Paul Wall recently sat down for an exclusive interview with SOHH. The People’s Champ discussed his latest projects, the thriving rap scene in Houston, viral debates on social media, and more.
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In recent years, Paul Wall has been focused on releasing quality music independently, with his latest album, The Great Wall, serving as a testament to his positive vibes and true representation.
“I wanted to put some good positive vibes out there with everything from the production to the lyrics.” Wall also expressed that he wanted the album to represent him. “I want it to be the best representation of me,” Wall said.
Alongside his music, the “Sitting Sideways” rapper also expressed admiration for fellow Houston rappers That Mexican OT and their collaborations, including the popular track “Covered In Ice.”
“Man, That Mexican OT been grinding for a long time putting in work on a regional scale or an independent scale. He’s got so much talent.”
Paul Wall also disclosed that he and That Mexican OT shared the same manager, leading to inquiries about feature collaboration costs. Both parties expressed mutual curiosity and admiration, ultimately deciding to collaborate willingly, fueled by their shared appreciation for each other’s work.
Another single that Paul Wall worked on with That Mexican OT is “Johnny Dang,” which is about the famous Houston jeweler, who has been referenced by many rappers in their lyrics for years.
To many rap fans, the two are credited with popularizing grills in hip-hop. said that he started as a customer for grillz and that he just wanted to set his friends up. Wall credited Dang for increasing his interest in grillz.
“The same way Johnny Dang gave me my start to sell grillz like that is the same way he gives other jewelers their start every single day.” he referred to Dang as the “number one grill jeweler on the planet.”
One of the biggest songs that Wall has been a part of is the 2005 hit “Grillz,” with Nelly, along with Ali & Gipp.
As a veteran of the Houston rap scene, Paul Wall shared his enthusiasm about its current state.
“I love the current state of the Houston rap scene,” Wall said excitedly. The biggest part of it that I love is the fanbase is so diverse. That allows every branch of the Houston tree to flourish,” Wall added.
The Houston native mentioned that all over Texas, the support is growing for many artists, regardless of where they are from.
Wall also shouted out fellow Houston artists such as Don Toliver, Monaleo, Sauce Walka, and others for being unique in their sound and bringing more attention to Houston.
When drawing parallels between contemporary Houston rappers and the city’s rap pioneers, Wall refrained from mentioning specific names to avoid offending. He believes that when a new rapper shares similarities with a veteran, it should be regarded as a compliment rather than a critique.
“When I hear new artists that sound like an older artist I don’t think that’s an insult, I think it’s a compliment.”
The Great Wall rapper says as a fan, the resurgence of nostalgia is beneficial for representing the city. Additionally, he highlights the importance of rap elements such as style, cadence, delivery, and production style.
Toward the end of the interview, Wall gave his thoughts on the viral debate on social media of who had the best verse on the 2004 hit “Still Tippin,” which featured fellow Houston rappers Slim Thug and Mike Jones. When asked who he thought had the best verse, he said that he went the “hardest,” but he credited Slim Thug for the nostalgic feel to his first verse.”
“My personal favorite is Slim Thug because of the nostalgia of his original verse of where the hook sample came from.” Paul Wall also gave props to Jones for having many quotables in his verse.
In a related interview, SOHH also had the opportunity to speak with 12-year-old rap prodigy DUBG3. Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, and gaining acclaim with the support of Houston rap legend Mike Jones, DUBG3 is making waves in the rap game at a young age.
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