Twista
Twista raps his way to fame Chicago style
by Andy Argyrakis
Though Chicago’s very own member of the hip-hop hierarchy Twista didn’t earn mainstream fame until earlier this year, his influence on the underground urban scene is immeasurable. Since his 1997 major label debut Adrenaline Rush dropped, he’s been called by the likes of Ludacris, P. Diddy and Timbaland for collaborations, shared the stage with R. Kelly and tag teamed on several occasions with fellow local Kanye West. That slowly building momentum has most recently translated to 2004’s Atlantic Records release Kamikaze, an album that features the smash single “Slow Jamz,” solidifying Twista as the world’s fastest rapper by the Guinness World Book of Records. Here’s more from a candid phone conversation with the West Side native on his rise to recognition and place in the current rap/R&B scene.
SOAK: You’ve always been respected locally, but with “Slow Jamz” hitting number one on Billboard, it’s taken you to a whole new level. Did you ever expect Kamikaze to do so well straight out of the starting blocks?
Twista: I thought it would have been more of a slow build, because over the years I was mostly accepted as an underground artist. I used to think as long as I did what I wanted to do and sell a certain amount of records that would allow me to do it again, then I was all good. Plus, I had the sophomore jinx on this record, so that made me a little more nervous. When it came out and was accepted, it was almost a total shock.
SOAK: What elements on the record account for it being embraced by the public at large?
Twista: I’d say it’s the melodic feel. A lot of people sample drum patterns and add in all sorts of tricks, but I just base a lot of my music on the rhythms. If someone is in a mood to feel something, they can feel the mood of a song regardless of the language they speak. Having a big record’s definitely exposed me to a broader audience.
SOAK: How does it feel to have fans beyond just rap and hip-hop jump on board?
Twista: It’s crazy but fun, man. I like the whole thing that different people react to my music, especially after being in the hood for so long. It’s cool that someone chilling in Japan thinks my music’s off the hook or people from anywhere are feeling it. It gives you a major adrenaline rush, man.
SOAK: What was the process of finding collaborators for the project like?
Twista: It was definitely a lot of fun because I had pretty much worked with all of them before. I basically took people I knew and asked them to be on my album - guys like Ludacris, who I’d done stuff with before, or R. Kelly, who I had shows together with. I knew even before the project the guys I wanted in, so it was just natural to call them up and see what they wanted to do.
SOAK: How does having a partner in songwriting differ from working alone?
Twista: You got an extra person there to help with ideas. You can jump off with somebody, but it’s also a little bit about competition. You want to do as good or better than the other person, which is a different vibe than if you’re doing it solo.
SOAK: Explain what it’s like translating your songs into music videos.
Twista: I actually go into writing a song with the outcome of a video in mind. Sometimes I just write it straight out, but most of the time I picture how the lyrics could be acted out. Then when it’s time to make the video, it’s no problem to translate to the screen because the idea’s already been sketched out.
SOAK: Was making the “Slow Jamz” video really as fun as it looks on TV?
Twista: It wasn’t like a full out party cause we were working so hard, but the scene itself at the party was because it had my cousins, my brothers and stuff. We were all in good spirits.
SOAK: What’s it like preparing your songs to translate to the stage?
Twista: Actually man, I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s natural. Some like to get in character, but what you see on stage is just me. I may be eating food before or saying a quick prayer, but then I hit the stage and burn it up.
SOAK: I’ve been most impressed by the speed at which you rhyme in concert. How do you get the phrases out so quickly?
Twista: It’s all about the syllables and words. You might say it’s about forming a lyrical rhythm. You can change the rhythm of how you say a word and pop it better. You’ve just got to get the words out clear and quick.
SOAK: What advice would you give to those trying to speed up their rapping?
Twista: Really you can only do what your body is capable of. I would suggest making sure you put together words that you know how to say and pronounce together, and then keep getting quicker with them until you can’t speed it up no more.
SOAK: Why has sticking close to your Chicago roots been so important to you?
Twista: Because that’s me and it expresses me. I love Chicago and I want people to hear me rap and perceive me as being from Chi-town. You’ll rarely hear a verse that doesn’t have me mention my love for my hometown. I’ll never move, maybe get a chill-out house somewhere, but this is where I’ll stay.
SOAK: What are some of your favorite things to do in town when you’re just chilling?
Twista: I like to drive around through the hood, see people I haven’t gotten the chance to see. I like to eat at restaurants downtown, sometimes hit Navy Pier, the zoo or Museum of Science and Industry. Sometimes I’ll take it to a club, whatever man, as long as it’s creative.
SOAK: What’s on deck next for you?
Twista: Well, I’m on the road and I’m getting ready for my next album to drop first quarter next year. Since I took so long off between the last two, my plan is to stay consistent and stay positive. I’ve been told that no matter what level of fame you hit, you’re not the man, just the man of the moment. I’m just gonna keep doing my thing and try to take that moment with me.
|
|
