Twista is the stage name of Carl Terrell Mitchell, an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. Born on November 27, 1973, he began recording under the name Tung Twista before shortening it to Twista. He became known for an unusually rapid, highly articulated delivery that placed him among the most recognizable practitioners of the "chopper" style in hip-hop.
Twista released his first single, "Mr. Tung Twista," in 1991. His debut album, Runnin' Off at da Mouth, followed in 1992 and introduced a forceful Chicago street-rap style built around dense rhyme patterns and fast vocal phrasing. His second album, Resurrection, was recorded for release in 1994, but label and marketing problems limited its distribution, leaving it with little national impact.
A major turning point came through his association with Chicago producer The Legendary Traxster and the group Do or Die. Twista appeared on Do or Die's 1996 hit "Po Pimp," a regional success that helped bring him to the attention of a wider audience. In 1997, he released Adrenaline Rush through Creator's Way, Big Beat, and Atlantic Records. The album combined ominous production with technically demanding verses and became his first nationally charting solo record. It also produced the single "Get It Wet."
Twista further developed his Chicago connections by forming Speedknot Mobstaz, a collective whose 1998 album Mobstability was produced by The Legendary Traxster. He also contributed to collaborative projects and compilation albums associated with the Legit Ballin' label during the late 1990s and early 2000s. These releases reinforced his reputation as an MC valued for precision, speed, and performance technique as much as for conventional pop appeal.
His commercial breakthrough arrived with Kamikaze in 2004. The album followed several years of work with artists including Kanye West and Ludacris and reached number one on the US Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Slow Jamz," paired Twista with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx and became a number one US hit. The song's relaxed, soul-influenced production contrasted with Twista's tightly packed verses, making his rapid delivery accessible to a mainstream audience. Other successful singles from the album included "Overnight Celebrity" and "So Sexy." Kamikaze remains the defining commercial achievement of his career and was certified double platinum in the United States.
Twista followed with The Day After in 2005, which included "Girl Tonite" with Trey Songz, "Hit the Floor" with Pitbull, and "So Lonely" with Mariah Carey. He continued releasing albums through the following decade, including Adrenaline Rush 2007, Category F5, The Perfect Storm, Dark Horse, and Crook County. In 2008, he launched Get Money Gang Entertainment, expanding his role beyond recording and performing.
Twista has also maintained a substantial presence as a guest artist, appearing on recordings by performers such as Mariah Carey, The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Tech N9ne, and numerous Chicago rappers. His later work includes the EPs Livin Legend, Withdrawal with Do or Die, Lifetime, and Shooter Ready. Across his career, Twista's lasting distinction has been the transformation of extreme vocal speed into a versatile musical tool, allowing him to move between hard-edged street rap, melodic R&B collaborations, and polished mainstream hip-hop without abandoning his Chicago identity.