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.)
Ridin Dirty
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We over here in the Gridiron, three in the mornin'
This song here is dedicated to all them boys that put it down befo' us
The foundation, know'm talkin' bout?
[Chorus]
Pimpin' hoes, slammin' Cadillac do's (already)
Shawty understand this is how we roll (already)
VA to H-Town yeah you already know
Choppin' on blades so amazin' (already)
Look at them boy's teeth, that's crazy (already)
The lean and the weed got us lazy (already)
Yellow boppers is boppin' but you already know
I'm comin' straight out of the South, with my nuts in my hand
It's the Swishahouse, the third coast, the state of Texas that's my land
Who's the man that's in demand, it's Paul Wall baby yeah that's me
I put it down on that Gov Bang, but now I reside on that South Lee
And I'm hustlin, on the grind, seventy-two, I was straight
No time to eat or sleep, I'm stackin' licks that just won't wait
I'm campaignin' for a Benz, on the rims with bubble lens
So I'm stackin' every dollar I see, hundreds, fifties, twenties and tens
Do's open and do's close, never sweat hoes, players get chose
Hustle and flow, cars close, that's the player life that I know
Roll the dank up, where's the 'dro, po' the drank up, where's the fo'
Stackin' money all on the low and we still ridin' dirty pimpin'
[Chorus]
I'm ridin' drop-top on them roller skates, candy Charlie ranchin' paint
Enjoyin' the spoils of hard work, in grind mode tryin' to get that bank
I don't know what these boys thank, my motivation is Benjamin Franklin
I'm tryin' to maintain this wealth that I been calculatin'
Gettin' money that's all I know, on my toes never off my note
Wood grain and hundred spokes, I weigh the trunk just like a pro
I grind it's off to work I go, I hustle hard it's non-stop
And if I flop I switch the hustle, I learn the game and then set-up shop
I'm strivin' to make it to the top, it's all or nothin' no turnin' back
I'm with them boys out on the block, accumulatin' them paper stacks
I'm makin' money it's where it's at, whatever it takes, crackerjack
In love with my money and that's a fact and we still ridin' dirty pimpin'
[Chorus]
Right now we got the fifth wheel reclinin'
Trunk is popped up, screens fallin' from the sky
I got the candy paint sprayed by Eddie
And I'm ridin' on that glassy chrome, all courtesy of my hustle game,
Be a hustler's in my bloodline, I don't complain or whine
I just get on my grind, puttin' in work overtime
I learned overtime, many hustles of every kind
Whatever it takes to make a dime, I keep that paper on my mind
I was born blind, but now I see the road to riches
It's a long road, full of hurdles potholes and ditches
Benard Freeman taught me to keep it movin' when you take a loss
And Chad Butler taught me to keep it trill at all cost
I peeped game from the best, and since then I been playin' chess
I put in work with no rest, to get that paper that's my quest
I'm on a slow grind towards success, one of the best cause I keep it fresh
I'm one hundred and nothin' less and I'm still ridin' dirty pimpin'
[Chorus]
On behalf of the People's Champ, me myself Pretty Todd and Calvin Earl
Funky Fingers I hear ya baby, we'd like to thank ya for ya purchase
Keep holdin' the South down, because, we are
The song Ridin' Dirty by Paul Wall is an ode to the life of a southern (specifically Texan) pimp. The chorus of the song discusses pimping hoes, slamming Cadillac doors, and park-lot pimping on Vogues; all of which are staples of the pimp lifestyle. The first verse features Paul Wall detailing his come up as a hustler, and it starts with him describing himself standing with his nuts in his hand. This is an expression meaning he has prepared himself for any obstacles that may come his way. He goes on to brag about the money he's made as a hustler and his aspirations to own a Benz with bubble lens rims. The second verse speaks to the struggles of being a hustler and how he's learned to switch his hustle up if he's not making money. He also discusses the people who have influenced his life and helped him understand the game. The song concludes with a dedication to all the people who put it down before them, and they thank the people who support them.
The song was released in 2005 as part of the album "The Peoples Champ", and it quickly became a hit. It peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, was certified platinum, and was named one of the best rap songs of the decade by Pitchfork. The song's producer, Salih Williams, created a beat that sampled Turtles' song Outside Chance. Additionally, Paul Wall created the hook of the song, which begins with the repetition of "already," explaining how his lifestyle is already established and one-of-a-kind.
Line by Line Meaning
Yuh, knahmtalkinbout
Greetings, do you understand what I am saying?
We over here in the Gridiron, three in the mornin'
We are currently located in Gridiron area at 3 AM.
This song here is dedicated to all them boys that put it down befo' us
This song is dedicated to all the people who came before us and paved the way.
The foundation, know'm talkin' bout?
The foundation of our success, do you understand what I am talking about?
Pimpin' hoes, slammin' Cadillac do's (already)
We are already engaged in the activities of pimping and slamming Cadillac doors.
Shawty understand this is how we roll (already)
The ladies are aware that this is how we live our life.
Parkin' lot pimpin' on Vogues (already)
We are already doing pimping in the parking lot with Vogues wheels.
VA to H-Town yeah you already know
From Virginia to Houston, everyone is aware of our business.
Choppin' on blades so amazin' (already)
We are already amazing while cruising on our blades.
Look at them boy's teeth, that's crazy (already)
The teeth of those guys look very good, that's astonishing.
The lean and the weed got us lazy (already)
We are already too lazy due to our consumption of lean and weed.
Yellow boppers is boppin' but you already know
Yellow-dressed attractive ladies are dancing, but that's nothing new.
I'm comin' straight out of the South, with my nuts in my hand
I am from the southern region and I am not afraid to hustle.
It's the Swishahouse, the third coast, the state of Texas that's my land
Swishahouse production representing the third coast and the land of Texas.
Who's the man that's in demand, it's Paul Wall baby yeah that's me
I am the man everyone wants, and I am Paul Wall.
I put it down on that Gov Bang, but now I reside on that South Lee
I used to hustle on Gov Bang street but now, my home is situated on South Lee.
And I'm hustlin, on the grind, seventy-two, I was straight
I am always grinding and hustling, ever since I was 72 hours old.
No time to eat or sleep, I'm stackin' licks that just won't wait
I don't have time for basic necessities like sleep or food, as I am focusing on stacking my earnings.
I'm campaignin' for a Benz, on the rims with bubble lens
I am trying my best to have enough money to buy a Benz with rims and bubble lenses.
So I'm stackin' every dollar I see, hundreds, fifties, twenties and tens
I am saving each and every dollar that comes in contact with me, including hundred, fifty, twenty, and ten dollars bills.
Do's open and do's close, never sweat hoes, players get chose
Car doors open and close, I never worry about the females present, because as a player, I get to choose.
Hustle and flow, cars close, that's the player life that I know
Hustling with a smooth flow, cruising with stylish cars, that's the player lifestyle that resonates with me.
Roll the dank up, where's the 'dro, po' the drank up, where's the fo'
Roll the cannabis, where is the hydro? Pour the beverage, where is the foil?
Stackin' money all on the low and we still ridin' dirty pimpin'
We are accumulating wealth discreetly while simultaneously pimping our lifestyle.
I'm ridin' drop-top on them roller skates, candy Charlie ranchin' paint
I am driving my convertible with fancy roller-skate wheels and candy coated body paint.
Enjoyin' the spoils of hard work, in grind mode tryin' to get that bank
I am currently enjoying the reward of relentless hard work, while simultaneously trying to increase my earnings.
I don't know what these boys thank, my motivation is Benjamin Franklin
I don't know what these guys are thinking, but Benjamin Franklin is my motivation.
I'm tryin' to maintain this wealth that I been calculatin'
I endeavor to maintain the wealth that I have carefully calculated previously.
Gettin' money that's all I know, on my toes never off my note
Generating income is what I know best, I am always alert and never stray from my duties.
Wood grain and hundred spokes, I weigh the trunk just like a pro
I prefer wood grain and hundred-spoke wheels on my ride, and I handle the trunk like a professional.
I grind it's off to work I go, I hustle hard it's non-stop
As soon as I wake up, I am ready to start grinding and hustling, and I never take a break.
And if I flop I switch the hustle, I learn the game and then set-up shop
If one hustle doesn't work out for me, I quickly adapt and switch to another. I always learn the game before I start a new one.
I'm strivin' to make it to the top, it's all or nothin' no turnin' back
I am highly ambitious and I work hard to reach the top. There is no turning back now.
I'm with them boys out on the block, accumulatin' them paper stacks
I am with my associates on the street, collecting and accumulating paper stacks.
I'm makin' money it's where it's at, whatever it takes, crackerjack
Making money is the ultimate goal, and I will do whatever it takes to reach there.
In love with my money and that's a fact and we still ridin' dirty pimpin'
I am in love with my money, and that's true. Meanwhile, we continue to pimp our lifestyle in a discreet manner.
Right now we got the fifth wheel reclinin'
At the moment, the fifth wheel is comfortably reclining.
Trunk is popped up, screens fallin' from the sky
The trunk is open, and screens are falling out from it.
I got the candy paint sprayed by Eddie
Eddie has done an excellent job of painting my ride with candy paint.
And I'm ridin' on that glassy chrome, all courtesy of my hustle game
I am cruising with chrome wheels that shine like glass, and I have earned them through relentless hustle.
Be a hustler's in my bloodline, I don't complain or whine
Being a hustler runs in my family, and I never complain or whine about it.
I just get on my grind, puttin' in work overtime
I work hard and hustle continuously, often exceeding the regular work hours.
I learned overtime, many hustles of every kind
I have learned various hustles over time, all of which helps me in my endeavors.
Whatever it takes to make a dime, I keep that paper on my mind
I am willing to do anything to secure a profit, and I always keep earning on my mind.
I was born blind, but now I see the road to riches
I was initially unaware of the path that leads to wealth, but now I have a clear vision.
It's a long road, full of hurdles potholes and ditches
The road to wealth and prosperity is long and full of obstacles.
Benard Freeman taught me to keep it movin' when you take a loss
Benard Freeman taught me to keep moving forward even when I face a loss.
And Chad Butler taught me to keep it trill at all cost
Chad Butler taught me to stay true to myself and to be authentic, no matter what.
I peeped game from the best, and since then I been playin' chess
I have learned from the best, and ever since have been strategizing and making smart moves.
I put in work with no rest, to get that paper that's my quest
I tirelessly work without resting to accomplish my objective which is earning money.
I'm on a slow grind towards success, one of the best cause I keep it fresh
I am gradually making progress towards success and always make sure to stay relevant and fresh.
I'm one hundred and nothin' less and I'm still ridin' dirty pimpin'
I am always one hundred percent authentic and genuine, and I continue to discreetly pimp my lifestyle.
On behalf of the People's Champ, me myself Pretty Todd and Calvin Earl
On behalf of the People's Champ, myself, Pretty Todd, and Calvin Earl.
Funky Fingers I hear ya baby, we'd like to thank ya for ya purchase
Funky Fingers, I hear you, and we appreciate your support by purchasing our music.
Keep holdin' the South down, because we are
Keep representing the southern region because I am.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CALVIN EARL, PAUL WALL, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON, TODD BERRY, TODD EDWARDS BERRY, TREMAINE NEVERSON, TREMAINE ALDON NEVERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@clipperddafishdog4103
12 years later this track still goes hard
@amendez615
09 9am 9⁹
@michaell2965
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@raysmithpt25
Extremely underrated
@mzchar1999
I forgot how smooth Trey's voice was on this track. I was so young when this album came out. I think I was like 5. Considered a classic in my playlist.
@antoniomatthews4459
Yeah that boy doin it aint he
@jaretmane
Seriously can't get enough of this song since ive discovered it a few days ago
@theodorehuxtable6001
Jaret Wood AWWWREADY...
@tahneeblack9667
Its 2020 and I'm still bumping this song !!!!!
@topdawg6643
Still a classic. Straight chillin