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 Dont Know Ft. 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
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
The song "They Don't Know" by Paul Wall, Mike Jones, and Bun B, is an ode to the iconic music scene and culture of Texas, specifically Houston. The song illustrates a distinct lifestyle that is epitomized by activities such as swangaz and vogues, purple drank, and candy-painted cars. The lyrics state that people from outside Texas do not understand this lifestyle, with particular focus being placed on the Swishahouse man, Michael Watts, and other influential figures in the Houston music industry. The song also makes a point to call out the haters and outsiders who talk down on Texas and its culture.
The lyrics of "They Don't Know" are a celebration of Texas culture, specifically the music and lifestyle of Houston. The verses provide a detailed and almost poetic description of the unique activities and lifestyle that make Houston distinct. However, the chorus becomes a unifying line for the Texas community, rallying behind the notion that outsiders just don't get it. The lyrics ultimately argue that it is impossible for someone to truly understand Houston without having grown up there and experienced the culture firsthand.
Overall, the song "They Don't Know" is an insightful portrayal of Texas culture, specifically the unique music scene and lifestyle of Houston. The lyrics are a call to action for Texans to hold down their culture, while simultaneously telling outsiders to respect and acknowledge it. The lyrics also highlight the numerous colloquialisms and slang terms unique to Texas, helping to further build out the distinct culture described in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know'bout Michael Watts
You are not familiar with the work of Michael Watts.
What you know 'bout the Swishahouse man
What is your knowledge of the Swishahouse man?
We listen to music screwed and chopped
Down here in this Lone Star state
We listen to Texas-style music that has been 'screwed and chopped' (slowed down and remixed), which is popular in our home state.
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 who are not from Texas do not understand the significance of having a scar, going to a bar, driving a candy-colored car, or smoking a joint. Texas is known for its playas and pimps, and there is a lot of nudity in our great state. We are proud to be from the Third Coast and raised in Texas.
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
Do you have knowledge of swangaz and vogues, purple drank, popping the trunk, neon lights, candy paint, white shirts, starched jeans, platinum and gold teeth, big chains with shiny pieces, Michael Watts, DJ Screw, the saying 'MAN! Hold UP', P.A.T., free pimp see, the Swishahouse man, or the S-U-C? These are elements of Texas culture that are not commonly known outside of the state.
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
We are authentic and do not tolerate fake people. When haters try to cause problems, we stand up for ourselves. We enjoy listening to screwed and chopped music in Texas. However, people from out of town may come and talk negatively about our hometown, without understanding the true culture. We suggest you either act respectfully or leave.
[Chorus]
Refrain to repeat the main point of the song.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
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
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@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. 💯💯