fast
I am able to recognize and expose your deceitfulness and declining success
You trying to sprint as fast as you can, the whole race
You are desperately trying to compete and succeed, but are ultimately failing
But you'd be better off, keeping at a steady pace stay in ya place
Instead of striving for unattainable success, you should focus on steady progress and staying in your lane
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adrainisaac2123
Ya'll started out with with your brother! I Have seen a bunch of friends start out friend's and end up enemy's The music is what we love, Big Beaumont TX We can't afford it Lose Anything from H town! Love it Mann!
@YoJoPIMP
the hook on this is a part from the mixtape messiah og ron c guttamix song thing i believe
@Moncriefs
Yessir! Just listened to it, it’s so fckn good
@himrbean100
This been fiya