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.)
State to State
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we coming with the bump bump buuum!
Early! Yeah! Uh! It's The Roc, Swishahouse and we
Dumping on y'all hating ass niggas
And we hit y'all with the Bump Bump buuum
Early! Uh! Yeah! Uh!
Y'all better keep your weapons close
And this is the way we ball bring the raw
To your city got them semis
If you really want war
We gon bring it to your doorstep
Vests and them hoodies
And we pop pop pop
Through your body
Put the rest in your fitted
And this is the way you fall to the ground
An' you shaking nigga
State prop cock game and we gun a hater down
And we take a hater's pounds
And we sell a hater's bricks
And we the main reason why they chicks is not around
Somebody tell them that they're rockin' Houston
Swishahouse got that knockin' Houston we come and lock shit down
[Chorus]
Real niggas stand up point em we gon gun 'em haters down come around you hear that
And all my real bitches step up come to wipe a player down smoke a pound with him
Real niggas step up we gon gun 'em haters down come around you hear that
And all my real bitches step up come to wipe a player down smoke a pound with him
I hear these haters talking seem like they're getting louder
These sweet cupcakes softer than some clam chowder
I'm from the city to proudly serve crack rocks?
For twenty dollars get you higher than an astronaut
I keep a Glock in my state prop jeans
Floating on cloud nine goin' off codiene
I chuck a deuce to a hater
I'm on a mission for paper
I got Lil' Hawk with me serving dope fiends like a waiter
I'm on the south B with my boy do you
Big bank take little bank baby tell me what it do
These boys talking loud but they ain't saying a thang
But Paul Wall and Freeway will make 'em sang
[Chorus]
It's the Swishahouse state prop chain gang
.45 cal big Glock bang bang
I keep the Tupperware tucked in my underwear
Rain down thunder on these suckers make the clutter clear
Let's get one thing clear I run with grizzly bears
Bite you in your back and make you straighten out your chest hair
I'm 100 baby no time for playing games
I got a garden full of carats hanging in my chain
I keep a player bought my paper fuck a hater
Cause the real turn fake switching over like a cross fader
I'm squashing chatter climbing up the ladder
Cause my goal is to make my pockets fatter baby Paul Wall
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Paul Wall's song State to State describe the act of standing up against haters with the use of weapons, and the bravado and confidence of the rappers in their ability to defeat them. The chorus repeats the phrase "Real niggas stand up point em we gon gun 'em haters down" several times, emphasizing the violent message of the song. The verses are rapped by Paul Wall and Freeway, both boasting about their drug-dealing abilities and their willingness to use violence to protect their turf. The lyrics contain explicit language and glorify illegal activities.
Despite the violent content of the song, it was well-received by fans of Southern hip-hop and rap. The song was released on Swishahouse Records, one of the most successful independent labels in Houston's rap scene. It also features Freeway, a popular rapper from Philadelphia who was affiliated with Roc-A-Fella Records. State to State was included on Paul Wall's debut album, The People's Champ, which was released in 2005 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Line by Line Meaning
Free! Paul Wall!
Paul Wall is free and ready to make music
And we coming with the bump bump buuum!
Paul Wall and his team are bringing the energy and excitement with their music
Early! Yeah! Uh! It's The Roc, Swishahouse and we
Paul Wall is representing both The Roc and Swishahouse music labels
Dumping on y'all hating ass niggas
They are expressing their disdain for their haters and detractors
And we hit y'all with the Bump Bump buuum
They are hitting their haters with their music and talent
Y'all better keep your weapons close
They are warning their enemies to be prepared for a fight
It's Philly and Paul Wall
Paul Wall is working with rapper Freeway from Philadelphia
And this is the way we ball bring the raw
Paul Wall and Freeway are bringing their raw talent to the table
To your city got them semis
They are carrying weapons to defend themselves and make a statement
If you really want war
If their enemies want to fight, they are prepared to engage
We gon bring it to your doorstep
They are willing to take the fight to their enemies' front door
Vests and them hoodies
They are wearing protective gear to stay safe in the fight
And we pop pop pop
They are shooting their guns at their enemies
Through your body
They are aiming at their enemies' bodies
Put the rest in your fitted
They are placing the rest of the bullets in their enemies' hats
And this is the way you fall to the ground
They are describing how their enemies will fall when hit by their bullets
An' you shaking nigga
They are describing how their enemies may shake when they are shot
State prop cock game and we gun a hater down
They are members of the State Property gang, and they are willing to shoot their enemies
And we take a hater's pounds
They are taking their enemies' money and resources
And we sell a hater's bricks
They are selling their enemies' drugs
And we the main reason why they chicks is not around
Their enemies' girlfriends are avoiding them because they are afraid of getting caught up in the violence
Somebody tell them that they're rockin' Houston
They want to emphasize that they are from Houston
Swishahouse got that knockin' Houston we come and lock shit down
Swishahouse is the music label they are part of, and they're saying they are going to dominate the Houston music scene
[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, expressing a call to action for their supporters
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WALL, MARQUINARIUS HOLMES, LESLIE PRIDGEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind