Twista | |
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 Twista in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Tung Twista |
| Born | Carl Terrell Mitchell (1973-11-27)November 27, 1973 (age 51) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | |
| Producer(s) | The Legendary Traxster |
| Signature | |
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Carl Terrell Mitchell (born November 27, 1973), better known by his stage nameTwista (also known asTung Twista), is an American rapper. He is best known for hischopper style of rapping and for once holding the title of fastest English-speaking rapper in the world according toGuinness World Records in 1992, being able to pronounce 598 syllables in 55 seconds.
In 1997, after appearing onDo or Die's hit single "Po Pimp",[1][2] produced bythe Legendary Traxster, Twista signed withBig Beat andAtlantic Records,[3] where he released his third albumAdrenaline Rush and formed the groupSpeedknot Mobstaz, in 1998. His 2004 albumKamikaze topped the U.S.Billboard 200, after the success of theBillboard Hot 100 number-one single "Slow Jamz" (withKanye West andJamie Foxx).[4][1]
Carl Terrell Mitchell was born on November 27, 1973,[5] and grew up in theK-Town area of theWest Garfield Park neighborhood on theWest Side ofChicago,Illinois, and began rapping at the age of 12.[6]
Mitchell released his debut single "Mr. Tung Twista" in 1991. In 1992, he released his first album,Runnin' Off at da Mouth, as Tung Twista.[7][8]
His second album,Resurrection, was set to be released in 1994, but due to problems with his record label at the timeAtlantic Records and marketing issues involving fellow Chicago rapperCommon'salbum of the same name, the album was only released in the city of Chicago and thus got little national attention.[9]
In 1996, he teamed with Chicago producerthe Legendary Traxster and Creator's Way / CWAL artistsDo or Die on the track "Po Pimp" produced by the Legendary Traxster, which became a hit single. This led to a CWAL's label deal with Atlantic Records, which releasedAdrenaline Rush in 1997.[10] Twista had by then dropped the "Tung" from his stage name.[6]Adrenaline Rush became Twista's first charting album, as it peaked at #77 on theBillboard 200. The album also spawned aBillboard Hot 100 hit in "Get It Wet" produced by the Legendary Traxster, which peaked at #96.
In 1998, Twista teamed with other Chicago area rappers to formSpeedknot Mobstaz. They released their first album,Mobstability, produced entirely by the Legendary Traxster, in 1998. Twista then joined label Legit Ballin', which released two compilation albums:Legit Ballin' in 1999 andLegit Ballin' Vol. 2: Street Scriptures in 2001.[6] The label later releasedRespect the Game, Vol. 3 in 2002 andVolume 4: Tha Truth in 2006. In 2000, Twista collaborated withRuff Ryders andDrag-On on the albumRyde or Die Vol. 2, on the track "Twisted Heat". He also collaborated withMemphis Bleek on "Is That Your Chick (The Lost Verses)" on the albumThe Understanding.
Beginning in 2002, Twista began recording his albumKamikaze with rappers likeKanye West andLudacris.Kamikaze was released in 2004 and debuted at the top spot of the USBillboard 200 album chart.[11] Its first single "Slow Jamz" (also featured on West's debut albumThe College Dropout), featured West andJamie Foxx and became anumber-one hit in the US.[10] Other singles included "Overnight Celebrity" and "So Sexy" (featuringR. Kelly); the album sold around two million copies.[6] The remix of the song "Jook Gal" byElephant Man featured Twista and theYoungBloodZ.Kamikaze and its singles gave Twista a new level of success and rose his profile significantly within the rap community.
Twista's albumThe Day After was released in 2005. It featured the hit singles "Girl Tonite" (featuringTrey Songz), "Hit the Floor" (featuringPitbull), and "So Lonely" (featuringMariah Carey). His next album,Adrenaline Rush 2007, was released in 2007. Also in 2007, Pitbull released the song "Candyman" featuring Twista off the albumThe Boatlift. Its singles were "Give It Up" (featuringPharrell) and "Creep Fast" (featuringT-Pain). This album sold poorly compared to Twista's earlier albums.[citation needed] Twista appeared on the single "Hell No (Leave Home)" fromMonica's 2006 albumThe Makings of Me. In 2008, Twista launched a new record label called Get Money Gang Entertainment and the albumCategory F5 with the hit, "Wetter".[12] In 2009, Twista appeared on the single "Legendary" with fellow Chicago rappers AK-47 ofDo or Die andSaurus and Bones.[13][14]
Twista released his eighth solo album,The Perfect Storm on November 9, 2010. The first single from the album, "Make a Movie" produced by the Legendary Traxster, featuringChris Brown, was released on August 24, 2010.[15] Two buzz singles were released, "I Do" produced by Traxster and "Heat" produced by fellow Chicago producersNo I.D. and the Legendary Traxster. The album features artists such asWaka Flocka Flame,Raekwon, Tia London,Sean "Diddy" Combs,Ray J, and others. Production on the album is mainly by the Legendary Traxster along with Streetrunner, the Kray Twinz, Tight Mike, and No I.D., Twista discussed his new documentary, directed byVlad Yudin and the making ofThe 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.[16]
A documentary film,Mr. Immortality: The Life and Times of Twista, was released in November 2010.[17]
In January 2013, Twista was featured in a remix ofLil Reese's song "Traffic". As of 2013, Twista was working on his ninth studio album,Dark Horse. He also was rumored to be in the works of signing a record deal withKanye West's record labelGOOD Music, although in an interview withHipHopDX, Twista denied the rumor.[18] The first single was "Throwin' My Money" (featuring R. Kelly) and produced by Chris Millionaire. Twista appeared on the song "Jewels n' Drugs" byLady Gaga on the albumArtpop. "It's Yours" (featuring Tia London) was released on May 6, 2014, as the second single of the aforementioned album.[19][20] It was serviced tourban contemporary radio in the US on May 27, 2014, byCapitol Records.[21]Dark Horse was released on August 12, 2014.
Twista is featured on the song "Gossip" fromWhen Music Worlds Collide (Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith album)When Music Worlds Collide released in May 2015. Twista released his mixtapeSummer 96 in 2019. It includes the song "Home Invasion" which features "Do or Die" and was produced by Hearon Tracks.[22]
Twista appeared on the TV game showTo Tell the Truth (onABC) in 2017. In 2019, he appeared as a judge on the rap competition seriesRhythm + Flow onNetflix.
Twista was married from 1991 to 1999 and had a daughter with his ex-wife.[23]
During the holiday season in 2010, Twista and his team Get Money Gang worked together with Chicago Food Bank's Producemobile program to feed hungry people in the community.[24]
Twista is a gun enthusiast, has an IllinoisConcealed Carry License, and is a US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) andNational Rifle Association of America (NRA) certified instructor.[25][better source needed] He teaches a course on concealed carry in Chicago,[26] aiming to use education to combat gun violence.[27]
Studio albums
Collaborative albums
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