Before Paul Wall was tippin' on fo-fo's and putting diamonds in everyone's grill....and before Chamillionaire asked you to turn it up while ridin' dirty...they were making SERIOUS noise in the underground. Selling more albums and selling out more shows than some of your favorite mainstream rappers, these guys were doin' it major without a major deal. Not too many rappers you could say had a brand new Bentley before inking with a major label...but Chamillionaire did. The hustle and drive of these two Houston legends is personified on their 2002 group effort "Get Ya Mind Correct".
For awhile, Houston was mainly known for the hard-hitting horrorcore of the Geto Boys, the gangsta/social commentary of Scarface and the pimped out drug dealing ways of UGK. Things began to change in the later half of the 1990's when artists like Fat Pat, DJ Screw, Lil Troy, Lil Keke, Lil Flip, Big HAWK and others started started implementing more smoothed out, braggadocious rhymes. Freestyling became a big part of things, and a new wave from the Swishahouse began to make noise, including Slim Thug, 50/50 Twin, Tum-Tum and of course, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire.
This album is pretty much a blueprint and introduction to the Houston scene for out of towners who might be skeptical. Sure, the subject matter doesn't deter much from money, diamonds, rims and candy paint, but you would be hard pressed to find a duo who could say it better and with more style. Every verse is packed to the brim with metaphors and punchlines, making for a humorous and entertaining listen. The beats knock hard and are perfect for cruising on a sunny day. This album personifies living and feeling good more effectively than any other in it's genre. It's all about having a good time, grindin' for the almighty dollar and lookin' good.
Like all good things, this too eventually came to end. Paul and Cham went their seperate ways and went on to become international superstars and entrepreneurs. They reconciled a year or two back and are at least back on good terms, but both say another album together in unlikely....but money talks so who knows. For your money, if you are looking for the perfect intro to the Houston sound that dominated from early-mid 2000's, this is the end-all, be-all release. 150,000 copies sold independent, features in The Source...these sorta things didn't and still don't happen for unknown rappers. But due to a combo of old-fashioned hard work and immense skill, Paul Wall and Chamillionaire grinded from the bottom all the way to platinum superstardom.
KEY TRAKS: "N Luv With My Money", "My Money Gets Jealous", "Go Grind", "The Other Day", "Falsifying", "Balla Talk 2", "Luv N My Life"
I was just watching FUSE tv last night and they have a series called "BEEF". These 2 were part of that. Check out sometime when you get a chance.
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