Career

At a young age, Paul Wall along with fellow rap music artist and childhood friend Chamillionaire, had decided to make music their careers. One day while promoting themselves at a Texas event, he and Chamillionaire ran into Michael "5000" Watts, a popular mixtape DJ from the Northside. After proposing to do promotions for Watts' company, the Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to Watts' studio and convinced Watts to allow them freestyle on an intro to Watts' radio show on Houston’s 97.9 The Box. Watts, who was convinced to rap on the record, enjoyed the freestyle so much that he put the verses on one of his mixtapes. The freestyle became so popular in the streets that Chamillionaire and Paul Wall became regular staples on Houston's mixtape circuit, appeared on several of Watts' mixtapes, and became permanent members of Swishahouse.

After fellow member Slim Thug left the label, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall followed and started their own group known as The Color Changin' Click. Each successive mixtape released by The Color Changin' Click led to more business opportunities; the most notable of which being a contract to do a full album for Paid in Full Records. A one album contract was then negotiated between the Color Changin' Click and Paid in Full's label head, DJ Madd Hatta from 97.9 The Box, and the CCC's first album, Get Ya Mind Correct, would go on to sell over 100,000 copies.

The sale of all these albums without the backing of a major deal caught the attention of several major labels wanting to sign Chamillionaire and Paul. 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 Records. 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 SOUTHLEA (Southside Houston) 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?. 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.

The People's Champ

In 2005. Paul Wall released his debut release, The People's Champ. His first single. "Sittin' Sidewayz" featured Big Pokey of the Screwed Up Click. His second single, "They Don't Know". features Bun B. but the video version also features Mike Jones. The third single is "Girl". This single received radio airplay, peaking #35 on the Billboard top 100. Also "Drive Slow" appears on Kanye West's album Late Registration. The album is certified platinum, selling at 1.2 million albums. Guest appearances on the album include T.I., Bun B, Three 6 Mafia, Kanye West, GLC, Freeway, Archie Lee, Cootabang, Lil Wayne, Big Pokey, BG & Grit Boyz.

Get Money, Stay True

In 2007, Paul Wall released his second album. Get Money, Stay True. His first single, "Break 'Em Off". features Lil Keke, who is recently signed to Swishahouse. His second single is "I'm Throwed", featuring Jermaine Dupri. who also produced the single. Guest appearances include Lil Keke, Yung Redd, E-Class, Juelz Santana, Jermaine Dupri, Snoop Dogg, Trina, Freeway, Crys Wall, & Expensive Taste. The album has sold 350,000 copies as of October 4, 2007.

Jewelry

Paul Wall is the part owner and proprietor of TV Jewelry with Johnny Dang 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 Wall along with Gipp & Ali artists, where at one point Paul raps "Call me George Foreman 'cause I'm sellin' everybody grillz."

Personal life

Wall married his long time girlfriend Crystal in October 2005. Wall and Crystal had their first child, William Patrick Slayton on Tuesday April 18, 2006.

Guest appearances

In 2007, Paul Wall appeared alongside other celebrities and regular people in the music video for Rockstar by Nickelback.

Paul Wall is also featured on one episode of TAI...TV (episode 14: Aust In Translation)

He also appears on Bermuda based reggae artist Collie Budz' debut album on the tracks "What a feeling" and the bonus track "Come Around (remix)"

Official Screwed and Chopped Projects

Discography

Albums

• 2004: Chick Magnet (independent label)
• 2005: The Peoples Champ
• 2007: Get Money, Stay True
• 2008: The Dirty South (Unconfirmed)

Solo Singles

• 2005: "Sittin' Sidewayz" (featuring Big Pokey)
• 2005: "They Don't Know" (featuring Mike Jones & Bun B)
• 2006: "Girl"
• 2007: "Break 'Em Off" (featuring Lil Keke)
• 2007: "I'm Throwed" (featuring Jermaine Dupri)
• 2007: "Johnny Dang's Watch Froze" (featuring Fat Joe, Lil Keke, & Slim Thug)

Featured Singles

• 2005: "Still Tippin'" (Mike Jones featuring Slim Thug & Paul Wall)
• 2005: "What You Been Drankin' On?" (Jim Jones featuring P. Diddy, Paul Wall, & Jha Jha)
• 2005: "I Got Dat Drank" (Frayser Boy featuring Mike Jones & Paul Wall)
• 2005: "Draped Up [Remix]" (Bun B featuring Lil Keke, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Aztek, Lil Flip, & Z-Ro)
• 2005: "Grillz" (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp)
• 2005: "Still on It" (Ashanti featuring Paul Wall & Method Man)
• 2005: "I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper) [Remix]" (T-Pain featuring Twista, Pimp C, Paul Wall, R. Kelly, MJG, & Too Short)
• 2006: "Holla at Me" (DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, & Pitbull)
• 2006: "Drive Slow [Remix]" (Kanye West featuring Paul Wall, GLC, & T.I.)
• 2006: "Way I Be Leanin'" (Juvenile featuring Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Skip, & Wacko)
• 2006: "About Us" (Brooke Hogan featuring Paul Wall)
• 2006: "Chunk up tha Deuce" (Lil Keke featuring Paul Wall & UGK)
• 2007: Keep It Movin (Remix) (Lil Keke featuring Slim Thug & Paul Wall)

Awards/Nominations

• 2006: Ozone Awards -WON- Taste Maker (style and trendsetter).
• 2007: Grammy Award -Nominated- Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group for "Grillz" (with Nelly, Ali & Gipp)