Twista 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 working at a factory, selling shoes, working at McDonald's, working as a security guard, and even cutting hair.
Twista was one of the first artists to sign with Loud Records. 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. Tung Twista dropped the "Tung" off of his name in his second album Resurrection, which was never released outside of Chicago's underground.
In 1996, he teamed with fellow Chicago act "Do or Die" on the track "Po' Pimp" leading to a contract with Atlantic Records. He 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. The label later released Respect The Game,Vol. 3 in 2002 and Volume 4: Tha Truth in 2006.
Twista developed a good reputation in rap circles leading to work with Mariah Carey, P. Diddy (then Puff Daddy),Lil kim, Drag-on, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Ras Kass, Ludacris, Royce Da 5'9", Shaquille O'Neal, and Da Brat. However, it would take him until 2004 to achieve a platinum, number-one record under his own name.
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 and Jamie Foxx. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and world R&B charts in early 2004, and eventually reached number 3 on the UK singles charts. Kamikaze built on the success of "Slow Jamz" to reach the top of the Billboard 200 album chart upon its release in January 2004 and went platinum by March 2004. The second single, "Overnight Celebrity", became another top 10 Hot 100 hit and a 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 U.S., perhaps because rapper Lil' Flip had a huge hit there at the same time with a different song of the same title.
Albums
Runnin' off at da Mouth (1991, as Tung Twista) (US Certification: Gold)
Resurrection (1994, as Twista) (Never officialy released outside of Chicago's underground)
Adrenaline Rush (1997) #77 US (US Certification: Gold)
Mobstability (with The Speedknot Mobstaz) (1998, as Twista) #34 US
Kamikaze (2004) #1 US, #19 UK (US Certification: Platinum)
The Day After (2005) #2 US (US Certification: Gold)
Adrenaline Rush 2007 (2007)
2012
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in the morning the sun don't seem to shine
I will stay here forever
Standing right by your side
You know they say (they say) that its all gonna end some day
So, right before it does (right before it does)
Let's make love (let's make love)
The last day on Earth, 2012
The end of the world, 2012
You'll be my man and I'll be your girl
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
Now they be telling me that these are the last days
Are we really that close to Armageddon
If living on the planet 'till this point has been hell
I survived 'cause I am legend
What if it's all about to be over
Then I'm gonna say you need to be my girlfriend
Hit the blunt after the world in the dim
Then you can get it in like the world fixin' to end
It's predicted by the ancient Mayan civilization
I don't want to see the world go soon
But with such a beautiful girl in the room
I want to be up in you when the world go boom
Get down with your body 'till it's lights out
Making love 'till the terminator come
Global warming is having a major effect
Comfort each other but we don't know which way to run
Mother Earth is about to go to another cycle
And I know that is about to end someday (someday)
Right before it does (right before it does)
Let's make love (let's make love)
Like tomorrow was 2012
The end of the world, 2012
The last day on Earth, 2012
You'll be my man and I'll be your girl
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
Tomorrow it's all about to be over
So I only live to serve ya
The dark is about to devour the Earth
So come and ride with the Silver Surfer
Now will it all in from the element
Of ether or artificial intelligence
As long as we both have the passion
The sex it just makes all the issues irrelevant
I know it's all about to go
So I just sit back and blow my dro'
(Right before it does)
Steady looking at the clock,
Before we suffer let me make your body rock
Having sex 'till the big bomb drops
Or 'till the planet go pop
2012, the last day on Earth
2012, the end of the world
2012, you'll be my man and I'll be your girl
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
2012
The song "2012" by Twista Ft. Tia London deals with the idea of the end of the world and what the two lovers would do if they knew it was coming. The lyrics are about living life to the fullest and making love like it's the last day on Earth. The song encourages the listener to enjoy each moment and appreciate their loved ones. In the chorus, Twista and Tia sing, "Let's make love like tomorrow was 2012, the last day on Earth, 2012, the end of the world, 2012. You'll be my man, and I'll be your girl."
The song also reflects on the predictions of the ancient Mayan civilization and the possibility of Armageddon. Tia expresses her desire to be with her lover before it all ends, saying she wants to "be up in you when the world go boom." The idea of global warming and the uncertainty of the future is also addressed in the lyrics.
Overall, the message of the song is to live life to the fullest and cherish the people you love before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
If tomorrow the world ends
In the event that the world were to come to an end
And in the morning the sun don't seem to shine
If the sun doesn't appear after the world ends
I will stay here forever
I will remain in this moment for eternity
Standing right by your side
Being present and supportive with a loved one
You know they say (they say) that its all gonna end some day
There's a belief that the world will eventually come to an end
So, right before it does (right before it does)
Just before the end actually occurs
Let's make love (let's make love)
Engage in a romantic and intimate act
Like tomorrow was 2012
Approaching the end of the world with a sense of urgency
The last day on Earth, 2012
The final occasion of Earth's existence
The end of the world, 2012
The point of termination for the planet
You'll be my man and I'll be your girl
A promise to love and support each other during a catastrophic event
Now they be telling me that these are the last days
There's a warning that we're approaching the end of the world
Are we really that close to Armageddon
Is the end of the world actually imminent?
If living on the planet 'till this point has been hell
If existence has been difficult up till now
I survived 'cause I am legend
I have persevered through difficult times
What if it's all about to be over
Considering the possibility of the impending end
Then I'm gonna say you need to be my girlfriend
Expressing desire for a romantic relationship
Hit the blunt after the world in the dim
Smoke marijuana after the apocalypse
Then you can get it in like the world fixin' to end
Engage in sexual activity before the end of the world
It's predicted by the ancient Mayan civilization
The Mayans prophesied the end of the world
I don't want to see the world go soon
I don't wish for the world to end quickly
But with such a beautiful girl in the room
Being enamored with a romantic partner
I want to be up in you when the world go boom
Wishing to engage in sexual activity during the apocalypse
Get down with your body 'till it's lights out
Having sex until the very end
Making love 'till the terminator come
Having sex until the end arrives
Global warming is having a major effect
The impact of global warming on Earth's stability
Comfort each other but we don't know which way to run
Providing emotional support in the face of an uncertain future
Mother Earth is about to go to another cycle
Earth is reaching the end of its current phase
And I know that is about to end someday (someday)
Awareness of the eventual end of the world
Tomorrow it's all about to be over
The end is imminent
So I only live to serve ya
Being devoted to a partner during their last moments
The dark is about to devour the Earth
The end of the world is near
So come and ride with the Silver Surfer
Facing the apocalypse along with a partner
Now will it all in from the element
Taking in all the sensations of the moment
Of ether or artificial intelligence
Possibly describing a transhumanist future
As long as we both have the passion
Sharing a strong emotional and physical connection
The sex it just makes all the issues irrelevant
Sexual activity can temporarily ignore the world's problems
I know it's all about to go
Awareness of the impending end
So I just sit back and blow my dro'
Taking time to relax and smoke marijuana
Steady looking at the clock,
Watching time slowly expire
Before we suffer let me make your body rock
Finding enjoyment in intimacy before the end
Having sex 'till the big bomb drops
Engaging in sexual activity up until the very end
Or 'till the planet go pop
Continuing with intimacy until the apocalypse
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARL TERRELL MITCHELL, SAMUEL C. LINDLEY, L. BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UltimatelyEverything
Tia London has a great voice
@sydneynicole5240
I wanna go back to when I first heard this song♥️
@vegitausa
Trax and Twista be putting down some of the coldest shit.
@hopefazekas394
This song should have way more Views
@diamondgotti9516
STILL LISTENING IN 2020 ESPECIALLY WITH THIS CORONAVIRUS STUFF GOING ON
@michaelhuang8163
Twista is perfect in this song My goddess!
@ladykutthroat
THIS IS MY ALL TIME NUMB 1 SONG ON REPEAT EVERYDAYYYY :)
@louregal99
I absolutely feel you. This definitely should have been a single that was promoted a lot.
@RighteousReflections144
this is one of twistas best songs
@windycity708773
twista tha man.....CHITOWN LEGEND keep it cumin playa