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)
I Do
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you should do you
Why you worried 'bout me
You need to worry 'bout you
You need to worry 'bout you
Yeah boy I do
And you should do you
And you should do you
Why-you-why-you worried 'bout me
You need to worry 'bout you
Yeah boy I do
Act-act-act-act a damn fool
Ball and I talk shit on every cut I do
(Yeah boy I do)
Dr-dress like it's my duty
The stitchin' in the pants match the brown in my Gucci
(Ya-ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
Blow-blow-blow one before court
Then pull up on your block in the new four door Porsche
(Yeah-yeah boy I do)
Talk-talk business on my cellular
Smoke a lot of weed and make money on the regular
(Yeah boy I do)
Be-be-be-be about mine
Take my cars to the club in a single file line
(Yeah boy I do)
Windy City campaign
Fuck the orange juice I mix the 'Tron with the champagne
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
A hundred thousand for the watch
A hundred thousand for the car
A couple thousand for the Glocks
(Yeah boy I do)
Get-get nice I do
See the way the outfit match up with ice I do
St-st-stay fuckin' with the crooks
Peel the backwood and mix the sour diesel with the kush
(Yeah boy I do)
Smoke-smoke out my perimeter
This Benz is so-so sick that they gonna have to take my temperature
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
Stay flooded like a star
Make the color of the diamonds match the color of the car
(Yeah-yeah boy I do)
Play-play a G-shock
If I'm in the club I got on the AP watch
(Yeah boy I do)
Stay-stay sipping on the Goose
Then throw twenties at the thickest one in here that's getting loose
(Yeah boy I do)
The da-the damn thing soon
As I get up in the motherfucking champagne room
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
Range Rover white body
White 24 Vellano's while you sitting on Asanti
(Yeah boy I do)
The tr-truck candy blue
Suede interior Killing them with the strut I do cause
No-nothing less than stacking dollars
And I stay looking fresh in nothing less than Parish and Prada
(Yeah boy I do)
I'm only fucking with ya boss
I ain't gotta break it down I just get it all off
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
Ma-ma-move-move with alarm
I'm not a shark in the water I'm a school of piranha
(Yeah boy I do)
In the Maybach on my iPad
Shut the curtain on the haters whenever I ride past
The lyrics to Twista's "I Do" reveal a confident and self-assured individual who is focused on their own life and success, rather than worrying about the opinions of others. The repetition of "You need to worry 'bout you" emphasizes this focus on self-improvement, while the boastful references to designer brands, expensive cars and watches, and lavish lifestyles suggest someone who has already achieved great success. Twista's use of repetition throughout the song is particularly effective in building a sense of momentum and confidence, as if the more he repeats "Yeah boy I do," the more convinced he becomes of his own abilities and achievements. The references to smoking weed also add to this sense of self-assuredness, as if the singer is unafraid of judgment or societal norms.
Overall, "I Do" can be seen as a celebration of individuality and self-confidence, with Twista emphasizing that he will continue to live life on his own terms, regardless of what others may think or say. The song suggests that true success comes not from worrying about others or trying to fit in, but from staying true to oneself and pursuing one's own goals and passions relentlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm doin' me
I am living life on my own terms
And you should do you
You should focus on your own life and not worry about mine
Why you worried 'bout me
Why are you concerned with my life?
You need to worry 'bout you
You should focus on your own life instead of mine
Yeah boy I do
I am living my best life
Act-act-act-act a damn fool
I act crazy and wild
Ball and I talk shit on every cut I do
I rap and talk big about myself on every song I make
(Yeah boy I do)
I am confident in myself
Dr-dress like it's my duty
I dress impeccably
The stitchin' in the pants match the brown in my Gucci
My clothing is high quality and stylish
(Ya-ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
I am proud of myself
Blow-blow-blow one before court
I smoke weed before going to court
Then pull up on your block in the new four door Porsche
I drive a fancy car to impress others
(Yeah-yeah boy I do)
I am arrogant about my success
Talk-talk business on my cellular
I discuss business deals on my phone
Smoke a lot of weed and make money on the regular
I smoke a lot of marijuana and still make money
Be-be-be-be about mine
I am serious about my goals
Take my cars to the club in a single file line
I show off my expensive cars when I go to the club
(Yeah boy I do)
I am proud of my lifestyle
Windy City campaign
I am promoting myself as a Chicago-based artist
Fuck the orange juice I mix the 'Tron with the champagne
I mix a cough syrup with champagne instead of orange juice
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
I am living my best life
A hundred thousand for the watch
I spend a lot of money on luxury items
A hundred thousand for the car
I have expensive cars
A couple thousand for the Glocks
I have expensive guns
(Yeah boy I do)
I am wealthy
Get-get nice I do
I am stylish
See the way the outfit match up with ice I do
My jewelry and clothing match perfectly
St-st-stay fuckin' with the crooks
I hang out with criminals
Peel the backwood and mix the sour diesel with the kush
I smoke marijuana and mix different strains
(Yeah boy I do)
I do what I want
Smoke-smoke out my perimeter
I smoke marijuana constantly
This Benz is so-so sick that they gonna have to take my temperature
I have a very nice car that people are impressed by
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
I am proud of myself
Stay flooded like a star
I have a lot of jewelry
Make the color of the diamonds match the color of the car
I coordinate my jewelry with my car
(Yeah-yeah boy I do)
I am confident in myself
Play-play a G-shock
I wear a G-shock watch
If I'm in the club I got on the AP watch
I wear an expensive watch when I go to the club
(Yeah boy I do)
I am wealthy
Stay-stay sipping on the Goose
I drink Grey Goose vodka often
Then throw twenties at the thickest one in here that's getting loose
I throw money at a woman dancing in the club
(Yeah boy I do)
I am arrogant about my success
The da-the damn thing soon
I am very excited
As I get up in the motherfucking champagne room
I am going to a VIP room to drink champagne
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
I am living my best life
Range Rover white body
I have a white Range Rover
White 24 Vellano's while you sitting on Asanti
I have expensive white rims on my car
(Yeah boy I do)
I am wealthy
The tr-truck candy blue
My truck is a bright blue color
Suede interior Killing them with the strut I do cause
My truck has a high-end interior and I show it off
No-nothing less than stacking dollars
I am focused on making money
And I stay looking fresh in nothing less than Parish and Prada
I always wear expensive, fashionable clothing
(Yeah boy I do)
I am confident in myself
I'm only fucking with ya boss
I only associate with successful people
I ain't gotta break it down I just get it all off
I make money easily and don't have to explain how
(Ya-ya-ya-yeah boy I do)
I am living my best life
Ma-ma-move-move with alarm
I am constantly hustling to make money
I'm not a shark in the water I'm a school of piranha
I am a group of people who are aggressive and competitive
(Yeah boy I do)
I am successful
In the Maybach on my iPad
I work on my iPad while sitting in my Maybach car
Shut the curtain on the haters whenever I ride past
I ignore people who are negative towards me and focus on my success
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bucks Music Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARL TERRELL MITCHELL, SAMUEL C. LINDLEY, DERREELLE DAVIDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind