2005 saw the rebirth of the Houston Hip-Hop renaissance. Local heroes Mike Jones and Chamillionaire rose to platinum prominence while familiar faces such as U.G.K. and Lil’ Flip rode the wave as well to make that Lone Star impression across the entire game. One rapper in particular, with his trademark custom mouthpieces and penchant for endless similes in his lyrics were among those most successful. Calling himself The Peoples Champ, Paul Wall indeed represented the masses with as he hit the million mark with his sales and collaborated with several big names outside of his regional sector.

Fast forward to 2009 and things have cooled down a bit for the H-Town All-Stars. But as Paul Wall explains “there’s no need for a comeback,” for he’s in one of the most comfortable positions of his life. Read along as the Iceman details his latest endeavors which include his latest LP entitled Fast Life and his continuing success in the jewelry biz. The man uses “grindin’” as a regular part of his vocabulary. Days off are for Ferris Bueller, not Paul Wall.

‘TSS, What It Do?’

TSS: So how’s Paul Wall these days?

Paul Wall: Well you know, just grindin’. Just came off the road and getting back in the studio preparing these mixtapes as my new album’s getting ready to drop on March 24th. It’s called Fast Life.

TSS: Your last album [Get Money, Stay True] dropped in ’07, but what were you up to in 2008?

Paul Wall: Really just grindin’. I had did a tour with my boy Tech N9ne and I did a tour by myself; just on the road, hittin’ the road, getting thangs poppin’. I started a clothing line as well called Expensive Taste and the website is I Got Expensive Taste and we kicked that off last year too.

TSS: Is that in conjunction with Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob?

Paul Wall: Yeah, fa’sho.

TSS: Even with all that, do you feel the urge that you need to make a comeback with Fast Life. Do you think you were too low key last year?

Paul Wall: Oh, naw. I feel like I’ve been on the scene because I’ve been in the face of people doing these tours from city to city so I’ve been puttin’ it down. All last year, nonstop grindin’ so hard in the streets so we ready to come hard with this one.

TSS: So what’s your angle this time around? What do you feel you’re bringing to the people?

Paul Wall: Well the Fast Life, the whole theme of the album is just the life we live of a grinder; a go-getter. When you grind 25/8 — 25 hours a day, 8 days a week, that’s how hard you grind and you ain’t stopping. From 9:01 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., that’s how you grind. And that’s just how it is. That’s what the album’s about: grindin’, gettin’ it and everything that goes along with it.

A lot of the songs have a lot of depth and meaning and I know the fans are gonna love it and I know I’m gonna get some new fans too so I’m excited about dropping it.

TSS: And I noticed there’s a boost in introspection on the record — most notably on “Mama Raised Me.” Growing up in a single parent home, you say your mother dealt with alcoholism?

Paul Wall: Yeah, there was a lot of problems going on. In America, it’s normal to come from a dysfunctional family these days and I just think a lot of people can relate to the things I went through. So I just tell my story as is.

TSS: When you’re making music, do you feel torn in between making music that appeals to a wider audience opposed to the people who were supporting you in Houston from day one?

Paul Wall: Well, I think the Texas fanbase are gonna be the main ones to support. I wouldn’t even be at this point without them and I love them so much for it. I represent it so hard because they represent for me so hard so they’re gonna love it when they hear it.

TSS: So you didn’t get any backlash from that last single with Jermaine Dupri?

Paul Wall: Oh naw, people was loving that. We got so much love from that.

TSS: So tell me about the Houston scene on the national scale. 2005 everybody was collaborating and working together, now it’s not like that. What’s going on?

Paul Wall: I don’t really know man. It seems like everybody’s doing their own thing and grindin’ and gettin’ it on. I know I got a song with Lil’ Keke and Z-Ro on my album. Trae’s on there too. So I’m still getting my collab on because these are people I’m listening to that I’m actually fans of as well. Bun B and Slim Thug as well. I love working with all these guys; it’s fun getting in there working with. But I don’t know why anyone else wouldn’t be doing the same. It’s weird.

TSS: What motivates the content of your music? Nobody really ever just dismisses Paul Wall as a “White rapper,” somebody who’s just getting love because of who they are. Is that just natural for you?

Paul Wall: Thank you man. Maybe it is. I’m out to make good music, be me, & have fun. Plain and simple.

TSS: And how’s the grill business in this recession?

Paul Wall: Man, it’s off the chain!

TSS: Really?

Paul Wall: Yeah, me and my boy Johnny Dame just opened up a new store in The Galleria [Houston Mall] so we getting this money for real. We’re getting a lot of orders from overseas from people checking out the website (Grills By Paul Wall). We also have our own line of watches and do custom jewelry all the time. If you come right in the store, we can make whatever you want.

TSS: And I hear you have autobiography in the works too…

Paul Wall: (Laughs) Yeah, I’ve been working on something for a minute but I don’t know when it’s gonna come out!

TSS: Is it a straight up biopic? What could you have to say that you couldn’t cover in your music?

Paul Wall: Well, I kinda make the music that I would want to listen to. You know, a lot of that stuff “I lived my life like this…such and such…” I don’t want to put in music sometime. Because I had a helluva life and it’s a lot of stuff I don’t really talk to people about…but I feel it would be interesting for people to read it.

TSS: So what’s the first single from Fast Life?

Paul Wall: I hooked up with Webbie and Mouse for this banger “Bizzy Body.” That’s the one where pushing and I’m liking the response.

TSS: Alright as a master of metaphors, let me put you on the spot so you can give me some for a couple of random scenarios. You ready?

Paul Wall: Fa’sho!

TSS: Say Lil’ Keke passed you a blunt that made you see dead people.

Paul Wall: Well it hasn’t happened yet (Laughs). But I’d say the weed gave me the sixth sense (Laughs). That’s funny you said that cuz he be smokin’ hella weed. I can’t keep up.

TSS: (Laughs) Aiight. One more. Say you hooked with a pretty young thang…and she’s less than fresh downstairs…

Paul Wall: (Laughs) Oh man…nah…man…(Laughs) I dunno, shitttt. You got me one that one. (Laughs)

TSS: (Laughs) That’s what up. Any parting words from The Peoples Champ?

Paul Wall: May 12th, Fast Life and I like to thank everybody for their support.

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Listen to “Bizzy Body” Featuring Webbie & Mouse

Paul Wall’s fourth album Fast Life, releases on Asylum/Swishahouse on May 12th, 2009 and features guest appearances from Akon, Gorilla Zoe, Lil’ Keke, Too $hort, Yung Joc and many more. Here’s the first single “Bizzy Body” featuring Webbie and Mouse and is also produced by Mouse.

For more information on Paul Wall, visit his official site www.asylumrecords.com/paulwall and Myspace page.