By Ron Fulcher: ~ Q. Twista, you been in the music game for about 18 years. And it has been said that there is a lot of motion and energy in your performances.
A: I would agree, I am a little animated on stage, I would argue that I am creating a new rap style with my animation on stage shows because I love that drive for my music.
Q. I have read, that you sometimes referred to yourself as the “Jason Voorhees of rap.” Do you consider yourself an antagonist in the music game? If so how do you maintain your resiliency in the game?
A: By loving my music, I try and keep up with what’s the newest thing coming out.
Q. During your rise to gain respectability in the game, who were your mentors, if any that you drew your inspiration from?
A: To name a few, Rakim, CoolJ, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Fatboys, Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick
Q. You started your music career in the 80’s during the Krush Groove days? When did you realize that you were truly an MC to be reckoned with?
A: Early in the game, I slayed a lot people, by the time I was starting to get recognized I was already a well rounded MC
Q. Your first “journey to fame” began in 1991 when Eric “The Wiz” from a local Chicago radio show saw you perform at the Golden Dome on Chicago’s Westside, and shortly thereafter released your debut album entitled “Runnin’ Off at da Mouth? Of which you were know as Tung Twista?
A: I felt like, I needed to achieve different goals, I started experimenting with different flows, improving the punchline, etc.
Q. You were also inducted in the Guinness World Records in 1992, for being able to pronounce 11.2 syllables per second. How did that make you feel?
A: I was ecstatic
Q. In 1996, you teamed up with fellow Chicago Act “Do or Die” on the track Po’ Pimp which became a hit single. Which ultimately led to a contract with Atlantic Records, and you released Adrenaline Rush in 1997 as well as dropping the Tung from your stage name. Is this when you started to redefine your music? In the redefining of your music and lyrics did you feel you had to set yourself apart from your counterparts?
A: I didn’t feel like I had to redefine my music, because after my first recording, I had made that transformation. I felt I was being dissed by other rappers in the game, and at one time I had a beef with Naughty by Nature, Eastcoast MCs, and especially writers in magazines. All of the negativity, was the driving force for me to keep my craft tight.
Q: You followed Adrenaline Rush, with Mobstability in 1998. You then formed your own Legit Ballin’ label, and released two compilation albums: Legit Ballin’ in 1999 and Legit Ballin’ Vol. 2: Street Scriptures in 2001. Shortly thereafter Respect the Game, Vol.3 in 2002 and Volume 4: Tha Truth in 2006. Did you consider yourself on top of your game as a performer after the release of these albums? If so why?
A: Yes, I did however I feel I was doing something different, that others weren’t doing, i.e. Bad Boy, Master P, etc.
What was it like to collaborate with Ruff Ryders and Drag-on on the Ruff riders: Ryde or Die Vol. 2 album, specifically on the track “Twisted Heat.”
A: I got to a shot out to Crazy Swiss Beats, I found myself smiling once I got into the groove of the track, and got into the flow of things. I really have to thanks Swiss for the inspiration.
Q:
In 2002, you began recording your album Kamikaze with rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris. In 2004 Kamikaze was released and debuted on the top spot of the American Billboard 200 Album chart, with the first single entitled “Slow Jamz” of which was also featured on “The College Dropout, the debut album of Kanye West, featuring West and Jamie Foxx which went on to become a number-one hit in the U.S. Other singles included were “Overnight Celebrity” and “So Sexy:” featuring R.Kelly which sold around 2 million copies.
What were you feeling during this time?
A: I had a long history, and at that point I felt like I had made it, but I also learned that making it is something you continuously have to do over and over. Q: It is also common knowledge you were connected with the remix of the song “Jook Gal” by Elephant Man featuring yourself and YoungBloodz. Then in 2005 “The Day After” was released featuring the hit singles “Girl Tonite” featuring Trey Songz, “Hit the Floor” featuring PitBull, and “One and Only” featuring Mariah Carey. Your next album, Adrenaline Rush 2007 came out in 2007 with singles, “Give it Up” featuring Pharrell and “Creep Fast” featuring T-Pain. Were you discouraged by the poor album sales, compared to your earlier albums?
A: Yes, definitely actually it was quite depressing you thinking to yourself, Here I am in the position when I can put music out the way I want to put it out and do what I want to do, and maintain the level of success, then you come to the realization that everything around you, that’s helping you get success is not just about believing in you as an artist is more about a number, you feel bad because, you want that person to believe in you as an artist. If they just believe in your project, then they will push you one time. When it comes around the next time you have the sense that they believe me as an artist, and they don’t do the same thing for the next project that they did for the first one. You understand what your position is. I definitely felt like it put a dent in my career, but the reason I was able to bounce back from it, was because I continue to make jams, due to the fact I do consider myself a true artist. Some people just get lucky one time and make a jam, I had the ability to keep going into the studio and make something people would like. So I didn’t let it hold me down. Q: Now on your new record label GMG (Get Money Gang), a subsidiary of EMI/Capitol Records, you are about to release your 7th solo album entitled Category F5. What can your fans, and followers of your music expect to hear from Twista?
A: Really, when they listen to the album, I can best describe the album, in the simplest of terms, is that people will get exactly the Twista album they want. What I mean when I say that is, when you listen to me today and you like what you’re hearing.
You will get a chance to hear Twista flow as well as some of your favorites like Gucci Man, Akon, I got Static Major on the album, and there is a production from Jeff Johnson and Bobby V and things like that. However as you continue to listen to the different collaborations, it makes you say to yourself, Man!
I heard Twista with this person and that person, but the truth of the matter is Man! I still wanna hear that original Twista sound! And then when the album continues to play, you will hear guest appearances from Psycho Drama, Johnny B, Do or Die, R.Kelly, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe and all that you have come to expect from Twista. In short, he says, with the album I gave them best of both worlds. An opportunity to hear me making new music and also the opportunity to hear Twista giving you another dope version of what you like to hear from me. The album drops July 14.
Q: Last question, you know I have to ask, what is deal with that whole Pinky thing?
A: Man, they threw me out the van, the good part about it is I love the Rah, Rah, But it is definitely not true. I have nothing but love for her.
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