Twista
|
|
Twista.JPG
Twista (born 27 November, 1973, previously Tung Twista) is a Chicago, Illinois rapper known for his rapid delivery of his raps. His 2004 album Kamikaze went to number one on the US Billboard 200 in early 2004 based on his number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 "Slow Jamz".
| Contents |
Early years
Twista was born Carl Mitchell in Chicago on 27 November 1973 and grew up in the K-Town area on the west side of Chicago. He started rapping at the age of 12. However, before starting his professional career, he worked at several other jobs including factory work, selling shoes, working at McDonald's Corporation, working as a security guard and even cutting hair.
He was one of the first artists to sign up with Loud Records and in 1991 he released Runnin' off at da Mouth under the name of Tung Twista. Due to his rapid-fire pace of delivery, he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest rapper. Despite this recognition, the album achieved little success.
In 1996, he teamed with fellow Chicago act Do or Die on the track "Po' Pimp" leading to a contract with Atlantic Records. He dropped the "Tung" off "Tung Twista", and released Adrenaline Rush in 1997 followed by Mobstability in 1998. Twista then formed his own Legit Ballin' label which has released two compilation albums Legit Ballin' in 1999 and Legit Ballin' Vol. 2: Street Scriptures in 2001.
Twista developed a good reputation in rap circles leading to work with P. Diddy, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Royce Da 5'9", Shaquille O'Neal and Da Brat. However, it would take him until 2004 to achieve a platinum, number one record in his own name.
Chart success - Kamikaze
On his website, Twista stated that he made "Kamikaze" to show that he was still true to the ideals that he had when he started out. "I represent for the MCs that have skills, not just make music for the hell of it. I take the time to concentrate. Otherwise, I could have 10 albums out there, easy. I could sit down all day and write something. But I write when I get in a zone more than writing because I’ve got to do this. I represent the artists that keep it true to what really is, to be able to make rappers want to write."
"I want to show the streets that I’m back and that I’m true to the game. Musically, I want to show that I’m still out here doing my thing. After all the people that were out when I was out years ago fell off, I’m still out here competing with the shorties. I also want to gain platinum success. It’s something that I haven’t done."
The first single "Slow Jamz" featured Kanye West, an associate of Jay-Z, and Jamie Foxx. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and world R&B charts in early 2004, and eventually reached number 3 in the UK singles charts. Kamikaze built on the success of "Slow Jamz" to reach the top of the Billboard 200 album charts on release in January 2004 and to go platinum by March 2004. The second single "Overnight Celebrity" became another Top 10 Hot 100 hit and UK Top 40 entry, while the third, "So Sexy" (featuring R. Kelly) made the Top 40 of the Hot 100. In the UK, the album track "Sunshine", which featured R&B singer Anthony Hamilton and lifted its chorus from Bill Withers' "Lovely Day", was extracted as a third single and became a big hit; this track received comparatively little exposure in the US, perhaps because rapper Lil' Flip had a huge hit there at the same time with a different song of the same title.
Discography
- Runnin' off at da Mouth (1991 - as Tung Twista)
- Adrenaline Rush (1997)
- Mobstability (1998)
- Legit Ballin' (1999) (compilation)
- Legit Ballin' Vol 2: Street Scriptures (2001) (compilation)
- Kamikaze (2004)
Links
- Twista VH1 artist page (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/twista/albums.jhtml/)
- Twista artist page (http://www.twista.net/)
- Twista artist page (http://ubl.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,583359,00.html?artist=Twista/)