illRoots got a chance to catch up with Houston's own Paul Wall a few weeks ago and have a quick Q&A. He talked about everything from favorite clothing lines, working on music with his wife, future singles and more. Shouts to The Mixtape Militia and Paralex for the help.
illRoots: Since we've been expecting 'Get Money, Stay True' to come out since the summer of 2006, how long has it taken you to complete the whole album?
Paul Wall: I've been working on it pretty much since right after we released THE PEOPLES CHAMP. Day after day just me in the studio with T Farris and Mr Lee.
iR: What do you feel are the major differences between Get Money, Stay True and The People's Champ?
PW: We've recorded about 35-40 songs for GET MONEY STAY TRUE, so we really have a lot to choose from. We picked the top 14 picks and put them on the album. We really stepped it up a lot too. I've stepped up the lyrics, and we stepped up the production as well.
iR: How does it feel to work with your wife, Crystal? Are there any complications since you both are artists on Swishahouse, and are husband and wife?
PW: Its a lot of fun because she's very creative. No there aren't any complications, we all keep an open mind when it comes to the music. And we leave the decisions to T Farris. So whatever he feels like is the best decision we roll with it.
iR: What's your favorite track off the album?
PW: I really love them all. We put so much work into the album I can listen to it from front to back, and honestly I'm not a "Paulwall fan". But lately I've really had the last song on repeat, "SLIDIN' ON THAT OIL". Its produced by Travis Barker. Its one of the songs we recorded for my group Expensive Taste.
iR: What will be the third single off of the album?
PW: I think we are gonna roll with this song I have with Trina called "THAT FIRE"
iR: Since you are also a DJ, which do you enjoy doing the most, rapping or djing?
PW: I really love to DJ the most, but its been a while since I touched the turntables.
iR: Other than Famous Stars and Straps, what other gear do you rock? Can we expect some Paul Wall clothing?
PW: I love the Famous Stars and Straps. I'm also loving this gear called THE WILD ONES, and ROGUE STATUS. We have our own line inspired by our group called EXPENSIVE TASTE, www.expensivetastemerch.com
iR: A little while ago, the Screwed & Chopped version (Swishahouse Remix) of Get Money, Stay True was released, does Michael Watts generally work alone when chopping albums or are you there giving input and what not?
PW: No he does his thing on his own. Besides he's the one that taught me so I'm not sure there's anything I could tell him that he doesn't already know!
iR: I've seen that you have tons of tour dates lined up. Which place is your favorite to perform?
PW: They always show me a lot of love in New York and LA. But my favoate place to preform outside of Texas is Detroit.
'Get Money, Stay True' is in stores now.
