Paul Wall Reflects on Discovering His Ethnicity Later in Life
Paul Wall, the Houston rap legend, recently opened up about a surprising aspect of his upbringing that has left fans intrigued. Known for his contributions to the mixtape scene alongside Chamillionaire in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Wall has remained a prominent figure in the music industry since he broke out commercially in the mid-2000s. However, during a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, he recounted his unique experiences growing up in a culturally rich environment in Texas, revealing that he didn’t fully understand his racial identity until he was in middle school.
“I didn’t know I was white ‘til white people told me I was white,” Wall admitted during the interview. He explained that his diverse upbringing, surrounded by friends from various backgrounds, contributed to his initial confusion. “All my friends were Black, Mexican, or Asian. I lived in a very diverse neighborhood,” he said, adding that while there were some white families, the predominant cultures in his area were Mexican, Black, Vietnamese, and Indian.
Paul Wall’s Unique Perspective on Identity
The rapper also shared insights about his close friendship with Chamillionaire, whose heritage includes a Nigerian father. Wall’s mother took a DNA test that revealed she was 3% African American, prompting him to joke about the implications of that finding. “I know she can’t say the N-word; that ain’t enough for her to say the N-word,” he laughed.
Discussing the label of a “white rapper,” Wall expressed that he never tried to imitate the styles of other white artists in the genre. Instead, he found inspiration in the sounds of Black musicians like Big Pokey, Big Moe, and Scarface. “I never thought of it like this is something I shouldn’t be doing,” he remarked. “Even though white rappers were out, I wasn’t following them. No disrespect intended; I just didn’t follow that lane. I followed this one.” His enduring legacy in the hip-hop scene affirms that his choice was indeed the right one.
As Paul Wall continues to navigate his career, his reflections on identity and authenticity resonate deeply within the hip-hop community, highlighting the complexities of race and culture in music.
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