Paul Wall, ‘Slab God’

The Egalitarian’s Kevin Gewargis interviews Artist Paul Wall outside his album release event Sept 25 for his new album ‘Slab God’.

Kevin Gewargis, Writer

Born Paul Michael Slayton, Paul Wall has become an embodiment of the Houston Texas music culture. His “work like an ant” attitude and beautiful humbleness have brought him fortunes of respect and wealth. However, even with a $12.5 million net worth as of 2015, he remains the man he was when he first started all those years ago.

It has been exactly ten years since Wall released his debut album “The Peoples Champ”. From then on, he has captivated and been embraced by all that love the Texas sound of hip hop. The words “Texas rap legend” are constantly used when referring to him, in doing so, it is only fitting that he is granted a new title of “Slab god”.

The atmosphere of the release party at club Pure on Sept 25 was one of absolute adoration for wall and his newest work of music. The love of the crowd as the legend walked through the door was electrifying. One could feel the love and respect that everyone there had for him. With the place getting more and more packed, it became difficult even just to stand. The movement of bodies dictated where you could go, you either kept your ground or you got lost in the rest of the floating crowd.

Before Wall even showed, we decided to head outside to get some air, being as lucky as we are, as we crossed the street from “The Moonshiners” and began walking along a jam packed parking lot.

As we walk about half a block down the lot we notice a beautifully dripping, candy watermelon red paint job on a brand spanking new 2015 Cadillac. A fifth wheel, of course, and Texan Wire Wheel 84 spoke rims lusciously wrapped in a pair of white and mustard yellow Vogue Tyres.

Truly Wall has earned the title “Slab God.” For those less versed, Slab means “Slow Loud and Bangin”, it refers to cars that are fully customized. I knew this one was his as soon as I saw it, so we began looking around and sure enough not even 25 feet away there he was. Paul Wall, “The Peoples Champ”, the “Slab God.”

He noticed me right away and before I can even react, he had already taken indicative and began walking toward me. While I’m in shock that this is happening, he reaches out his hand to meet mine and said, “Hey man, what’s going on?”

It’s amazing how someone can keep such a down to earth casual attitude while having all that he has accomplished.

Wall said, “My biggest music influence has gotta be Lil’ KeKe, just everything about him; how he represents the Houston, Texas culture, you numsayin’? His sound; he’s my favorite lyricist. He’s definitely my biggest musical influence.”

To young people 15-25, he says, “Number one, you see we made it. You can make it too, and you don’t have to do it by hating on anybody or by shoveling dirt on anyone.

You can do it by being a stand-up person, being a solid person, a man of your word. Do it by spreading positivity instead of spreading hate.”

Wall said that being loved by a city “feels great!”

“I remember a time when — I wouldn’t say I was ignored — but the city was definitely oblivious to me and my music. They had no idea I even existed, so to be loved feels definitely feels great.”

When asked, “When did you go from trying to make it to I made it?” Wall responded, “Man I’m still trying to make it. You know still putting music out doing what we love to do. That hunger and desire never really go away. This is my dream job, I don’t plan on ever retiring. As long as pro tools work and my voice work, you know?”

Laughing, Wall added that “Long as Cadillac make cars we gone keep doing this.”