A Celebration Of The Evolution Of Hip-Hop Grammy Event Coverage

The 13th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project pulled out all the stops with a who's who in hip hop featuring performances by Naughty By Nature, Paul Wall, MC Lyte, Everlast and others took place Thursday, February 10th at Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles, CA.

Photo links from the event:
Film Magic
PR Photos
Rex Features

Bun B Brings Out Lupe, Wale, Big Daddy Kane And More At NYC Show

With everyone in town for the VH1 Hip Hop honors (which tapes tonight at Hammerstein Ballroom NYC and airs June 7 on VH1), Bun B pulled a smart and strategic move, by promoting his album Trill O.G. by getting everyone together for an "all time greatest concert" at S.O.B.'s NYC. Lupe Fiasco, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Big Daddy Kane, Paul Wall and Wale, Pimp C is smiling!

(video courtesy of Dirty Glove Bastard , Miss Info TV and itsmistermillers)

Chamillionaire & Paul Wall: Texan Heavyweights Release Back To Back Albums In June

Chamillionaire Venom on Chamillitary/Universal Republic arrives June 22.
Paul Wall Heart of a Champion on Asylum/Swishahouse arrives June 29.

Chamillionaire Venom announced earlier last month.

Paul Wall Heart of a Champion announced today, press release below.

April 20, 2010, Burbank, CA – Fresh off a month-long tour with former partner-in-rhyme, Chamillionaire, Houston rapper, Paul Wall, is all set to drop his 4th major label album, Heart of a Champion, on June 29th through SwishaHouse/Asylum Records. Almost half of the tracks featured on the album are produced by long-time friend and Expensive Taste band-mate, Travis Barker. The album will also feature several songs from Expensive Taste, the group which includes Skinhead Rob (Transplants) in addition to Paul and Travis.

Houston-based production duo, Beanz N Kornbread, are credited with the majority of the tracks not produced by Travis, including lead single "I'm on Patron", a lyrical documentary of a feeling that most of us have experienced - and greatly regretted the next day - that of simply having too much fun of the liquid variety. "I'm On Patron" is the perfect accompaniment to that 'blame it on the alcohol' kind of night and sure to be a party staple.

Feature duties for "Heart of a Champion" include a diverse list of cast members including Jim Jones, Yelawolf and Raekwon but do not ignore Paul's Houston roots; Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Devin the Dude and Lil' Keke each get their turn at the mic. Another Houston feature is Johnny Dang aka TV Johnny with whom Paul Wall shares a grills and jewelry business which caters to A-list celebrities and average Joes alike.

Always an advocate for the Texas music scene, Paul Wall was recently tapped as President of The Recording Academy's Texas Chapter. In this role, he hopes to educate and enlist the help of Texas musicians from every genre, to ensure that the state is well represented in the Grammy's voting body. The natural politician in Paul Wall makes him the perfect candidate for this role. He embodies his moniker, "The Peoples Champ."

With two #1 album debuts, a Platinum plaque and a Grammy nomination under his belt, not to mention having some of the hottest celebs in the nation rocking his signature diamond-encrusted grills at one point or another, Paul Wall is the embodiment of the Hip Hop success story. His journey began humbly enough as a promoter for hometown indie label, SwishaHouse, and culminated with him being largely instrumental in the growth of the Houston rap movement and its rise into the national arena.

There have been a total of 7 albums since then and the journey continues with no sign of slowing down. 10 years in and Paul Wall remains in the game and in the hearts of the people. Without question, he truly has 'The Heart of a Champion.'

More Paul Wall & Chamillionaire At SXSW 2010 Austin, TX

(video footage courtesy of Run 512)

Realted:
Paul Wall & Chamillionaire: Swishahouse Movement Rocks Texas Once Again At SXSW 2010

Paul Wall & Chamillionaire: Swishahouse Movement Rocks Texas Once Again At SXSW 2010

via the Boston Phoenix

Dem Texas boys support their own. I’m pretty sure that every rapper from within 100 miles of this motherf**ker was at La Zona Rosa for the Paul Wall and Chamillionaire reunion. I’m still semi-blinded from the light dancing off all the cheap bling.

But first a little back story. Four years ago I was down here with my homeys from UnderGroundHipHop.com; needless to say there was nary a southern rap enthusiast among us. Still, I felt it only appropriate to hit a UGK show that was about a 15 minute walk from downtown Austin.

While they won’t admit it now – what with everyone (including me) being on Bun B’s d**k – none of my hateriffic friends cared to venture out with me. As a punishment they missed not only an opportunity to check Pimp C before he passed, but also an opening act with a hook that went, ‘Meet me at the Circle K and wait by the pay phone.’

Why this story? Because it was what compelled me to pass up mad shit and roll to the Paul Wall-Chamillionaire blast off. When my grandkids ask about this moment in rap history, I’d like to be able to tell them that I sniffed meth off a hooker’s tw*t backstage.

So there I was. No hooker; no rails; but a noteworthy onslaught nonetheless. These are without a doubt my two favorite Texas rappers (because they can actually spit) and I’m not the only one who packs that sentiment.

Sure – dudes could have been a bit more prepared, but the spontaneity was part of the attraction. Though hysterically hyped, this was hardly overblown to Hurt Locker proportions (that flick was boring as f**k, by the way).

So that was my when in Rome sh*t. Don’t worry East Coast snobs – today will be filled with nothing but lyrical miracles.

Paul Wall Supporting Troops In Afghanistan & Kuwait

(photo courtesy of Spc. William E. Henry)

via Black Anthem Military News

Hip-Hop artist Paul Wall rocks the full crowd at the at the Military Welfare and Recreation clamshell during a Untied Service Organization performance, Aug. 26. Artists Paul Wall and D.J. Smallz performed for the crowd of military members and civilian workers.



Read more about Paul Wall and DJ Smallz visit to Afghanistan and Kuwait:
Ekek Promotions
DJ Smallz

More extensive photos via Ozone Mag:

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 1
Kuwait

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 2
Flying from Kuwait to Bagram, Afghanistan

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 3
Bagram, Afghanistan meet & greets w/ US troops

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 4
Bagram, Afghanistan show

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 5
Flying from Bagram to Kandahar, Afghanistan

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 6
Kandahar, Afghanistan show

Paul Wall & DJ Smallz USO Trip - Pt 7
Mizan Valley

Paul Wall New Video Made Exclusively on an Apple iPhone 3GS

via press release

Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 23, 2009 -- AV1 Productions and Gatecrasher Films are pleased to announce that their recent music video production, "I Need Mo" by platinum-selling artist Paul Wall and featuring Travis Barker and Kobe. This is the first music video with major label artists shot exclusively on the Apple iPhone 3GS.

In making the video, director Amir Valinia explains, "We wanted to do something that was more than just unique. We wanted to take an available technology and really push the envelope. We wanted to see how far we can go in making a high-quality music video with something that is fast becoming a common item, the Apple iPhone." The iPhone 3Gs is Apple's latest generation of smartphones. It comes with a simple video camera that shoots with 30 frames-per-second capability

G-Dash, the owner and CEO of Swishahouse, Paul Wall's record label, responded, "I was excited that Amir approached us at Swishahouse and afforded us the opportunity to be a part of this innovative way of shooting a music video using the iPhone....We have always been known for setting trends for others to follow, so when the concept was presented to me , it was a no brainer." Amir explains, "We didn't want production values to be any less than how we've worked in the past. But we knew that at the same time we had to make many adjustments to how we shot the video because of the iPhone."

Producer Ron Finberg also stated, "We knew going in that there would be challenges during post-production, especially with how to turn the footage into broadcast-quality. We are so pleased with how the video turned out.

Production began in mid-July in Houston, Texas and wrapped in Los Angeles with scenes featuring Kobe, who collaborated with Paul Wall on the song, and special guest star Travis Barker of Blink 182. Barry Strickland, the director of photography, created and customized several mounts and adapters specifically for the iPhone. Producer Ming Wang adds, "Even though the camera itself was simple enough, this was still a full-scale music video production. We still employed a professional crew, lighting, equipment, set design, make-up and so on. We wanted to maintain a cinematic look. The video also incorporates several greenscreen effects.

Post-production was spearheaded by Vic Tamborella, president and CEO of VT2 Studios in Houston, TX. "We had worked with VT2 Studios on several projects before and their work has always exceeded our expectations. We knew that their expertise in all aspects of editing and VFX would be valuable in working on something revolutionary as the iPhone video," says Amir Valinia.
Vic Tamborella states, "When Amir first approached me with the idea of working on the iphone music video I immediately said yes. We're just excited to be a part of something innovative and truly groundbreaking in media today. We were blown away at the response when news first broke of our intention to use the iPhone on our next music video".

The overall effort was a collaboration on several fronts. Producer Ron Finberg explains, "We at AV1 Productions and Gatecrasher Films were able to execute and complete the iPhone video because of the cooperation from G-Dash & Paul Wall of Swishahouse, VT2, Justin Seyb and Barry Strickland of APS along with Christian Heuer who assisted in producing the Los Angeles segments. After we came up with the concept for "I Need Mo", we were very fortunate that everyone had the same insight when it came to shooting this project... it was definitely a team effort." "We're very excited about this video", says Amir Valinia.

"We've truly reached a milestone with all the recent advances in film and video technology. I have directed and produced music videos for over 10 years now, and saw the opportunity to utilize that experience to try something different, something unique. The production values for this music video is not any different from all the other music videos we've worked on in the past. It was still a professional production. We utilized a soundstage, green screen, professional set-design, etc. The major difference is, we used the iPhone as our camera. Of course new shooting techniques were incorporated using this new type of camera, but it's just another way of embracing technology. This is not just revolutionary, but evolutionary."

Paul Wall recent concert footage (video)

Tippin On 4-4's

'Fast Life' out now