Paul Wall

Is there a more fascinating hip-hop star than Paul Wall today? How does a white dude from Houston (not historically the mecca of hip-hop) turn into a chart-topping artist? It's a simple formula really, but the execution and precision are what make his schtick fascinating to me.

1. Create a distinct look - how is it supposed to get more distinct than a white guy with sparkly teeth?

2. Create a distinct sound - His lyrics are incredibly simple. Which is why his singles catch on so easily, everyone can sing them. When I hear a 14 year-old female hick (and that's putting it mildly) at a basketball game singing "lemme see ya grill, yeah yo grill," then it's easy to sing. But, Paul Wall also works in everyday culture into his lyrics. He raps about being rich & fly, having a nice car, nice teeth, and women, like most rappers. But, he also works in lyrics about sports, other songs, cities, and people. Nelly is well-known for combining a great deal of sports references with catchy beats, and Paul Wall has taken this formula to the next level.

3. Create a personna - when you tell someone, "hey, he looks like Paul Wall," they know exactly what you mean. There is an image associated with him that is easy to remember.

4. Create good music - ok, I wouldn't label most of Paul Wall's songs as deep, or even good at times. But, catchy, definitely. To the point of being over-played by stations that play "everything" (aka Top 40) and hip-hop. Also, most of his rhymes are analogies. Similes and metaphors galore. Example - "Now to broads I'm a sharp-shooter like Steve Kerr..." is a line in his new single, I'm Throwed. Somehow, making a reference to Steve Kerr, a retired basketball player, is fascinating to me. At the least, his music is creative.

With this formula, Paul Wall has worked his way into the mainstream music culture and helped put Houston on the hip-hop map, even working in some reference to Texas along the way. I do wonder if he is resented or portrayed as a wanna-be by our culture. I'm not sure, feedback is welcome. But, I do know that he is very, very different from Eminem. Eminem, first of all, can flow with the best of 'em. I'm sure Paul Wall is talented, but Eminem seems to have a little more substance than show. Also, Eminem predominately used shock value and Dr. Dre to enter into our thoughts; Paul Wall has more or less elbowed his way in with his teeth, if that's possible. Finally, Eminem really has a look that a lot of girls seem to go for. I knew numerous girls in high school who had him in their Hot Five. Paul Wall doesn't seem to have that going from him, at least from this heterosexual male perspective.

Though different, both white rappers have seemed to make a place for themselves in a mostly black industry. Personally, I could care less what color an artist is; I just want some good music. White rappers or black country singers ("clickity clack, I'm big and black" - Cowboy Troy) ...I just like good music. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the catchiness of Paul Wall and continue to marvel at his climb into prominence within the hip-hop and mainstream music fronts.


"It's the Ice Man baby and you know what it do, I'm throwed."