Paul Wall is an American rapper, DJ, and Houston hip-hop figure best known for his Southern style, love of custom grills, and mid‑2000s hits like “Sittin’ Sidewayz” and “Grillz.”

Who is Paul Wall?

  • Full name: Paul Michael Slayton, born March 11, 1981, in Houston, Texas.
  • Profession: Rapper, DJ, occasional actor, and entrepreneur tied closely to the Houston chopped‑and‑screwed and Swishahouse scene.
  • Reputation: Seen as a Southern rap icon who helped bring Houston’s sound into the mainstream in the 2000s.

How did he get famous?

  • He started out in Houston’s mixtape circuit with fellow rapper Chamillionaire, releasing indie projects like Get Ya Mind Correct (2002).
  • He signed with Swishahouse and then Atlantic Records, dropping his major‑label debut The Peoples Champ in 2005, which hit number one on the Billboard 200 and went platinum.
  • His biggest mainstream look was on Nelly’s single “Grillz,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Music, style, and “grills”

  • Signature sound: a thick Southern drawl packed with Houston slang, car culture, and hustler themes.
  • Notable songs and moments include “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” “Girl,” “Break ’Em Off,” and “I’m Throwed.”
  • He’s famous for his custom diamond “grillz” business, making high‑end mouth jewelry for fans, athletes, and artists, which became part of his brand and Southern rap culture.

Selected discography (high level)

  • The Peoples Champ (2005) – breakthrough album, Billboard 200 #1.
  • Get Money, Stay True (2007) – continued his chart success in rap and R&B/Hip‑Hop rankings.
  • Numerous later projects, mixtapes, and collaborations keep him active in the scene into the 2020s.

Community work and public image

  • Nicknamed “The People’s Champ” not just for his music but for his community involvement in Texas.
  • He and his wife Crystal have organized drives for school supplies, toys, and Hurricane Harvey relief, often using her fitness studio as a community hub.
  • Media still tap him as an H‑Town veteran voice for takes on new artists, Texas rap culture, and even lighthearted topics like other rappers’ beards and grillz.

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FactDetails
Stage namePaul Wall
Birth namePaul Michael Slayton
Birth year1981
FromHouston, Texas, USA
Main rolesRapper, DJ, entrepreneur, community figure
Breakout albumThe Peoples Champ (2005), Billboard 200 #1
Biggest mainstream single“Grillz” with Nelly (Hot 100 #1, Grammy‑nominated)
Key collaboratorChamillionaire (early mixtapes and albums)
Known forHouston rap sound, car culture themes, custom grillz business
Community workBack‑to‑school drives, toy drives, Hurricane Harvey relief in Texas

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.