Paul Wall performing at the Clamshell, a multi-purpose facility on Bagram Air Base
Paul blasting off M203 assault rifles into the mountains of the Mizan Valley
In this kind of dry heat, dehydration is a constant concern. Pallets of water bottles are everywhere (never cold, though; finding any kind of cold beverage or ice in Kandahar is considered a miracle). In 120+ degree weather, doing any kind of task is exhausting. I was dead tired just accompanying DJ Smallz on meet & greets, so I can only imagine what Marines, Air Force, and Army folks go through on actual missions.
diers led by a resourceful producer named Eric “Pretty E” Jackson and his enthusiastic rhyming partner, Mississippi native Arseneal “Young Dunny” Gines, rig up a makeshift ProTools set-up and a handheld microphone to download beats off the internet and spit rhymes. Most of their lyrics are focused on life back home in the States; it’s an escape from the war-torn environment in which they are currently living.
After nightfall, Smallz and Paul put on a show at Southpark, a section of Kandahar where many U.S. troops reside in tents. The crowd at Southpark was overwhelmingly rap fans. With a makeshift wooden stage propped up between the tents and soldiers’ barracks, two soft spotlights directed at the states, and an energetic crowd exited to have two hometown entertainers in their midst, the Southpark show was exactly what a Hip Hop show should be. The lighting was subtle, the vibe was right, the energy was live, and troops lined up for hours after the show to take pictures with Paul and Smallz.
After touching down from our harrowing helicopter ride and delivering the personal pan pizzas, we were given a quick tour of the base and several soldiers taught us how to blast off grenade launchers into the nearby mountains. Caves run all throughout the mountains, similar to the tunnels in which bin Laden & co. were once rumored to be hiding. The M203 packs a serious punch and such a strong kickback that both rounds (I hit the target on the first try, thank you very much) left thick bruises on my inner bicep for a week to follow.
The morning after Southpark, Paul plopped down at the dining hall looking refreshed. As promised, he’d showered. Cat devoured three helpings of the breakfast buffet while Paul and Smallz reminisced on their night. “I’m like a new person after that shower,” sighed Paul. “I even changed my underwear and my socks. Same Dickies though. I slept like a baby last night.” “I fell asleep in my chain,” chimed in DJ Smallz, flashing the chain as usual for extra emphasis. “Same clothes I wore to the concert.”
MIZAN VALLEY Even in the midst of a war zone, true passion shines through. On an army base barely large enough to have port-o-potties, the coolest recording studio ever, The Mack Shack, exists to bring hope to the 50 troops stationed on base. It is, quite literally, a shack - filled with military logistics equipment, ammunition, and weapons. But in lighter moments, a handful of sol-
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Tuerck keeping a watchful eye on board the helicopter
After a quick stop off in the cafeteria to check email, Smallz dropped mortars while Paul checked out a couple potential beats in the Mack Shack, ultimately laying a verse free of charge. “Who can say that they recorded a song in Afghanistan?” Paul asked. “Now that’s ‘keepin’ it real.’” After our memorable day trip to Mizan, we headed back to the main base at Kandahar, where Paul and Smallz performed one final show at the Boardwalk for NATO troops from all over the world. Several enthusiastic Scottish Army troops turned out to be huge Paul Wall fans, throwing up the “H” for H-Town.
COMIC RELIEF Aside from Paul’s lack of shame regarding his personal hygiene, Smallz’ love for his brandnew chain provided much of the comic relief throughout a tour which might otherwise have been heavy. Smallz’ jeweler, Mo from Icebox Jewelry, met him at the Atlanta airport before our departure from the States to bring him his very first iced-out piece, of which he was quite proud. After our return, even in my state of