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)
Still Po Pimpin
Twista Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you wanna smoke my B (Ooh)
Never can't you take my G's
My (Ooh)
Ain't trippin' got to split up the front
Approach you with a limp while I hit on the blunt
Your pager goin' off (oh, that ain't nothin')
Blow to the bone as I clicked on somethin'
Tryin' to cut me up, yeah the trick's on somethin'
The corner of the party where the niggas stay bumpin'
This is for the gin and the hen in my stomach
I'm lookin' at the do' females still comin'
Lookin' to my left and the B's still comin'
Lookin' to my right and the drinks still comin'
Tryin' to shake the dice but the girl lookin' cunnin'
Circlin' the do' where the money start runnin'
Took a pause, hey y'all whats up
Head hunters in the double-R, is it a double car
Pulled over to the car
So I, asked Proceeds, to pass the B's, no bitch
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Wanna be like P-I, M-P, hoes, plenty
Comin straight from the Windy
Choppin' up tens and twenties, mm!
Lean back in the corner with the dob hat
Now my nature is to ball like a democrat
In the club with hoes, and I suppose
That I've been chose, the nigga with the hoodrat
Mm, mm, mm, mm, got it down pat
You call her what you want or even all that
I been taught by the best, so put it to rest
And I confess, I'm here just to ball black
Gettin' paid in the game bend a row free
Flip a penny to a dime I'm like an O-G
Go to the mall, with all of y'all
Show you some cash, now, tell me what you want B
You can ride or just smoke in the Cadillac
AC, windows down, with the top back
From a Caddy to Lex' to Rolex
I'm a put in a roll, tell me could you top that?
Ever though I'm makin' money in a row friend
Nickle dime if no fiend don't approach me
If you do, we could have sex, in the Caddy or Lex
But keep on the low-key
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna ride with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P, well a motherfucker used to say I might be broke
But now I'm stackin' C-notes, still dope
Different strokes, same folks, hangin' from a rope
Me and Do or Die just try to cope
Sit back and like a picture take a toke
Take a stroll through the hood
It's some haters but it's still all good
Roll up another bad boy, playa pimpin' to the groove
In the place to be to see who I can choose
Now it's time for me to make a move
Shorty what's the deal?
I done seen your sexy walk on the Pharcyde
So don't be "Passin' Me By"
I'm a nigga with peas and I ain't stingy with the trees
We could be some freaks and both of our ass could be high
Fiends drip, ours is full of octane
With pimp status and a hot name, we don't gotta pop thangs
No more servin' the rock 'caine, the night-game
Flippin' flows like hoes which is a drop-game
It's like, aw suki suki now, lookie here
Stick a phrase while I trades on my hog road
Divine words form the pimp scroll
Get the bitch if I'm walkin' and she peepin' that my limp's cold
See a playa po' trippin',
Peepin' the Mediterranean try to play me in slow-vision
Picture how I'm mackin' cold women
Bendin' and grinnin my hair spinnin'
While we smokin' on Henny, still po pimpin'
Do you wanna ride, slip-slide in your thighs
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh
Do you wanna ride, slip-slide in your thighs
Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Do you wanna rock with me?
Do you wanna smoke my B's?
Never could you take my G's
I'm a Po P-I-M-P
Whoa ooh!
Do you wanna ride with JP
Do or Die, whoa oh
"Still Po Pimpin" by Twista is a rap song with lyrics that are emblematic of the hip hop culture. The song explores the life of a pimp with the lyrics revealing the code, lifestyle, and business of a pimp. The song is divided into three verses with each verse focusing on different aspects of the life of a pimp. The first verse speaks about the approach a pimp takes when seeing a potential client. The second verse speaks about the lavish lifestyle associated with pimping. The third verse offers a summary of the pimp lifestyle, its rules, and its struggles. Throughout the song, the terms used such as "rock with me," "smoke my B's," "G's," "Po PI MP" and "ride" allude to the horde of slang associated with the hip hop culture.
In the first verse, Twista asks the lady he is eying if she wants to spend time with him, smoke his weed and have fun. He refers to his money as G's, and expects the woman to pay him to spend time with him. He uses clever wordplay to demonstrate how he approaches women through his unique style; presenting himself as a limping man who is ready to get high with the woman. In the second verse, Twista talks about the benefits of living a luxurious lifestyle, indicating that he acquires everything he wants and lives life to the fullest. Lastly, in the third verse, he outlines the principles of a pimp, and highlight's the typical struggles. The segment emphasizes the need for privacy and anonymity to maintain one’s clean status.
The song captures the spirit of a gritty lifestyle with the lyrics portraying the actuality of the culture. Through its strong lyrics and rhythmical prowess, the song has gained a notable following, especially among hip-hop enthusiasts. It serves as a cultural display of the tenets and guidelines that pimps use to run a successful business.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you wanna rock with me? (Yeah, ooh)
Asking if the person wants to hangout with Twista and have a good time.
Do you wanna smoke my B (Ooh)
Asking if the person wants to smoke some weed with Twista.
Never can't you take my G's
Twista explaining that nobody can take his money or gangsta attitude.
My (Ooh)
Showing off his swag.
Ain't trippin' got to split up the front
Not worried about anything and splitting the front of his hair in a cool way.
Approach you with a limp while I hit on the blunt
Walking with a pimp limp and smoking a blunt.
Your pager goin' off (oh, that ain't nothin')
Not being bothered by the sound of a pager going off.
Meet me at the crib bout 2, stop frontin'
Asking the person to come over to his house at 2am instead of pretending they're too busy.
Blow to the bone as I clicked on somethin'
Being high as he clicks on something.
Tryin' to cut me up, yeah the trick's on somethin'
People trying to outsmart him but failing.
The corner of the party where the niggas stay bumpin'
Describing where the party is the litest.
This is for the gin and the hen in my stomach
Drinking gin and Hennessy at the party.
I'm lookin' at the do' females still comin'
Watching attractive women come through the door.
Lookin' to my left and the B's still comin'
Seeing people bring in a lot of money.
Lookin' to my right and the drinks still comin'
Not running out of alcohol to drink.
Tryin' to shake the dice but the girl lookin' cunnin'
Trying to play a game but being distracted by an attractive woman.
Circlin' the do' where the money start runnin'
Standing by the door and watching people come in with a lot of money.
Took a pause, hey y'all whats up
Stopping for a moment to greet everybody.
Head hunters in the double-R, is it a double car
People who are looking for money in the Rolls-Royce.
Pulled over to the car
Stopping next to the car.
So I, asked Proceeds, to pass the B's, no bitch
Asking for more weed to smoke.
Wanna be like P-I, M-P, hoes, plenty
Wanting to be a pimp with a lot of women.
Comin straight from the Windy
Coming from Chicago.
Choppin' up tens and twenties, mm!
Breaking down money into small bills for convenience.
Lean back in the corner with the dob hat
Relaxing with a fedora hat.
Now my nature is to ball like a democrat
Having a natural tendency to spend money extravagantly.
In the club with hoes, and I suppose
Being in the club with a lot of women.
That I've been chose, the nigga with the hoodrat
Being chosen by a woman who doesn't have a lot of money.
Mm, mm, mm, mm, got it down pat
Being confident and skilled in everything he does.
You call her what you want or even all that
He allows dudes to call his woman whatever they want.
I been taught by the best, so put it to rest
Learning his craft from the best pimp.
And I confess, I'm here just to ball black
Being honest about his desire to live lavishly.
Gettin' paid in the game bend a row free
Making money in the game without getting caught.
Flip a penny to a dime I'm like an O-G
Making a lot of money with just a small amount of investment.
Go to the mall, with all of y'all
Going to the mall with his crew.
Show you some cash, now, tell me what you want B
Showing off his money and asking what his company wants.
You can ride or just smoke in the Cadillac
Going for a ride or smoking weed in the Cadillac.
AC, windows down, with the top back
Driving with air conditioning on but with the windows down.
From a Caddy to Lex' to Rolex
Progressing from owning a Cadillac to a Lexus to a Rolex watch.
I'm a put in a roll, tell me could you top that?
Buying expensive things and asking if others can match him.
Ever though I'm makin' money in a row friend
Making money frequently.
Nickle dime if no fiend don't approach me
Making money off of small amounts even if there are no addicts.
If you do, we could have sex, in the Caddy or Lex
Having sex in his car.
But keep on the low-key
Keeping their activities a secret.
Whoa ooh!
Exclaiming with excitement.
Do you wanna ride with JP Do or Die, whoa oh
Asking if the person wants to ride with him and JP Do or Die.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY BERNARD ROUND, CARL MITCHELL, DARNELL SMITH, DENNIS ROUND, LEROY WILLIAMS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind