Creator Spotlight: Tall Paul
With his The Story of Jim Thorpe album dropping in a few days, Tall Paul is running full force with his vision of giving guidance to others through his endeavors.
“I feel like the initial spark for me just came from listening to 90’s rap all the time,” said Tall Paul when asked when his interest in music started. “From there it became MTV music videos and 106th & Park on BET; especially their Freestyle Friday episodes.”
His motivation wasn’t only fueled by the things he heard on the radio or what he saw on TV. He would also see those around him, like his cousin, rapping into tape recorders and jotting down rhymes in their spare time. The first rap he wrote was at the age of fourteen and he hasn’t let up since.
Lyricism and content are the main motivations of Tall Paul’s rap style. He uses issues he feels naturally connected to and inspired by to produce content he loves while also being a positive influence for other Indigenous people.
“Lyrically, I always want to bring my A game,” said Tall Paul. “Sometimes that’s rapping a little faster. Sometimes that’s slow flow with strong wordplay. Sometimes it’s storytelling or a mix of any of those and more; but I always try to bring my best.”
If you think that this is Tall Paul’s freshman album, you are mistaken. He’s had his teeth in the game for almost fourteen years now, making impacts every step of the way. From his performances back in ‘08, the EP he dropped with Twin City Tone under the duo-group Red Poets Society, collaborations with Sten Joddi, to his new album depicting the life on Indigenous athlete Jim Thorpe, Tall Paul has continued to prove himself and his talents.
“I have to shout out Big Quarters here,” Tall Paul interrupted. “They weren’t necessarily a musical influence so much as a real life one. They helped me get into recording, understand the process of mixing, and all of that.”
However, making music isn’t Tall Paul’s only passion. He also does public speaking events, workshops, and other entrepreneurial endeavors.
“I came to the point in my music career recently where I began contemplating stepping away from music significantly and getting into a new career path,” said Tall Paul. “I still want to pursue that other path but when that started feeling real, I just naturally knew in my soul that I can’t be done with music yet.”
Still hungry, Tall Paul won’t be leaving the rap game anytime soon. For more information about his music, speaking engagements, or other booking details, search “@tallpaulhiphop” on your favorite social media platforms.