Paul Wall Is A Likable Champ
After memorable appearances on Mike Jones's breakout single "Still Tippin" and most recently on Kanye West's "Drive Slow," Paul Wall makes a big impression with his major label debut The People's Champ. It's a good album that will definitely help keep Houston on the hip-hop map.
The People's Champ is filled with guest appearances by a variety of mostly southern hip-hop stars. T. I., "The King Of The South," shows up on the organ-driven "So Many Diamonds" while BG and UGK's Bun B contribute verses to "Trill." Freeway makes a surprising (and gruff) appearance on "State To State" and on "They Don't Know," Wall and labelmate Mike Jones educate us on Houston, TX. "Sittin' Sidewayz," the first single from the album, features the laidback-sounding Big Pokey and a bumping electronic beat.
Some of the most interesting songs on the album are the ones where there are no guest stars to be found. "Internet Going Nutz" has Paul Wall looking for girls online, checking sites like Black Planet and Facebook. One of the best songs on the album is "Just Paul Wall" where he simply talks about his life and the struggles he's gone through from having a drug-addicted father who abandoned him to dealing with alcoholism.
With The People's Champ, Paul Wall enters the game strong and shows a lot of potential. After all, he did dethrone Kanye West from the top of the album charts with this release. Paul Wall comes off charismatic and likable on this album and while he doesn't break new ground, he doesn't mess up either. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of "The People's Champ" in the future.
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Hmm...not that you asked for my opinion and not that you really care, but I'm going to tell you anyway. First off, judging from your profile, and your splendid thoughts on Common’s very much unappreciated album Electric Circus, I would’ve never guessed that you would even consider listening to Paul Wall, variability I presume, but that’s irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteSo, these are my short yet very absolute thoughts on Paul Wall. GARBAGE! Plain and simple, his music is garbage. I don’t know him personally(nor would I want to) therefore I don't dislike him. But because he's a rapper I judge him through his lyrics, and thus far, all he’s provided me with is pure garbage. His lyrics lack substance and his style although not new, is exaggerated. I shudder at the sight of him, and it has very little to do with his physical appearance. Drive Slow, in my opinion is the worst song on Kanye’s album, it should be obvious why. I don’t mean to be so cruel, but I think it’s fair judgment, and since we’re on the subject, let me extend my hatred-Mike Jones, is equally crappy. I don’t hate all mainstream hip hop artists, but the majority of them-I really just hate present day mainstream. I’m not trying to “sway” your thoughts on Paul Wall, it’s clear you enjoy his music(how? I do not know)-I’m really just trying to help you “think outside the box,” and enlighten you(is it working?) I could go on forever about this, but I'll spare you. This cat Paul Wall is a joke. Enough said.
Peace.