Changing the Rap Game
-Greg Thumm
SaulPaul’s story is much like many other rappers who grow up in the ghetto, go to jail, and make rap music. However, both his music and his message are far different from the typical stuff on the radio. Rather than letting irresponsible behavior continue as a standard, SaulPaul has decided to make it his soul mission to mentor his young listeners about the power of one’s decisions.
Once incarcerated for a total of four felony counts and sentenced to ten years, SaulPaul realized it was because of his bad choices that landed him in jail, not just the marginalized situation he was born into as an impoverished African American from the hood. Having been a student at the University of Texas for less than a year before he went to jail, he showed that he was academically capable of being a good student, but it was a lack of personal responsibility that got him kicked out of school and ultimately sent to jail.
After two years, he was miraculously paroled. Once free he was able to identify the importance of making good decisions and worked until he was reaccepted into the University of Texas. When he graduated from college with a degree in Music-Television-Film, SaulPaul worked a few different jobs before realizing that he had a musical talent. Now, he makes a living composing music that catches any listener’s attention with its catchy beats and relevant lyrics. His ability to rap while playing the acoustic guitar adds yet another element to SaulPaul’s original style.
With over 10 years in the game, SaulPaul, has made it his mission to create an original sound that deviates from the “rap norm.” By blending his acoustic guitar, fluent freestyling ability, and creative beats with the help of his loop pedal, SaulPaul’s sound stands alone. Furthermore, SaulPaul is a “musician with a message” because of his active work with at-risk youth in the Austin area. The lyrics behind his song ring true from his life experiences of growing up in a Houston ghetto, to being incarcerated, but overcoming these struggles to ultimately graduate from the University of Texas.
He shares this journey in his title track, Tower to Tower.
