Paul Wall, the legendary Houston rapper, recently revealed a surprising fact about his upbringing - he didn't know he was white until he was in middle school. In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Wall opened up about his diverse childhood experiences and how they shaped his identity.
Growing Up in a Diverse Neighborhood
Wall shared that he grew up in a very diverse neighborhood in Texas, where his friends were predominantly Black, Mexican, Asian, and other ethnicities. "All my friends were Black or Mexican or Asian," he said. "I lived in a very diverse neighborhood. There were white people there, but it was Mexican, Black, Vietnamese, Indian ... A lot of everything."
Unaware of His Own Ethnicity
Due to the melting pot of cultures he was surrounded by, Wall was unaware of his own racial identity for years. "I didn't know I was white 'til white people told me I was white," the rapper revealed. "They was like, 'You white. Why you talk and act like that? You white.' And I'm like, what do you mean?"
Embracing His Unique Perspective
Rather than trying to emulate other white rappers, Wall found inspiration in the Black artists he listened to, such as Big Pokey, Big Moe, and Mr. Scarface. "I never thought of it like this is something I shouldn't be doing," he said. "Because 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."
Embracing His Diverse Roots
Wall's mother later took a DNA test, which revealed that she was 3% African American. The rapper joked about the implications, saying, "I know she can't say the N-word, that ain't enough for her to say the N-word."
Paul Wall's story is a testament to the power of embracing one's unique perspective and not being confined by societal expectations. His success in the rap game proves that he made the right choice in following his own path, rather than trying to fit into a mold.
留言