Paul Wall

Paul Michael Slayton (born March 11, 1981), better known by his stage name Paul Wall, is an American rapper and DJ.

He has spent much of his career affiliated with Swishahouse, and has released several albums under the label and collaborated with numerous other rappers signed to the label.

That mixtape was titled Choppin Em Up Part 2, which was released in mid-1999.

The freestyle became so popular locally 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 suit and the two started their own group known as The Color Changin' Click (named after Chamillionaire's chameleon persona).

Each successive mixtape released by The Color Changin' Click led to more business opportunities; the most notable of which was a contract to do a full album for Paid in Full Records.

A one-album contract was 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 200,000 copies.

Wall is also an accomplished and proficient mixtape and party DJ, known for producing mixtapes in the now well-known chopped and screwed style, which was invented by DJ Screw.

He began his career performing alongside fellow Houstonian Chamillionaire, with whom he released several albums, including 2002's independently released Get Ya Mind Correct.

In 2004, Wall returned to Swishahouse and appeared on Mike Jones' first commercially distributed single, "Still Tippin'".

By 2005, he was signed to Atlantic Records and became successful with his major label debut The Peoples Champ, which was followed up by Get Money, Stay True followed in 2007.

He has been nominated for one Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance as a Duo or Group for the song "Grillz", his collaboration with rapper Nelly.

Wall attended Jersey Village High School and studied mass communications at the University of Houston for three years.

Wall's first music exposure came as a street team member on the Northwest side of Houston, promoting southern labels like Def Jam Records, Cash Money and No Limit Records.

After proposing to do promotions for Michael "5000" Watts' company Swishahouse, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall came to 97.9 the Box (KBXX), Watts' radio station.

Paul and Chamillionaire convinced Watts to let them rap on his radio show and put the verses on one of his mixtapes.

In 2005, Paul Wall released his first album, The Peoples Champ, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

The first single was "Sittin' Sidewayz" featuring Big Pokey, which peaked at no. 34 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and no. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The second single, "They Don't Know", featured Bun B of UGK, and the video version also featured Mike Jones.

The third single, "Girl", became the most successful single off The Peoples Champ, peaking at no. 35 on the Hot 100.

In November 2005, Paul Wall was featured on Nelly's Grillz, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2007, Wall released his second album Get Money, Stay True, which debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

The album spawned the singles "Break 'Em Off" featuring Lil Keke, and "I'm Throwed" featuring and produced by Jermaine Dupri.

"Break 'Em Off" peaked at no. 72 on the Hot 100 and no. 58 on the R&B charts, and "I'm Throwed" peaked at no. 87 on the Hot 100 and no. 47 on R&B.

Paul Wall was a member of the rap group Expensive Taste, with his friends Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob (Transplants).

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

He appeared on reggae artist Collie Buddz's self-titled debut album.

In the spring of 2008, Paul Wall joined Strange Music recording artist Tech N9ne on a nationwide tour, which featured rapper Ill Bill.

Paul Wall appears as fictional rapper Grillionaire in the movie I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, released on September 25, 2009.

He, along with screenwriters Nils Parker and Tucker Max, co-wrote tracks for the movie.

In 2010, Paul Wall featured on the album Przyjaźń, Duma, Godność, (English: Friendship, Pride, Dignity) by Polish rap artist Kaczor.

In October 2011, Paul Wall collaborated with Silicon Valley-based social and mobile game company Jump Shot Media to create the world's first mobile battle rap game, Battle Rap Stars.

Paul is featured as the "main event" and is the rapper to beat in order to win the game.

On March 7, 2012, Paul Wall released a mixtape entitled No Sleep Til Houston.

Paul Wall released a collaboration mixtape with Slim Thug for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.

On December 10, 2013, Paul Wall released his seventh studio album, an 11-track offering, titled CheckSeason, which featured contributions from Stunna Bam, Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug, Lil Keke, Kid Ink and Young Dolph.

The record was released independently via his Paul Wall Music imprint.

Paul Wall followed up Check Season on December 2, 2014, with the release of his eighth studio album, titled The Po-Up Poet which was produced by June "The Jenius" James.

According to a Vibe magazine article in November 2014, "The almost circus-like production reestablishes the idea that as long as Wall's been in the game, he's been a beloved Texas rap legend".

On September 25, 2015, Paul Wall followed up The Po-Up Poet with his ninth studio album, titled SlabGod which contains the single "Swangin' In The Rain".