Paul Wall Reveals He Didn’t Realize He Was White Until Elementary School

Houston rap legend Paul Wall recently shared a surprising childhood revelation during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. Speaking with Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, and Jess Hilarious, the rapper admitted that he didn’t realize he was white until he was in elementary or middle school.

“I didn’t know I was white ’til white people told me I was white,” Paul Wall said, recalling how classmates would comment on his speech and behavior. “They was like, ‘You white. Why you talk and act like that? You white.’ And I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’”

Wall explained that he grew up in a diverse neighborhood with friends of various ethnic backgrounds. “All my friends were Black, Mexican or Asian,” he explained. “I lived in a very diverse neighborhood… It was Mexican, Black, Vietnamese, Indian… A lot of everything.”

The rapper also joked about his mother’s DNA test results, which revealed she was 3% African. “I know she can’t say the N-word. That ain’t enough for her to say the N-word!” he laughed.

In addition to his childhood story, Wall opened up about his insecurities regarding his appearance, particularly his gray hair. “I remember my bro Nelly and Ali pulling me to the side and saying, ‘Aye, bruh, you gotta do something about those grays, they showing out!’” he shared. However, after turning 40, Wall said his attitude shifted. “Once I hit 40, it just felt like being gray was more age-appropriate. All my hang-ups, insecurities, they went out the window.”

This year, Paul Wall released his 15th album, Once Upon a Grind, which features collaborations with Big K.R.I.T., Slim Thug, Freeway, and more.