Houston rapper Paul Wall joins Megan Thee Stallion on stage in Austin

Paul Wall is a Houston icon.

“The People’s Champ,” as he’s known, joined Megan Thee Stallion onstage Thursday in Austin during her Hot Girl summer tour. And it gets people talking. Every now and then he does something that makes him a hot topic.

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In Houston, however, we already know that. Paul Wall is a city staple and his toasty smile lights up a room. For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick refresher course.

Wall burst onto the national scene two decades ago as part of the Houston rap explosion that included Slim Thug, Chamillionaire and Mike Jones. He was featured on the rap classic “Still Tippin'” and his own “Sittin Sidewayz” followed in 2005. The same year, he joined Nelly on “Grillz”, a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 that also won a Grammy. nomination. His major label debut album, “The People’s Champ,” also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Paul Wall and Megan performed “Still Tippin'” and “Grillz” in Austin. Why not Houston, you ask? Well, we had our own surprises. Friday night’s show featured Lil Keke, Slim Thug and Bun B. On Saturday, Megan was joined by Monaleo and Z-Ro.

Grillz are decorative dental accessories made of gold or silver and often encrusted with precious stones. They are worn on the teeth and are both a fashion statement and a status symbol, especially in hip-hop culture. Paul Wall helped popularize grillz by wearing them on and off stage, eventually collaborating with Houston jeweler Johnny Dang. They are partners in Johnny Dang & Co., a two-level jewelry and department store in Richmond. The couple has created custom grillz for Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Lizzo and more.

Paul Michael Slayton was born on March 11, 1981 in Houston. He attended Jersey Village High School and studied communications at the University of Houston.

Baltimore rapper Miss Kam asked the question, probably knowing she was going to explode: “I want to know what was going on in the social climate that made Bubba Sparxxx and Paul Wall acceptable back in the day lol.” Few people were present for Paul Wall’s criticism. “Paul Wall is not only one of the best white rappers, he is one of the best rappers in general. He didn’t drive something covered in candy to crawl like a caterpillar for no reason,” wrote @ AuxGod_. “It’s beyond race with us, he has proven his talent, his individuality and his longevity, which makes the people’s champion good in any era.”

“I can rap with Kanye West and hold it down. I can rap with Riff Raff and hold it down. I can rap with A$AP Rocky and hold it down. I can rap with Travis Scott and hold it down. But I want rap with Slim Thug, Lil Keke and Z-Ro and hold it down,” he told the Chronicle in 2016.

Bay City rapper That Mexican OT enlisted Paul Wall for the viral hit “Johnny Dang,” an ode to the king of Houston grillz. Believe it or not, it was also a success in New Zealand.

“I always felt like there was no place like Texas. I love Houston,” he said. I never wanted to succeed and move to New York, or succeed and move to Atlanta, Miami or Los Angeles. For me, driving a slab has always been a thousand times better than driving a Rolls Royce.”