Carl Terrell Mitchell (born November 27, 1972), better
known by his stage name Twista, is an American rapper. Mitchell debuted
as Tung Twista in 1991 with Runnin' Off at da Mouth and dropped "Tung" from
his stage name in 1996. He once held the title of fastest rapper in
the world: according to the Guinness World Records in 1992, being able
to pronounce 11.2 syllables per second. In 1997, after appearing on
Do or Die's hit "Po Pimp", Twista was signed to Atlantic
Records and debuted under that label with Adrenaline Rush and formed
the group Speedknot Mobstaz in 1998. His 2004 album Kamikaze went to
number-one on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart after the success
of his number-one Billboard Hot 100 single "Slow Jamz."
He released his debut album Runnin' Off at da Mouth in 1992. At
that time, he performed under the name Tung Twista.[1] He became
known in the hip-hop community for being the world's fastest rapper,
and was listed in the 1992 Guinness Book of World Records for his
fast rapping.[2] Despite his notoriety from this the album did not
sell particularly well, and Twista was dropped from the Loud Records
label.
His second album, titled Resurrection, was set to be released in
1994, but due to problems with record labels and marketing issues
involving fellow Chicago rapper Common's album of the same name,
the album was only released in the city of Chicago and thus got very
little national attention.
In 1996 he teamed with fellow Chicago act Do or Die on the track "Po
Pimp", which became a hit single. This led to a contract with
Atlantic Records, which released Adrenaline Rush in 1997.[3] Twista
had by then dropped the "Tung" from his stage name.[1]
Adrenaline Rush became Twista's first charting album, as it peaked
at #77 on the Billboard Hot 200. The album also spawned a Billboard
Hot 100 hit in "Get It Wet", which peaked at #96.
In 1998 Twista teamed with other Chicago area rappers to form the
Speedknot Mobstaz. They released their first album, Mobstability,
in 1998. Twista then formed his own Legit Ballin' label, which released
two compilation albums: Legit Ballin' in 1999 and Legit Ballin' Vol.
2: Street Scriptures in 2001.[1] The label later released Respect
The Game, Vol. 3 in 2002 and Volume 4: Tha Truth in 2006. In 2000,
Twista collaborated with Ruff Ryders and Drag-On on the Ruff Ryders:
Ryde or Die Vol. 2 album, on the track "Twisted Heat."
Beginning in 2002, Twista began recording his album Kamikaze with
rappers like Kanye West and Ludacris. Kamikaze came out in 2004 and
debuted at the top spot of the American Billboard 200 album chart
at #1.[4] Its first single "Slow Jamz" (also featured on
Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout), featured West and
Jamie Foxx and became a number-one hit in the US.[3] Other singles
included "Overnight Celebrity" and "So Sexy" (featuring
R. Kelly); the album sold around two million copies.[1] The remix
of the song "Jook Gal" by Elephant Man featured Twista
and the YoungBloodZ. The Kamikaze album and its singles gave Twista
a new level of success and rose his profile significantly within
the rap community.
Twista's album The Day After was released in 2005. It featured the
hit singles "Girl Tonite" featuring Trey Songz, "Hit
the Floor" featuring Pitbull, and "So Lonely" featuring
Mariah Carey. His next album, Adrenaline Rush 2007 came out in 2007.
Its singles were "Give it Up" featuring Pharrell and "Creep
Fast" featuring T-Pain. This album sold poorly compared to Twista's
earlier albums.[citation needed] Twista appeared on the single "Hell
No (Leave Home)" from Monica's album fall 2006 The Makings of
Me.
In 2008, Twista launched a new record label, Get Money Gang Entertainment.[5]
Twista is set to release his eight solo album entitled, The Perfect
Storm on Nov 9. The first single from the album, "Make a Movie",
featuring Chris Brown, was released on August 24, 2010 and produced
by Travisty.[6] Two buzz singles were released, "I Do" produced
by Traxster and "Heat" produced by fellow Chicago producers
NO I.D. and The Legendary Traxster. The album will feature artists
such as Waka Flocka Flame, Raekwon, Tia London, Diddy, Ray J and
others. Production on the album is handled mainly by The Legendary
Traxster along with Streetrunner, Twinz, Tight Mike and NO I.D.
In an October 31, 2010 interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio,
Twista discussed his new documentary, directed by Vlad Yudin and
the making of The Perfect Storm, including his belief that artists
need to do more than just record songs and that they need to become
more involved with the community around them.[7]
During the holiday season in 2010, Twista and his GMG team worked
together with Chicago Food Bank's Producemobile program to feed hungry
people in the community.[8] Twista continues to give back to his
community whenever he can.
[edit] In other media
A documentary film is currently in production about Twista's life
and music in Chicago. It is being directed by Vlad Yudin and is set
to be released by EMI in 2010.[9]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Twista discography
[edit] Solo albums
* 1991: Runnin' Off at da Mouth
* 1994: Resurrection
* 1997: Adrenaline Rush
* 2004: Kamikaze
* 2005: The Day After
* 2007: Adrenaline Rush 2007
* 2009: Category F5
* 2010: The Perfect Storm
* 2011: The Next Day After
[edit] Albums with Speedknot Mobstaz
* 1998: Mobstability
* 2008: Mobstability II: Nation Business
[edit] Albums with Legit Ballaz
* 1999: Legit Ballin Vol 1: The Album
* 2001: Legit Ballin Vol 2: The New Testament 2K (Street Scriptures Compilation)
* 2001: Tailwinds
* 2002: Legit Ballin Vol 3: Respect The Game
* 2006: Legit Ballin Vol.4: Tha Truth
* 2006: TailWinds Vol.2:
[edit] Other albums
* 2000: Adrenaline Rush 2000: Twista's Greatest Hits
* 2001: Ball til' I Fall
* 2005: 2 for 10 (EP)
* 2008: Soft Buck Vol. 1