Heart of a Champion (album)

Heart of a Champion is the fifth studio album by American rapper Paul Wall. It was released by Warner Bros., Asylum Records and Swishahouse on July 13, 2010.^[1]^[2]

Background

Guests and production

The album featured production mainly from Houston duo Beanz N Kornbread and Travis Barker, who is part of the group Expensive Taste together with Paul Wall. Guests featuring on the album included rappers Yelawolf, Lil Keke, Jim Jones, Raekwon, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug and Devin the Dude. Wall's jewelry business partner Johnny Dang also appeared on the song Heart of a Champion.^[1] Wall had a session with The Neptunes but they did not make the final cut.

Reception

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 56 on the US Billboard 200 chart, sellling 7,600 copies in its first week.^[3] It also debuted at number 7 on the Billboard's Top Rap Albums Chart.^[4] In its second week, the album fell to number 124 on the Billboard 200 with total sales of 11,000 copies in the United States.^[5] To date, the album has sold 27,000 copies in the United States.^[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[7]
HipHopDX	^[8]
Slant Magazine	^[9]
Spin	^[10]
XXL	(L)^[11]
DJBooth.net	^[12]

The album received a 3/5 star rating from XXL.^[11] Sean Ryon, editor of HipHopDX gave the album 3 out of 5 stars and said "As flawed as it is, Heart of a Champion is still an album worthy of merit. Paul exhibits a lyrical vigor unheard since his 2005 major label debut. While the album may not be a complete victory, he proves without a doubt that he's still the People's Champ."^[8] Ben Detrick of Spin commented this is his best album since his platinum-selling 2005 major-label debut.^[10] On the other hand, Jesse Cataldo of Slant Magazine gave Heart of a Champion a 1.5 out of 5, claiming the album "feels like a misguided departure and a lazy retread."^[9]

Track listing

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Take Notes"	Travis Barker	3:11
2.	"Showin' Skillz" (featuring Lil' Keke)	Travis Barker	4:30
3.	"I'm on Patron"	Beanz N Kornbread	3:49
4.	"Round Here" (featuring Chamillionaire)	Beanz N Kornbread	4:05
5.	"Im'ma Get It" (featuring Kid Sister & Bun B)	Travis Barker	4:15
6.	"Stay Iced Up" (featuring C. Stone & Johnny Dang)	Da Shit Factory	4:05
7.	"Pocket Fulla Presidents" (featuring Andre Nickatina & Mitchy Slick)	Beanz N Kornbread	4:04
8.	"Ain't a Thang" (featuring Jim Jones)	Travis Barker	3:15
9.	"My City" (featuring Dallas Blocker & Yo Gotti)	Beanz N Kornbread	4:08
10.	"Smoke Everyday" (featuring Z-Ro & Devin the Dude)	Beanz N Kornbread	6:38
11.	"Live It" (featuring Jay Electronica, Raekwon & Yelawolf)	Travis Barker	4:04
12.	"Not My Friend" (Expensive Taste featuring Slim Thug)	Travis Barker	3:16
13.	"Still On"	Yung Chill	4:01
14.	"Heart of a Hustler" (Expensive Taste solo)	Travis Barker	3:24

iTunes bonus tracks
No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
15.	"Keep On Pushin" (featuring Unique)	Beanz N Kornbread	3:57
16.	"Posted Up" (featuring Tum Tum & Big Tuck)	Beanz N Kornbread	5:18

Sample credits

"Smoke Everyday" samples from "The Next Episode" performed by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg

Chart positions

Chart (2010)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200^[3]	56
U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums^[4]	7

References

1 2 Paine, Jake (2010-04-20). "Travis Barker To Produce Half Of Paul Wall's "Heart Of A Champion" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
↑ Hanna, Mitchell (2010-06-08). "Tuesday Rap Release Dates: Fat Joe, Jeezy, Rah Digga | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
1 2 Jacobs, Allen (2010-07-22). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/18/2010 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX". Beta.hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
1 2 "Paul Wall Music News & Info". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
↑ Paine, Jake (2010-07-28). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/25/2010 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
↑ hiphopencounter.com
↑ Heart of a Champion (album) at AllMusic
1 2 Ryon, Sean (21 July 2010). "HipHopDX reviews: Paul Wall's "Heart of a Champion". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
1 2 Cataldo, Jesse (11 July 2010). "Slant reviews: Paul Wall's "Heart of a Champion"". Slantmagazine.com. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
1 2 Detrick, Ben (2 July 2010). "Spin reviews: Paul Wall's "Heart of a Champion"". Spin.com. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
1 2 Cho, Jaeki (2010). XXL Magazine July/August Issue. XXL. p. 96.
↑ Slavik, Nathan (13 July 2010). "DJBooth.net reviews: Paul Wall's "Heart of a Champion"". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 28 July 2011.

Paul Wall

Albums	Chick Magnet The Peoples Champ Get Money, Stay True Fast Life Heart of a Champion #Checkseason

Collaborations	Get Ya Mind Correct Controversy Sells Expensive Taste

Singles	"Sittin' Sidewayz" "They Don't Know" "Girl" "Break 'Em Off" "I'm Throwed" "Bizzy Body"

Featured singles	"Still Tippin'" "Draped Up" "Grillz" "Still on It" "I'm 'n Luv (Wit a Stripper)" "Drive Slow" "Holla at Me" "Way I Be Leanin'" "About Us" "The Main Event" "So Gone (What My Mind Says)"

Related articles	Discography Expensive Taste Chamillionaire Travis Barker

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