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.)
They Don't know feat. Mike Jones
Paul Wall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know'bout Michael Watts
You don't know'bout Michael Watts
You don't know'bout Michael Watts
What you know 'bout the Swishahouse man
What you know 'bout the Swishahouse man
We listen to music screwed and chopped
They don't know what that scar'bout
They don't know what that bar'bout
They don't know what that candy car 'bout or smokin' that joint about
Texas is the home of the playas and pimps
Showin' naked ass in the great state of Tex'
Third Coast Born I mean we're Texas raised
(Texas muthafucka that's where I stay)
All ready!
What you know about swangaz and vogues
What you know 'bout purple drank
What you know 'bout poppin' trunk, neon lights, candy paint
What you know about white shirts, starched down jeans with a razor crease
Platinum and gold on top our teeth, big ol' chains with a iced out piece
You don't know 'bout Michael Watts
You don't know about DJ Screw
What you know about "MAN! Hold UP", I done came down and what it do?
They don't know about P.A.T
What you know 'bout free pimp see
What you know 'bout the Swishahouse man
What you know 'bout the S-U-C
We keep it playa, ain't no fake
When we holdin' plex whenever haters hate
We listen to music screwed and chopped
Down here in this Lone Star state
Outta towners be comin' around
Runnin' they mouth and talkin' down
But you don't know nuthin' bout my town
Either hold it down or move around
The song "They Don't Know" by Paul Wall featuring Mike Jones is a tribute to the Hip Hop scene in Texas. The lyrics are about how the rest of the country does not understand the music culture that exists in Texas. The chorus repeats the line, "You don't know 'bout Michael Watts," which refers to a popular DJ in Texas who is known for chopping and screwing music. The song is a commentary on how outsiders do not understand the music scene in Texas and how they should not make assumptions about it based on their limited knowledge.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know'bout Michael Watts
You are not aware of Michael Watts
What you know 'bout the Swishahouse man
What do you know about the Swishahouse man?
We listen to music screwed and chopped
Down here in this Lone Star state
We listen to music with a slowed-down tempo and chopped lyrics in the state of Texas
They don't know what that scar'bout
They don't know what that bar'bout
They don't know what that candy car 'bout or smokin' that joint about
Texas is the home of the playas and pimps
Showin' naked ass in the great state of Tex'
Third Coast Born I mean we're Texas raised
(Texas muthafucka that's where I stay)
People are ignorant of why we show off our cars, drink purple syrup, and smoke marijuana in Texas- the home of hip-hop culture and suggestive behavior. We are proud Texans, born and raised on the Third Coast.
What you know about swangaz and vogues
What you know 'bout purple drank
What you know 'bout poppin' trunk, neon lights, candy paint
What you know about white shirts, starched down jeans with a razor crease
Platinum and gold on top our teeth, big ol' chains with a iced out piece
What do you know about driving a car with large wheels and tires, drinking a mixture of cough syrup and soda, showcasing your car's trunk with flashy lights and colorful paint, dressing in crisp white button-up shirts and jeans with a sharp crease, or decorating your teeth with gold and platinum, thick chains and a diamond-studded pendant?
What you know about "MAN! Hold UP", I done came down and what it do?
They don't know about P.A.T
What you know 'bout free pimp see
What do you know about the slang phrases 'Man, hold up!', or 'What it do?'? People are unaware of P.A.T, and what do you know about Free Pimp C?
We keep it playa, ain't no fake
When we holdin' plex whenever haters hate
We listen to music screwed and chopped
Down here in this Lone Star state
We keep it authentic, not pretending to be something we're not. When people insult us, we respond with aggression. We listen to slowed dance music with modified lyrics in Texas.
Outta towners be comin' around
Runnin' they mouth and talkin' down
But you don't know nuthin' bout my town
Either hold it down or move around
People from other areas visit and talk negatively about our town. But, they don't know anything about it. Either respect our community, or leave.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD BERRY, BERNARD JAMES FREEMAN, BETTYE JEAN BARNES CRUTCHER, CHAD L. BUTLER, CALVIN EARL AVENT, MICHAEL A. JONES, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON, JOHN OKURIBIDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@atlanticrecords
Love 2000s Hip Hop? Check out the 2000s Hip Hop Hits Mix 🔥💿 http://bit.ly/2000sThrowbacks
@hgrepair419
Appreciate this shit g
@rodolfodiaz6732
Had to put this one on when Astros won the World Series against the Phillies
@mymusic308
@LeonardJimenez-ys5fl
this song brings back memories from back in the days
@pandamoniumpodcast6044
Man this beat is a classic!!! They don’t make em like they used to kids!!
@christieisonakakristieabig3564
Yesssir
@mikep3322
Square buisness
@ericphilen3433
Real G’s know what’s up
@mizzjacksonxoxo
This beat, will forever be part of hip-hop culture. 💯💯