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)
Birthday
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Repeat:x8]
Somebody in here it's you're birthday
Somebody in here it's you're birthday
Somebody in here it's you're birthday
Everybody move like it's you're birthday
Birthday
Mama go break it down on you're birthday
Birthday
Celebrate girl nobody can compare with you
Birthday in January s she Aquarius
So they say they say that pussy got miles like Darius
But she look better then most chicks in her area
Shorty don't wanna like me like g
Only fucking with the thugs and the white G's
Birthday February so I'm pieces
Its the fish tales in long island ice teas
The song "Birthday" by Twista is about celebrating the birthday of a woman who is the center of attention. The chorus repeats eight times, announcing that someone in the venue is celebrating their birthday, and inviting everyone to dance as if it is their own special day. The first verse focuses on a woman who was born in January and is an Aquarius, a sign often associated with independence and eccentricity. The lyrics suggest that this woman is alluring and sexually confident, with a reference to her "pussy" being compared to the length of NBA player Darius Miles' strides. However, she is also described as being more attractive than other women in her vicinity.
In the second verse, Twista talks about another woman whose birthday is in February, making her a Pisces. The lyrics mention her fondness for fish tales, presumably referring to both the zodiac sign's symbol of two fish swimming in opposite directions and the cocktail named Long Island Iced Tea that contains many different types of alcohol. The verse also includes a reference to the woman being selective in her romantic interests, preferring "thugs and white G's," which could be interpreted as men who are streetwise and possibly involved in criminal activity.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody in here it's you're birthday
There is someone in this gathering who is celebrating their birthday
Everybody move like it's you're birthday
Everyone should dance as if it's their own birthday
Mama dance on you're birthday
Mom, show off your moves on your special day
Mama go break it down on you're birthday
Mom, dance energetically and with great passion on your birthday
Celebrate girl nobody can compare with you
Celebrate girl, no one can compete with your special day
Birthday in January s she Aquarius
Her birthday is in January, making her an Aquarius
So they say they say that pussy got miles like Darius
According to rumors, she has a lot of sexual experience like Darius has a lot of basketball experience
But she look better then most chicks in her area
Despite her rumored sexual history, she is physically attractive compared to other women in her location
Shorty don't wanna like me like g
She does not want to like me like a gangster
Only fucking with the thugs and the white G's
She only associates with criminals and white gangsters
Birthday February so I'm pieces
My birthday is in February, making me a Pisces
Its the fish tales in long island ice teas
There are exaggerated stories being told over Long Island iced teas
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARLIN BONDS, CARL TERRELL MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DeziyahMoore
Happy birthday to me 🎉🎉🎉🎉 1/23 ♒️♒️♒️♒️♒️
@reginaturner9252
Aquarius Here🎉😊
@DestinyDaMac
Happy Birthday Tooo Meeee 2/22 🎉🎉🎉 ♓️
@setsedivad3378
Had to turn this on for 35!! ♉️
@hunddahunny8442
Love this song never heard it,before.lts on my birthday play list now,thanks twist
@latishabrown9298
Mine too
@hunddahunny8442
Ikr
@catherinebates6326
Listen to this every year on my birthday today is my birthday
@sburris2023
I listen to it every year on my birthday too. 🙌🏾
@harleyq1244
Lol me too!! Tomorrow is my birthday!!