Search - Paul Wall :: The People's Champ

The People's Champ is no longer The Rock!

Charles L. Hubbert | Milwaukee, WI | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There has been a bunch of news emanating from Houston in recent weeks. You got Destiny's Child getting ready to dismantle, then the city was one of many major destinations for the Hurricane Katrina evacuees, and most recently was the four-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox over the Houston Astros in the World Series. With all this disappointing stuff happening to the city, Houston needed a little boost to lift its spirits...at least for a little while. Enter local deejay and rapper Paul Wall to fill their hearts with joy and their ears with delight from yet another impressive album from the Dirty Dirty. Paul Wall has been on the underground rap scene for some time now, releasing albums with his partner-in-crime Chamillionaire and popping up on other rappers' albums as well. After the success of "Still Tippin" with Mike Jones, it was the perfect opportunity for Paul Wall to drop The People's Champ and benefit from the sudden popularity of Dirty South rappers.



The breakout single "Sittin' Sideways" is one of the many good tracks from the major record release from Swishahouse/Asylum/Atlantic. Bun B makes two guest appearances with Paul Wall's second single "They Don't Know" and the song "Trill," which is the same title as Bun B's first solo album (see review below). Paul Wall includes his collaboration with Kanye West called "Drive Slow" that was originally featured on Kanye's Late Registration album. Trey Songz makes his 700th cameo with the song "Ridin' Dirty" and Freeway integrates some East Coast flavor on "State To State." "Big Ballin" and "I'm A Playa" featuring Three Six Mafia is done with elements of that 'screwed' sound that accompanies a lot of albums coming from the sound that derived from the late Dj Screw. "So Many Diamonds" featuring T.I. discusses the ever-growing trend of diamond-encrusted fronts that a lot of rappers have continued to rock in their grills.



But The People's Champ isn't entirely plastered with cameos, as Paul Wall does his thing on the solo tip as well. The highly-arrogant "Smooth Operator" gives you a sense of Paul Wall's ego while "Internet Goin' Nutz" depicts him as some charismatic geek surfing online chat rooms for some computer love. "Girl" samples the Chi-Lites' "Oh Girl" for a melody that the ladies can enjoy. "Just Paul Wall" is another mellow cut that seems to showcase the sentimental side for the ladies so that they know there is more to the rapper than what you see on TV. "Sippin The Barre" possesses that signature southern sound that we all have gotten conditioned to even though the background beat reminds me of Ray J's horrible "Centerview" song from his latest album Raydiation.



It doesn't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing, and Paul Wall has been received very well by the music industry and the listening public as well. The People's Champ debuted number one on the Billboard 200 charts, and nothing is stopping Paul Wall from continuing his trek to the top. And even though he's a white rapper, it practically has no bearing on his ability to appeal to the masses or the Hip-Hop community. The People's Champ is something that Paul Wall as well as the city of Houston can be proud of."

Played out rhymes

Austin R. Tyler | Jax, FL | 09/21/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"paul walls cd to me wasnt good at all, he has nothing to rap about besides his grill and his candy paint, maybe he should have spent more money on the production of this cd instead of his mouth



cop "the sound of revenge" by chamillionaire, cham always brings the heat on the mic"

Sipping a fine purple drank

slapjac | 12/12/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, what can I say.

If you like candy paint, purple dranks, eighty foo's, and grillz then by all means buy this CD. How many times does he say candy paint, eighty foos and purple drank in this CD? I am from H-Town, and this is a disgrace! Paul Wall is an embarrasment and so is Mike "Dyk" Jones."