If you were keeping up with the trends during the 2000s, you definitely know of Paul Wall – the Houston rapper who had everyone wearing grills in the 2000s.
Nowadays, the rapper is sitting on a cool $2.5 million these days, which honestly isn’t too shabby for someone who started out making mixtapes in H-town.
And here’s another fun fact: Paul Wall has dropped 12 albums if you can believe it. He then made the smart move into the grills business with Johnny Dang. I believe it’s inspiring that he made it this far, considering he started out rapping at local radio stations with Chamillionaire.
Eager to learn more? Scroll along for a more detailed look into Paul Wall’s life and career.
Paul Wall: A Quick Look Into the Rapper
Let’s break down some quick facts about Paul Wall before we dive deeper.

Image source: Instagram
Full Name | Paul Michael Slayton |
Date of Birth | March 11, 1981 |
Age | 43 years olf (as of 2024) |
Zodiac | Pisces |
Place of Birth | Houston, Texas |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Rapper, Songwriter, and Jeweller |
Net Worth | $2.5 million |
Spouse | Crystal Wall |
Children | William Patrick Slayton (son) and Noelle Slayton (daughter) |
Paul Wall: Net Worth & Salary
When we talk about Paul Wall’s net worth in 2024, we’re looking at $2.5 million. Now, compared to some other Houston rappers like Travis Scott ($80 million) or even his old partner Chamillionaire (around $50 million), that number might seem modest.

Image source: Google
But what makes Paul stand out from the rest is that he built a separate, more sustainable career outside of music.
Where Does Paul Wall’s Money Come From?
Music
Remember when The People’s Champ hit #1 on Billboard in 2005? That album went platinum, and singles like Sittin’ Sidewayz and Girl both went gold!
During that time, Paul was really cashing in on his music. Since then, he’s released 11 more albums – though none quite hit those same heights commercially.
The Grills Business
Here’s where Paul got smart with his money, or at least I think so. Back in 2002, he partnered with Johnny Dang to open Smile on the Rocks in a Houston mall.
They later upgraded to Johnny Dang & Co. in 2016. While it seemed like a side hustle at first, it quickly became a huge thing for hip-hop fans and celebrities. Many have dropped thousands on custom pieces.
View this post on Instagram
Live Performances & Tours
Believe it or not, Paul’s still active on the touring circuit, especially in Texas and the South. While we don’t have exact numbers, regional artists like Paul usually earn $10,000 to $50,000 per show. Although, those numbers depend on the venue and event.
Paul Wall: How He Began
Looking at him, you might not guess it, but Paul Wall actually started out as a pretty serious student in Houston. Born in ‘81, he grew up in H-town and graduated from Jersey Village High School before heading to the University of Houston for mass communications.
Here’s where the story gets interesting: while he was studying, he started promoting shows with Chamillionaire (that’s the Ridin’ Dirty guy). These two basically became the dynamic duo of Houston’s rap scene.

Image source: Google
Their first album together, Get Ya Mind Correct, sold over 200,000 copies independently. That’s pretty wild if you ask me, considering they were just two guys doing local shows and mixtapes.
Fun fact: Paul Wall helped promote other artists’ shows before all the fame. He really is The People’s Champ!
Paul Wall: Career Highlights & Achievements
We already established that 2005 was definitely Paul’s year. Then in 2007, he scored a Grammy nomination for Grillz with Nelly, which pretty much became the anthem for anyone wanting to bling out their smile.
Interestingly, Paul helped create the first mobile battle rap game in 2011. Even more, he performed for the U.S. troops overseas and showed up in the movie I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.
Final Thoughts
Many didn’t hear about Paul Wall until his iconic grill trend back in the 2000s and his hit song The People’s Champ. With a net worth of $2.5 million and a Grammy nomination under his belt, people should remember him for more than his custom jewelry.
Featured image source: Instagram