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 Iβve 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 Iβm back and that Iβm true to the game. Musically, I want to show that Iβm still out here doing my thing. After all the people that were out when I was out years ago fell off, Iβm still out here competing with the shorties. I also want to gain platinum success. Itβs something that I havenβt 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)
Hustla
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break it down slow, Take it down ohh
Said I?m a hustla by any means boy I don?t play
If they don?t give me what I wants I goes the other way
I?m ridin dirty, dirty I'm ridin swore to god I?ma ball each day
So come prepared I ain't neva scared they gone let my ?
Yea!
Twista
I got whatever you want I got whatever you need I?m a hustla from the sha I can flip that
Billion dolla niggas with the billion dolla looks when them niggas got kush ?
Used to be able to come up off it?
Used to be able to get elbow for the 6 now mother fuckers want 8 (shit)
I?m supposed to honor number but I know a nigga who a killa who don?t give a damn might just
Come at you for the ? I?ma have to do you in cause you chargin me middle man prices
I remember when we to break the bitch now it?s a recession we got to wait for the lick
For the kush they want 6 for the ounce and they want 28 for the brick
Now how the fuck am I gonna get rid of these them two I?m hopin them go soon
Dude said he can't cop em I want too much and I don?t even ? no room
I gotta get it how I gotta get it even if I?m breakin down (dope) Break it down (slow) Take it down (oh)
Chorus
Said I?m a hustla by any means boy I don?t play
If they don?t give me what I wants I goes the other way
I?m ridin dirty, dirty I'm ridin swore to god I?ma ball each day
So come prepared I ain't neva scared they gone let my?
Twista
Rollin with a pistol ?? In a room at the Ramada getting down in the streets
Hustlin hard takin what you can get , but you steady reminiscing on 50,000 a week
A playa mode is about how to look good and different methods on how to cut that hoe
Hustle mode is if the cocaine cook good and different methods on how to cut that dough
Had to ? because it used to be cool you trusted him and now you gotta go to court
Cause he gave you the money and when he drove off he called you and told you he was short
That?s some shit that could?ve got you killed listen to it when the rap tunes real
Put the bitch on the plane with a couple of pounds that you can't smell cause its vacuum sealed
Take off a quarter then smoke in order they choke I cut it open they collapse from the scent
Pop it all off for 600 an ounce I?m get to smoke for free and get back what I spent
I gotta get it how I gotta get it even if I?m breakin down (dope) Break it down (slow) Take it down (oh)
Chorus
Said I?m a hustla by any means boy I don?t play
If they don?t give me what I wants I goes the other way
I?m ridin dirty, dirty I'm ridin swore to god I?ma ball each day
So come prepared I ain't neva scared they gone let my?
The song "Hustla" by Twista is about the lifestyle of a hustler who will do anything to get ahead. The lyrics of the song are an honest portrayal of the struggles faced by people who work hard to make a living. Twista, who hails from the city of Chicago, raps about the harsh reality of the streets and the drug game.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the fact that Twista is a hustler by any means necessary. He doesn't play by the rules and will go the other way if things don't work out. The second verse talks about the risks associated with hustling, including getting arrested and facing court trials. The lyrics suggest that the drug game is not glamorous and that people who choose to hustle do so because they have no other option.
Twista's lyrics paint a picture of the drug game as a dangerous world where violence and betrayal are common. The chorus reinforces that idea by emphasizing the need to be prepared and never scared. Ultimately, the message is that the hustle is not just a choice, it is a way of life for some people.
Line by Line Meaning
Break it down slow, Take it down ohh
Lower the pace and take things slowly
Said I'm a hustla by any means boy I don't play
I'm a hustler no matter what and I take this business seriously
If they don't give me what I wants I goes the other way
If people don't agree to my terms, I won't hesitate to find another deal
I'm ridin dirty, dirty I'm ridin swore to god I'ma ball each day
I'm moving around with illegal goods, but I'm determined to succeed and make money every day
So come prepared I ain't neva scared they gone let my ?
Be ready to handle any situation because I'm not afraid to make a move
I got whatever you want I got whatever you need I'm a hustla from the sha I can flip that
I have access to any product you desire and I am a skilled hustler who can make a profit from it
Billion dolla niggas with the billion dolla looks when them niggas got kush ?
Rich people with flashy lifestyles love to smoke expensive marijuana
Used to be able to come up off it?
It was easier to make a profit from drugs in the past
Used to be able to get elbow for the 6 now mother fuckers want 8 (shit)
The price for drugs has risen, and buyers now demand higher prices
I'm supposed to honor number but I know a nigga who a killa who don't give a damn might just
I should respect the price for drugs, but I know someone who is violent and may not follow the rules
Come at you for the ? I'ma have to do you in cause you chargin me middle man prices
My violent associate may harm you if he thinks you're overcharging me as a middleman
I remember when we to break the bitch now it's a recession we got to wait for the lick
It was easier to make quick money in the past, but now due to the economic recession, it's harder to find opportunities
For the kush they want 6 for the ounce and they want 28 for the brick
Drug dealers are asking for higher prices for marijuana due to an increase in demand
Now how the fuck am I gonna get rid of these them two I'm hopin them go soon
I'm struggling to sell my drugs, and I hope to find a way to do it soon
Dude said he can't cop em I want too much and I don't even ? no room
A potential buyer refused to purchase my drugs due to high prices, and I have nowhere to store them
Rollin with a pistol ?? In a room at the Ramada getting down in the streets
I carry a gun with me for protection and I'm conducting business in hotel rooms and on the streets
Hustlin hard takin what you can get , but you steady reminiscing on 50,000 a week
I'm doing my best to make money, but I'm constantly thinking about my past success of earning 50k a week
A playa mode is about how to look good and different methods on how to cut that hoe
Acting like a player is all about fashion and finding ways to manipulate and control women
Hustle mode is if the cocaine cook good and different methods on how to cut that dough
A true hustler knows how to make the best of the cocaine they have and how to maximize profits
Had to ? because it used to be cool you trusted him and now you gotta go to court
I had to take legal action because someone I trusted turned on me and left me in a bad situation
Cause he gave you the money and when he drove off he called you and told you he was short
He gave me less money than we agreed upon and left me with the difference to make up myself
That's some shit that could've got you killed listen to it when the rap tunes real
These are real-life situations that can be dangerous, and people should pay attention when rappers talk about it in their music
Put the bitch on the plane with a couple of pounds that you can't smell cause its vacuum sealed
I smuggled drugs by placing them in vacuum-sealed bags to hide their scent during transport
Take off a quarter then smoke in order they choke I cut it open they collapse from the scent
I cut open the drugs I sell to ensure that buyers are not being cheated, and this often results in a strong scent overpowering them
Pop it all off for 600 an ounce I'm get to smoke for free and get back what I spent
I sell drugs for $600 per ounce, but I smoke some for myself and make back what I spent on the product
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL VINCENT AIELLO, PIERRE DEVON JONES, CARL TERRELL MITCHELL, NICHOLAS M. WARWAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DilemmaSTS
My favorite song off the album!!
thenaisme
This beat is sick.
Andrew P
twista flip the script on this hook... real G shit!
AnTonio Mafioso
I LUV THIS!!!
vegita_usa
I was so glad he came out with this album cause it lacked all that commercial bullshit that be holding artist down. This the Twista that I know!
Bob Anderson
Goat
ShesKRenee
now thats the twista i love!!!!!
Geoff Rayment
@tungw0w Twista is one of the best out there! I can't wait for his 2012 album, will be awesome.
Timm Wh
Lovin this shit still in '19
tumelo France
Go twista!,Dope shit