Paul Wall
Paul Wall (born Paul Slayton on March 30, 1980) is an American rapper, DJ, and promoter from Houston, Texas. Notable as one of the few successful white Southern rappers, Slayton is affiliated with Swishahouse Records, formerly Swisha Blast Records. Slayton is a graduate of Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years. Paul Wall was originally one-half of Houston power duo The Color Changing Click, alongside long-time partner (and now estranged acquaintance) Chamillionaire, Yung Ro, and 50-50 Twin.
Early career
Slayton'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.
Paul Wall and Chamillionaire were originally affiliated with Swishahouse Records, but left for Paid in Full Records a short time later. After several mixtape and independent releases, including 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?. Who Is Mike Jones? was the first screwed & chopped music to receive major play outside of the Houston area, both on mainstream radio and video outlets such as MTV and Clear Channel affiliates.
As early as the Color Changin' Click era of his career, Slayton has been an outspoken car enthusiast, known for his collection of brightly-colored lowrider convertibles. He encorporates this hobby into his music, calling himself the "undisputed king of the parking lot" in several of his raps.
Major label career
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.
Other ventures
Paul Wall is the owner and proprietor of a jewelry store in Houston, called TV Jewelry. The store specializes in the production of iced-out grills, cosmetic dental apparati featuring silver, gold, or platinum caps with diamond inlays (usually princess-cut diamonds).
Appearances
- Paul was a guest on The Howard Stern Show on October 3, 2005.
- Paul was with Mike Jones and Slim Thug on a G-Unit Mixtape in the G-Unit remix of "Still Tippin'" featuring Young Buck, Spider Loc, and 50 Cent.
Discography
- Get Ya Mind Correct (2002)
- The Chick Magnet (2004)
- Controversy Sells (2005)
- The People's Champ (2005) #1 US [Certified: Platinum]
- Live From The Gridiron (2006)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | US Rap | |||
| 2005 | "Sittin' Sidewayz" (feat. Big Pokey) | #93 | #34 | #24 | The People's Champ |
| 2005 | "They Don't Know" (feat. Bun B) | - | #71 | - | The People's Champ |
| 2005 | "They Don't Know [Remix]" (feat. Mike Jones & Bun B) | - | #71 | - | |
| 2005 | "Grillz" (Nelly feat. Paul Wall, Ali & Big Gipp) | #1 | #3 | #1 | SweatSuit |
| 2006 | "Drive Slow" (Kanye West feat. Paul Wall & GLC) | - | - | - | Late Registration/The People's Champ |