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)
RPM
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shawnna kick hot shit for bitches that got they baby daddies locked
in the pen' gone; fittin to rock cause he did wrong
Run up on the cops and he hit 'em with the glock with his wig gone
Sellin rock on the big phone
In the projects niggaz run up on your set with the tech' out
Leave you wet with you chest out
Killer niggaz realer niggaz have a nigga fill a never realer nigga
Fuck that! Nigga bust back, we in the 'Llac
Me and my bitches all strapped
Puffin the sack and we be sippin on 'gnac
Fittin to react, and pop a nigga for them stacks (OOH-OOOH!)
Niggaz I'm with they put the fifth to your whole melon
Now with the murderers are known felons
I gotta pop a nigga drop a nigga rock a nigga shock a nigga
Lock a nigga fuck a nigga, cop the floppin nigga
Roll for my bitches that be droppin in the strip clubs
Tryin get 'em a lil' somethin
If you gotta take it off, take it off like a boss for the big ones
Then you get you a big gun
Motherfuckers from the Chi like to put it yo' eye if it's on bitch
Put it straight to yo' dome heads
Now you fuckin with them gangsters, ballers, hoes, hustlers
Bangers - niggaz that with them real motherfuckers like whoa!
[Chorus 2X: Ludacris]
It's real real - on the block I been up for days
I gotta keep the steel steel - in case a nigga want to get in the way
So now what's the deal deal? On the street you got nothin to say
So when I see him I'ma get him (WHAT!) drill him (WHAT!)
Fill him fill him (WHAT WHAT!)
[Twista]
Twista kick hot shit for hoes and thugs
in ghettoes and clubs that get crunk; for my homies locked down
to whoever hurtin in the hood and ballers with 22's on big trucks
To my thugs that call over to they mob
And to the hustlers that be servin hydro and cocaine
To my niggaz that ain't hoes; if they have to
they will steal a nigga touch a nigga check a nigga cut a nigga
Pull the trigger bust a nigga, yellow motherfucker nigga
Ready to fill and spill a drink, I'm drunk go and weed it up
And I'm talkin about go like I'm smokin the bone
full of some shit that damn sho' wouldn't seed it up
Got you fillin the hole then go see your body
probably reanimated with all my Legit Ballaz rollin up
Up the streets stuffed the beats
So you see them Navigators, Escalades, Benzes,
Beamers, Excursions - bumpin systems TV's and them 20's spinnin
Mob for them niggaz that done up off them hard times
K-Town, West side, South side
Murder us for the money that's why I'm known to kick a hard rhyme
Whatever set you represent throw it up
If you buck or crunk then take yo' motherfuckin shirt off
Dealers get your work off; you want to party
full of hustle niggaz killer niggaz gangsta niggaz chill niggaz
Baller niggaz thug niggaz player haters real niggaz
[Chorus]
[Shawnna]
I'ma kick hot shit for bitches up in the industry tryin to compete me
I'm from the hood South side, West side
where niggaz'll put a motherfuckin slug in my enemy
Motown, Pucketown, do or die
The difference between a motherfuckin thug and a gangsta
One's thug in a chamber
Get a nigga stick a nigga put him in a ditch and then forget a nigga
Hit a nigga puck a nigga little with the rocker nigga
Puff that say you love that
We in the 'Llac and put the lemon in the 'gnac
Remy and sacks that got me scummy in the back
Puffin the raps that got me layin out slacks
and it's speakin like, "Wow, that, blunt let me hit the weed"
Cause I been feelin like
fuck a nigga bust a nigga Shawnna never love a nigga
Chi about to show the motherfuckers how to rush a nigga
Crush that put it on momma
On everything I got e'rything for the drama, puff marijuana
To the Shawnna and put it on ya
Flows who you froze in a comma
We so relentless, you know Chi up in the business
Flows in yo' dome in an instance
Hoes and them folks and the Mo's and the ki's and the fo's
and the BD's and lows and the fiends and the hoes and God!
[Chorus - repeat 2X]
The lyrics to Twista's song RPM featuring Shawnna describe the harsh realities of life growing up in the streets of Chicago. Shawnna raps about women left behind by their incarcerated baby daddies, forced to fend for themselves and resorting to selling drugs for survival. The danger of the life they lead is depicted through lyrical references to gang violence, confrontations with the police and the use of firearms. Twista picks up where Shawnna left off, rapping about life in Chicago for everyone from the ballers to the drug dealers. Through his lyrics, he paints a picture of a city marked by violence, where people have to be prepared for anything at any time. The chorus, repeated twice, speaks to the need for vigilance and the use of firearms as a means of self-defense in the face of danger.
The lyrics to RPM are a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of violence in urban communities, particularly in Chicago. The song speaks to the realities faced by countless people living in low-income neighborhoods, where crime rates and gun violence are high. The song's message is gritty and unapologetic, portraying the brutal reality of what it's like to live in neighborhoods often forgotten by those in power. Through its lyrics, RPM shines a light on the struggle faced by many and the importance of survival in such harsh circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Shawnna kick hot shit for bitches that got they baby daddies locked
in the pen' gone; fittin to rock cause he did wrong
Shawnna raps to empower women whose significant others are in jail. She is ready to take control of the situation and do what needs to be done.
Run up on the cops and he hit 'em with the glock with his wig gone
Sellin rock on the big phone
In this violent world, drug dealers have no escape. They sell drugs, carry guns and have to fight the cops. Life is a constant struggle.
Killer niggaz realer niggaz have a nigga fill a never realer nigga
Drill a nigga fuckin with a villain never spill a nigga
Certain people in this life are not to be messed with. They are dangerous, have reputations and will not hesitate to take someone out. We should be cautious around them.
Me and my bitches all strapped
Puffin the sack and we be sippin on 'gnac
Shawnna enjoys the company of other women who are armed and dangerous. She likes to smoke weed and drink cognac with them for a good time.
Motherfuckers from the Chi like to put it yo' eye if it's on bitch
Put it straight to yo' dome heads
People from Chicago are not afraid to use violence to show how serious they are. They will kill and have no mercy.
Twista kick hot shit for hoes and thugs
in ghettoes and clubs that get crunk; for my homies locked down
Twista raps about the struggle in the ghetto and the people who are trying to make it out. He also keeps in mind his friends who are in jail.
To my thugs that call over to they mob
And to the hustlers that be servin hydro and cocaine
Twista acknowledges and appreciates those who are involved in illegal activities to survive, such as drug dealing.
Up the streets stuffed the beats
So you see them Navigators, Escalades, Benzes,
Beamers, Excursions - bumpin systems TV's and them 20's spinnin
In a world where poverty is prevalent, there are still those who have money and like to show it off with fancy cars and impressive sound systems. This serves as status symbols.
I'ma kick hot shit for bitches up in the industry tryin to compete me
I'm from the hood South side, West side
where niggaz'll put a motherfuckin slug in my enemy
Twista is in the rap game and trying to outshine other talented women. He is madly loyal to his neighborhood and will not hesitate to hurt his enemies.
The difference between a motherfuckin thug and a gangsta
One's thug in a chamber
There is a big difference between a thug who is popular for his ruthless image and an actual gangster who is a member of a gang. The latter is more lethal.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BRIDGES, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN BRIDGES, SHONDRAE L CRAWFORD, RASHAWNA GUY, CARL TERRELL MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shobanhenryhand1204
2022 and this still slaps.. always loved her flow
@jordanolafson80
Facts!
@day196
True
@mz.necie1976
Yasssssss 🙌🏾
@natashamontgomery1018
Still one of the most slept on female rappers period.
@StarrReign
I still have this c.d. When Shawnna first hit the scene I just knew she was going to take off and make history. Shes definitely one of the dopest female MC's. So underrated. Listening to this song makes me miss my twenties. So many memories.
@DubYaJsWorld
Know you old talking about a CD🤣 I feel you though...good times
@StarrReign
@Dub-Ya J's World Old?? Well damn😕
@theplipmeister5593
I have this on the disturbing the peace presents cd number 8
@dckat1
I've been following Shawnna since "Infamous Syndacite". She has always had bars, flow, and sexy. Definitely under rated in the industry.