Paul Wall

The peoples champ

One of the most successful rappers to hail from Houston, Texas, Paul Wall made his debut with the 2005 album, The People’s Champ. The album quickly reached platinum status and launched the rapper as a definite force to be reckoned with. He went on to earn a Grammy nomination for his collaboration with Nelly, Grillz, and later released 2007’s Get Money Stay True, which debuted as the number 1 rap album in Billboard Magazine.

Last month, the much-loved rapper, born Paul Slayton released his third album, The Fast Life, which centres on the concept of being a go-getter. It’s a theme the rapper/producer can certainly identify with, juggling his music career with a jewellery empire and clothing line, whilst also being a dedicated husband and father – and finding time to do interviews...

How do you describe The Fast Life and how does it compare to your previous works?
We focused on the theme of grinding. It’s motivation music to motivate people to go grind and quit making up excuses. There are a few songs that are more in depth than previous albums with songs like, I Need Mo, produced by Travis Barker. And also I made a song that’s dedicated to my mother called Daddy Wasn’t Home.

Did you have any particular aims with this album or did you just create what came naturally to you?
I just wanted to make some good quality music that would please my fans, but at the same time try some new song topics so that I can grow and expand. It seems to have worked out great. I'm very pleased with the musical results

What’s your proudest achievement to date?
Being nominated for a Grammy in 2006 with Nelly for Grillz was huge for me. That's probably what I'm most proud of.

What’s the best/worst thing about fame?
The worst thing is you don't have any privacy. But as my friend Lil Keke says, I made this bed so therefore I gotta sleep in it. The best thing is probably people showing love. It’s amazing how you can bring so much joy to somebody's life just by giving them a hug or taking a picture.

Did you suffer the ‘white guys can’t rap’ prejudice in your earlier years?
I don't think so. It’s a tough business to break through. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. So generally you are gonna have minor setbacks here and there. But I don't feel I've seen any race-related prejudices.

In the E! documentary about rapper’s wives, your wife speaks about your family tour bus! Isn’t if difficult having your family around you when you need to be mentally ‘in the zone’ on tour?
Not for me it’s not. I love being a musician. It’s just natural. And I'm the People’s Cham, so I don't hide anything from my fans. What you see is what you get. I'm proud of who I am. It makes it easy knowing that my family is waiting for me when I come off stage.

Is it ever difficult juggling family life with your career?
Sometimes it is, because I grew up in a broken home and I want more than anything to be here in my children's life. But they support me 100%. So I have to do what I have to do sometimes.

Your wife seems like she’d willingly put a groupie in their place if they got too close to you! Has she ever?
Several times. Not just groupies, and not just for me. She is a rider. She has her friends and family's backs 100%. She's bust a couple people's heads with bottles, and pulled out her pistol a few times when the occasion called for it. She's from 5th Ward Houston, Texas.... but she's not a violent person at all. She's very kind hearted and loving. She just doesn't take any bulls**t.

Is there anything in particular you’d still like to achieve career-wise?
I'd like to continue to have success for longevity. I hope to be putting out albums and on tour till I'm 70. That'd be a dream come true.

The Fast Life is out now on Swishahouse / Asylum.