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)
Heart Beat
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, Twista told you don't make him mad
You won't like me when I'm mad, I'm a motherfucking beast
Try nigga, imma ride nigga, you still alive nigga
Gon' die nigga, gon' drop, cause ain't no room at the top
Walk in the room like I'm 'Pac, bringing you doom when I rock
Its suicide nigga, blood stains nigga, nuts hang nigga
Yes I shot them with the pound, got them with the rounds
Hollow point to lay his motherfucking body on the ground
Now you breathing and shacking cold, hoping that god don't take your soul
With two bitch straps and a vest is just the only way to roll
Now if you don't wanna die, then I suggest you better try
Breathe hard, hold on to your life, fight nigga
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Be strong nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Don't die nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Be strong nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Don't die nigga, breathe nigga breathe
A demon in the club, got them leaning in the club
Hit them with the screwed voice, I got her screaming in the club
Pull up on the sista, according to the scripture
I'ma break 'em off again, when I met them off in the twista
Shit, I'm coming with the pistol, when I gotta kill 'em up
Apocalyptic imma get 'em, when I hit 'em up
Fill his body up wit holes, and the terror that will follow
Will have a nigga hit the deck, when I send it up
Put the pipe to your dome, I don't give a fuck about right from wrong
I get in the club, a nigga be feeling so bold
But if a nigga talk shit, I'll go right for the chrome
Then when you come back, come and see me do it worse
I'ma shoot the vehicle up put your body in a hearse
Bring you back alive like the bullets was a curse
Making the drive or put the ride in reverse
Don't wanna die again better get up in the wind
'cause a nigga kinda handy with the black four fin
Or I gotta hit him wit the millimeter nine or the rhyme
Either way it'll be a flat line
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Be strong nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Don't die nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Be strong nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
You still got a, heartbeat
They can take away your, heartbeat
Don't die nigga, breathe nigga breathe
You still alive nigga
You still alive nigga
You still alive nigga
Well gon' die nigga
"Heart Beat" by Twista is a song that portrays the rapper's violent and dominant side. The song starts with Twista warning someone not to make him angry because of the consequences that may follow. He claims that he's a beast when he's angry and that he'll do anything to protect his place at the top of the game. Twista describes himself as being like Tupac when he walks into the room and brings doom to his enemies. He does not shy away from using guns and violence to defend himself and his reputation, and he feels that this is the only way to stay alive in the rap game.
In the second verse, Twista continues with his aggressive tone, describing himself almost like a demon in the club. He takes pleasure in causing fear and chaos, and he is confident that he can take anyone down. He is not afraid to use his weapons and states that he is handy with the "black four fin," the "millimeter nine," or the "rhyme." As the song progresses, he repeatedly reminds his listeners to breathe and keep strong, even in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Heart Beat" is a song about dominance, power, and violence. Twista wants his listeners to know that he is not to be messed with, and that he will do whatever it takes to protect his reputation and his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Heartbeat, heartbeat, heartbeat, breathe nigga breathe
Take a deep breath now, because things are about to get intense and violent.
Oh, Twista told you don't make him mad
Twista warns anyone not to provoke him, as he becomes uncontrollable and dangerous when angry.
You won't like me when I'm mad, I'm a motherfucking beast
Twista's wrath is legendary, and he becomes a force to be reckoned with when he's riled up.
Try nigga, imma ride nigga, you still alive nigga
Twista challenges anyone who thinks they can take him down, warning that they are still breathing, for now.
Gon' die nigga, gon' drop, cause ain't no room at the top
Twista warns his competition that they will not survive his reign at the top of the rap game.
Walk in the room like I'm 'Pac, bringing you doom when I rock
Twista compares himself to Tupac, commanding respect and awe from those around him, while he brings down his enemies.
Its suicide nigga, blood stains nigga, nuts hang nigga
Twista is unfazed by the violence he inflicts, showing no mercy and taking no prisoners.
Bust them motherfuckers from my black, mustang nigga
Twista describes his ruthless kill streak while driving his black Mustang, which is his weapon and symbol of power.
Yes I shot them with the pound, got them with the rounds
Twista shot his enemies with a powerful firearm, taking them down with multiple rounds.
Hollow point to lay his motherfucking body on the ground
Twista chose to use hollow point bullets that spread upon impact, causing devastating damage and killing his enemies.
Now you breathing and shacking cold, hoping that god don't take your soul
Twista's enemies are left wounded, hoping for divine intervention to save them from death.
With two bitch straps and a vest is just the only way to roll
Twista recommends carrying two weapons for protection, along with a bulletproof vest in order to survive in the streets.
Now if you don't wanna die, then I suggest you better try
Twista offers a warning to those who seek to challenge him, suggesting that they must try harder if they want to live.
Breathe hard, hold on to your life, fight nigga
Twista commands his enemies to fight for their lives, breathing hard and holding on to their last breaths.
Can you feel your, heartbeat?
Twista asks if his enemies can feel their heartbeats, reminding them that they are still alive despite his violent assault.
You still got a, heartbeat
Twista confirms that his enemies are still alive, although barely hanging on.
They can take away your, heartbeat
Twista warns that his enemies can be killed at any moment, with no warning or mercy.
Don't die nigga, breathe nigga breathe
Twista encourages his enemies to breathe and stay alive, despite his relentless attack.
A demon in the club, got them leaning in the club
Twista shows his devilish side, taking control of the club and causing chaos among his enemies.
Hit them with the screwed voice, I got her screaming in the club
Twista uses a twisted voice to intimidate and scare his enemies, making them scream in fear.
Pull up on the sista, according to the scripture
Twista approaches a woman according to his own code and rules, which are not always accepted by others.
I'ma break 'em off again, when I met them off in the twista
Twista is known for being a ruthless and fearless rapper, not shy to take anyone down who stands in his way.
Shit, I'm coming with the pistol, when I gotta kill 'em up
Twista always keeps a pistol on hand, ready to use it to kill his enemies at any moment.
Apocalyptic imma get 'em, when I hit 'em up
Twista describes his violent and apocalyptic approach to killing his enemies, leaving nothing in his wake.
Fill his body up wit holes, and the terror that will follow
Twista destroys his enemies by filling their bodies with bullets, which will cause terror among others who dare to challenge him.
Will have a nigga hit the deck, when I send it up
Twista's reputation is so fierce that just the thought of him will make others hit the floor in fear.
Put the pipe to your dome, I don't give a fuck about right from wrong
Twista doesn't care about morality or ethics when it comes to taking down his enemies, using his gun to shoot them in the head.
I get in the club, a nigga be feeling so bold
Twista is confident and bold when he enters the club, knowing that he is a force to be reckoned with.
But if a nigga talk shit, I'll go right for the chrome
Twista warns anyone who talks trash about him that he will not hesitate to use his gun to take them down.
Then when you come back, come and see me do it worse
Twista challenges his enemies to come back and face him again, knowing that he will only become more ruthless with each encounter.
I'ma shoot the vehicle up put your body in a hearse
Twista plans to shoot up his enemy's vehicle, leaving them dead and needing a hearse to transport their body.
Bring you back alive like the bullets was a curse
Twista boasts that his bullets are so powerful they could bring his enemies back to life, if used in reverse.
Making the drive or put the ride in reverse
Twista suggests that his enemies take one of two routes: either drive away quickly or back their vehicle up in order to escape his wrath.
Don't wanna die again better get up in the wind
Twista laughs at those who want to avoid death by running away, knowing that they will not survive his pursuit.
'cause a nigga kinda handy with the black four fin
Twista brags about his skill with the gun, which is a deadly weapon he readily uses.
Or I gotta hit him wit the millimeter nine or the rhyme
Twista can either use a millimeter nine gun or his rap skills as weapons against his enemies.
Either way it'll be a flat line
Twista promises that no matter the weapon he uses, his enemies will ultimately end up dead and their heartbeats flatlined.
You still alive nigga
Twista confirms that his enemies are still breathing, barely hanging on to life.
You still alive nigga
Twista repeats this phrase to emphasize that his enemies are still barely holding on to life.
You still alive nigga
Twista repeats this phrase once again, reminding his enemies that despite his attack, they are still alive for now.
Well gon' die nigga
Twista warns his enemies that death is inevitable if they continue to challenge him, making it clear that he will be the one to take them down.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, JAMIE SCOTT, MARK TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind