Paul Wall - The Ultimate Paul Wall Guide

Born in Houston, Texas in 1980, Paul Wall is a rapper who has found recent success with the release of his 2005 CD, "The People's Champ." Starting as a promoter and DJ in the Houston area, Paul rapidly got into the music scene as an artist by collaborating with fellow rapper Chamillionaire. Shortly thereafter, the two had a falling out, which led Wall to pursue a solo career.

One of Paul Wall's central inspirations is the "screwed and chopped" DJ technique. Created by DJ Screw, it is a process through which DJs slow down records, chopping and repeating certain sections or lyrics to create a whole new musical experience. Early in his career, Paul Wall established himself as a well known local DJ, from which he was able to release four independently produced albums.

His first mainstream album, The People's Champ, includes a number of personal songs. In fact, many of the lyrics recount his difficult upbringing, including his struggle with being abandoned by his drug-using father and raised by a single mother. Like a number of other rappers, Paul Wall had to claw his way out of a life of relative poverty, which seems to have driven him throughout his short career.

Paul Wall is a rarity in the rap industry as one of the few white, Southern rappers to have found broader success in the industry. In addition to being a DJ and a rapper, he also owns a jewelry company that specializes in what are known as "fronts" and "grills". Basically, these are custom-made cosmetic dental pieces that are usually made with diamonds or other precious stones that are snapped over a person's teeth. Numerous rappers have adopted the style, many of which turn to Paul Wall for his unique creations.